Mags winning Skyball
What to do.
There are many issues that have to be addressed with the recent success of X-mags at Skyball. It seems ironic that 10 years ago the dominant semi-autos on the scene were mags and cockers, ten years later, the basic workings of both these guns haven't necessarily changed, they have just been updated. So, as tons of companies try to enter the paintball market and come and go, some things never really change - quality always shoots straight - now only faster! more reliable, quiter, lighter, cooler... etc.
There is no point promoting something and creating the demand if you can't get it. I understand there is quite a wait for x-mags right now. That has to change somewhat, no matter how good the x-mag is, people are impatient and usually want something asap. I have been waiting for my x-mag for 8 months. I was on the verge of buying a E blade cocker until Jon from airguns phoned me and said my mag was on its way. Airguns needs to step up production.
As for running ads, I think the new ads should reflect the scene, not necessarily one tournament. The marker is awesome, but if there are only 500 markers out there, you are always gonna be limited to how often a team is gonna win with an x-mag. Airguns needs to capitalize on this situation fast. While there is a buzz about the gun, Airguns needs to get markers out there as fast as possible. Could you imagine what could happen if there were substanially more teams shooting x-mags? What happens if Airguns goes another 4 years without winning a major tourny? (I don't know what airguns record for winning majors, I am just playing devils advocate to illustrate a point.)
I think airguns as a company needs to come up with an overall strategy, not just a recent tourny result - although it could be incorporated into an ad campaign. Marketing can be a huge burden to a company both financially and with manpower. My suggestion to Tom Kaye is to get a general idea of re-inventing his company from a marketing standpoint - all the products rule. Look at Smart Parts. SP used a marketing firm to re-invent their look and to market new products, look at where they are today as to 5 years ago.
Everyone needs to convey to Tom why they are die hard Mag fans. Reliablility, simplicity, accuracy, efficiency, customer service, etc. Come up with a general marketing campaign of sorts. Then, approach a local college that has a marketing program and offer the students to design a campaign for the company. It is FREE and usually pretty fast - students need to complete stuff by the end of their semester. Students love to design stuff for the real world, that they can potentially see their work out there. They can also use it for thier portfolio, maybe Tom will hire a student?
I think a play on the old company saying is cool like I mentioned:
Quality always shoots straight - only now faster!
Something along these lines. It will appeal to old mag owners which may re-intorduce them to new airgun products as well as peak interest to new cusomters.
Anyhow, thats my two cents, I really hope Airguns gets it together because their products really rock.
What to do.
There are many issues that have to be addressed with the recent success of X-mags at Skyball. It seems ironic that 10 years ago the dominant semi-autos on the scene were mags and cockers, ten years later, the basic workings of both these guns haven't necessarily changed, they have just been updated. So, as tons of companies try to enter the paintball market and come and go, some things never really change - quality always shoots straight - now only faster! more reliable, quiter, lighter, cooler... etc.
There is no point promoting something and creating the demand if you can't get it. I understand there is quite a wait for x-mags right now. That has to change somewhat, no matter how good the x-mag is, people are impatient and usually want something asap. I have been waiting for my x-mag for 8 months. I was on the verge of buying a E blade cocker until Jon from airguns phoned me and said my mag was on its way. Airguns needs to step up production.
As for running ads, I think the new ads should reflect the scene, not necessarily one tournament. The marker is awesome, but if there are only 500 markers out there, you are always gonna be limited to how often a team is gonna win with an x-mag. Airguns needs to capitalize on this situation fast. While there is a buzz about the gun, Airguns needs to get markers out there as fast as possible. Could you imagine what could happen if there were substanially more teams shooting x-mags? What happens if Airguns goes another 4 years without winning a major tourny? (I don't know what airguns record for winning majors, I am just playing devils advocate to illustrate a point.)
I think airguns as a company needs to come up with an overall strategy, not just a recent tourny result - although it could be incorporated into an ad campaign. Marketing can be a huge burden to a company both financially and with manpower. My suggestion to Tom Kaye is to get a general idea of re-inventing his company from a marketing standpoint - all the products rule. Look at Smart Parts. SP used a marketing firm to re-invent their look and to market new products, look at where they are today as to 5 years ago.
Everyone needs to convey to Tom why they are die hard Mag fans. Reliablility, simplicity, accuracy, efficiency, customer service, etc. Come up with a general marketing campaign of sorts. Then, approach a local college that has a marketing program and offer the students to design a campaign for the company. It is FREE and usually pretty fast - students need to complete stuff by the end of their semester. Students love to design stuff for the real world, that they can potentially see their work out there. They can also use it for thier portfolio, maybe Tom will hire a student?
I think a play on the old company saying is cool like I mentioned:
Quality always shoots straight - only now faster!
Something along these lines. It will appeal to old mag owners which may re-intorduce them to new airgun products as well as peak interest to new cusomters.
Anyhow, thats my two cents, I really hope Airguns gets it together because their products really rock.
I second that!!! MST3K, I have been watching that for many many years!
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