Response for Doug about marketing

[Lolac]

I e-mailed Doug regarding the lack of advertising and promotion for the DVD on DVD sets. I asked him what Image was thinking. His response:

oh yes. more mystery. i cannot imagine what they are thinking. as you said,
this should have been the upbeat positive comedy event of the year (right
after the election of a bodybuilder/actor as the governor of california)

i'm going back to ny sunday and plan to meet with the head of TVLAND -
perhaps we can get them to promo thru my website or something.

it's really as if they WANT it to fail to prove to me their theory that it
was a bad idea.

Lolac

(at Image, not Doug)

[SawgrassSteve]

Originally posted by Lolac
this should have been the upbeat positive comedy event of the year... it's really as if they WANT it to fail to prove to me their theory that it
was a bad idea.

See what I mean? Who are these people who decide that marketting a digitally remastered, uncut, uniterrupted, multiple Grammy Award-winning, classic TV series, in it's entirety is a bad idea ???
(I promise to keep this rant short)
You know, now and then, I mention our little message board here on Sitcoms Online to people in general conversation. I've always been responded to with a smile. And the comment is usually something like, "Yeah, that was a great show. One of my favorites. I still watch it whenever I come across it."
I just don't know who these TV/marketting executives are talking to.

Steve

[B&W fan]

Ditto to both of you, and Doug. It is really annoying and even frustrating (bordering on infuriating) to see the lack of marketing for this product. I still can't believe someone in a position of authority hasn't seen fit to get commercials on TVLand or Nick@Nite.

B&W "I'd better stop now before I write something I'll regret" fan

[B&W fan]

A few days ago I was pretty strong in my comments about the lack of advertising/publicity of this set. I mentioned that any number of people close to the DVDS or the making of this set shared in the blame for a lack of promotion. I mentioned Image, WMA, Brownstein, Doug, TVLand, and even Dick, Mary and Carl.

Now, maybe I've underestimated the "power" of some of these people/entities to get the word out, but I think not. So here's my question: Don't you guys think that IF someone like Dick or Mary or Carl went to TVLand and "pushed their weight around", so to speak, they could have gotten some commercials to air about the upcoming release? Or couldn't TVLand, knowing it's close relationship over the years with Dick and Carl, have taken it upon themselves to promote this set just a little?

I think we can all agree that Image has no excuse. And if WMA and Brownstein were "legally" involved in making this set a reality, I'd think they have to share in some blame as well.

Whether or not Doug (who I still like and want to support - in spite of his "disappearing act" at times), or any other individuals haven't done their part, I guess that's a subjective call. But overall, we can all agree this set has NOT been marketed as it should have been.

B&W "still steaming over this, but at the same time looking forward to the first two seasons arriving in my mailbox next week" fan

[SawgrassSteve]

Originally posted by B&W fan
Don't you guys think that IF someone like Dick or Mary or Carl went to TVLand and "pushed their weight around", so to speak, they could have gotten some commercials to air about the upcoming release?

B&WFan, from what I've learned about business over the years, here's how it works:
Dick and Carl have ownership in the show, so brisk sales of these sets would be in their favor, financially. Mary, although definately associated with the show forever in the mind's of it's fans, has no financial interest in the show, and would therefore only benefit from from promoting it by being paid to do so. From her agent's viewpoint, I'm sure, she's not about to give away a valuable endorsement for free. That's fair.
Of course, depending on her fee, that paid endorsement could raise the cost of promoting the sets considerably, so here's what I'd do if I were Dick or Carl; hit the talk show circuits with Mary (letting them pay her). Also I'd do a 30 second TV commercial with some clips from the show and some slick editing to make it look like the characters are promo-ing it themselves, then, if sales pic up, do paid, taped commercials with Mary, if you like. That way, she's always onboard, and word gets out economically.
Am I in the wrong business or what?

Steve

[B&W fan]

Steve,

Thanks for that clarification. It really did help. So if I understand you correctly, you believe Dick and Carl *could* be doing more to promote (with the understanding that we are not privy to all the facts).

It just seems to me more could be done on any number of fronts, whether it be Image or Brownstein, or some of the people associated with the show itself.

B&W "I just seriously hope this lack of promotion does NOT lead to a premature cancellation of the plans to give us all 5 seasons" fan

[SawgrassSteve]

Originally posted by B&W fan
So if I understand you correctly, you believe Dick and Carl *could* be doing more to promote (with the understanding that we are not privy to all the facts).

Yes, B&WFan, I'd say they could. But remember, people who've already "made it" in business, and are comfortable, have a lot less drive than those who are up and coming, or are still struggling. Dick and Carl are wealthy gentlemen, well past their retirement age, and probably not hungry for this show to do well -- again. They've got nothing more to prove.
That's probably why things are being handled by agents and agencies. Their interst, however, is only about 15% - 20% of the net receipts. So, in a world of multi-million dollar salaries, which WM's client's earn regularly, their probably not seeing this project as a potential cash cow. Still, it could do well - enough to sell all 5 seasons - but somebody has to have the fortitude to get out there and pound the pavement and promote this thing!

Steve

[B&W fan]

Originally posted by SawgrassSteve
Yes, B&WFan, I'd say they could. But remember, people who've already "made it" in business, and are comfortable, have a lot less drive than those who are up and coming, or are still struggling. Dick and Carl are wealthy gentlemen, well past their retirement age, and probably not hungry for this show to do well -- again. They've got nothing more to prove.
That's probably why things are being handled by agents and agencies. Their interst, however, is only about 15% - 20% of the net receipts. So, in a world of multi-million dollar salaries, which WM's client's earn regularly, their probably not seeing this project as a potential cash cow. Still, it could do well - enough to sell all 5 seasons - but somebody has to have the fortitude to get out there and pound the pavement and promote this thing!

Steve

Steve,

Again, thanks for that info. I agree with you completely.]

I guess the only thing that disappoints me is that I'd like to think Dick and Carl wouldn't be motivated by money on this project, but would instead simply want to see these sets suceed just for their fans' sake. In other words, I'd hope that it isn't about whether or not they earn big returns, but rather about giving their loyal fans what they want.

B&W "I'd like to believe that if I were in their shoes, I'd be promoting this thing to death just for the sake of wanting to see my show get the great dvd treatment it deserves" fan

[Lolac]

Originally posted by B&W fan

I guess the only thing that disappoints me is that I'd like to think Dick and Carl wouldn't be motivated by money on this project, but would instead simply want to see these sets suceed just for their fans' sake. In other words, I'd hope that it isn't about whether or not they earn big returns, but rather about giving their loyal fans what they want.

B&W "I'd like to believe that if I were in their shoes, I'd be promoting this thing to death just for the sake of wanting to see my show get the great dvd treatment it deserves" fan

Oh, B&WFan, How I love your idealism!! Keep it up! That type of idealism is what keeps us from sinking into the abyss as a society. I am so glad there are people like you out there. Unfortunately, I think Steve is all too right. It is a matter of money. Sigh. How sad.


Lolac

[B&W fan]

Originally posted by Lolac
Oh, B&WFan, How I love your idealism!! Keep it up! That type of idealism is what keeps us from sinking into the abyss as a society. I am so glad there are people like you out there. Unfortunately, I think Steve is all too right. It is a matter of money. Sigh. How sad.


Lolac

Lolac,

Thanks for the kind words. I am an idealist, but I hope no one thinks I'm naive or some kind of modern day pollyanna, because I'm not. I knew what Steve wrote was true, I was just thinking out loud about how I wished things were (and how I sincerely believe I would approach this subject if I were in Dick's or Carl's shoes).

B&W "7 days and counting..." fan

[Lolac]

Originally posted by B&W fan
Lolac,

Thanks for the kind words. I am an idealist, but I hope no one thinks I'm naive or some kind of modern day pollyanna, because I'm not. I knew what Steve wrote was true, I was just thinking out loud about how I wished things were (and how I sincerely believe I would approach this subject if I were in Dick's or Carl's shoes).

B&W "7 days and counting..." fan

Amen. I wish things were the way you describe as well. I'm glad there are people in this world like you! 6 more days!!! Can you believe it!?

Lolac

[John Sterren]

Gee, Dougie isn't too self-obsessed, is he? Can't you just see the promotion guys over at Image Entertainment?:

================================

PROMO GUY #1: We really need to push these Van Dyke sets. Poeple love this era, it's a great show, and we've done a great job with the product. So here's what I propose:

1) Ads on TV Land and maybe some of the other nostalgia channels.

2) Ads in TV guide magazine.

3) A Van Syke reunion show with lots of mentions of our sets, and commercials too, of course --

PROMO MANAGER: HOLD IT! HOLD IT! If we do these things, we might sell thousands of copies!

PROMO GIRL #1: Isn't that what we want?

PROMO MANAGER: And make Dougie Denoff look good. No way!! Better to lose money than do that.

=========================

Doug Denoff is a jerk, a fool and these beautiful sets -- delivered to my door this morning from DVD Empire -- exist IN SPITE of Denoff, not because of him. If the project was still in his hands, all of us would still be checking the dickvandykeshow.com website to see what the status of DVD on DVD is.

[B&W fan]

Originally posted by John Sterren
Gee, Dougie isn't too self-obsessed, is he?

Doug Denoff is a jerk, a fool and these beautiful sets -- delivered to my door this morning from DVD Empire -- exist IN SPITE of Denoff, not because of him. If the project was still in his hands, all of us would still be checking the dickvandykeshow.com website to see what the status of DVD on DVD is.

John, you don't post too often on the boards, and I'm not trying to flame you or anything, but I've got to say that you seem to post mostly negative, almost hateful things, quite often.

I've got to ask - Do you know Doug personally? Are you, or were you, privy to conversations between Doug, Mr. Brownstein, and WM over the last 3 years?

If the answer to these questions is "NO", then I don't see where you get off making those almost slanderous remarks about Mr. Denoff.

THE facts are these: Mr. Brownstein did NOT think a DVDonDVD season set would sell. Doug knew it would. There was alot of legalities in the negotiations, and Doug got the short end of the stick. But had it not been for his vision and desire to see this set come to fruition, I'm quite sure we wouldn't be looking forward to these dvds right now!

Therefore, rather than ripping him, I think we all owe him a debt of thanks for getting the vision and idea for this set birthed!

B&W "thanks Doug!!!" fan

[Lolac]

Originally posted by B&W fan

Therefore, rather than ripping him, I think we all owe him a debt of thanks for getting the vision and idea for this set birthed!

B&W "thanks Doug!!!" fan

Amen, B&WFan!!! Why does the world have to have such mean people in it? Thank goodness for people like you.
Enjoy your day tomorrow!


Lolac

[John Sterren]

Why does the world have to have such mean people in it?[/QUOTE]

Coming from a fan of George W. Bush, that's really funny!