NavyCop wrote:
Learn from what? Black Friday they called the Gold "Chase" figures "Super Rare" and the feeding frenzy began, not that its hard to set it off that day. I think the marketing team does exactly what they are paid to do, clear shelves. If they can find ways to help show their largest accounts like Target/Gamestop/etc that through marketing tactics that they can spin the collectors in to buying everything out quickly they get yet more money from the large retailers. The funny part is this is toy marketing 101, you never want to release the production size on an item you want to hype.
Come on! Even the staunchest of Funko supporters has to admit this could have been handled better. Even Funko has admitted it apparently.
I don't mean to come across as confrontational, but the marketing team is clearing shelves? The targets near me do not have clear shelves in the Funko area by any stretch of the imagination. They have mounds of commons, most of which have been available at other stores for several weeks, that are not moving because everyone comes in there for the exclusives, see none, and then leave. To be perfectly honest, if I found a Batman exclusive, I would actually be more likely to buy something else so explain that one to me!?! It's one thing to drive traffic, but quite another to drive traffic that actually results in a sale. Collectors buying everything up is simply not happening so the brilliant marketing tactics you speak of don't seem to be working very well for my Targets. And if that is the case nationwide, which I think it is, it could have the opposite effect because Target will see this initiative as a bust and end their partnership with Funko or reduce their orders. That's probably a long way from happening and I hope it doesn't, but that is what I mean by learning from their mistakes. Funko acknowledged the Target Batman could have been handled better and hopefully the next one will be.
Also, I couldn't care less if they don't release production sizes or if all this is marketing 101. I guess breaking from the status quo isn't allowed, eh?
NavyCop wrote:I for one applaud the Funko Marketing team, they have shown this collector community never really learns. Its awesome for the large retailers to see, its just tough to watch newer collectors keep getting sucked in.
Not really sure what you mean here...it's late, might just be a brain cramp.
NavyCop wrote:Before i get flamed im not being negative, i like watching Funko expand and this is how you do it. Get the largest retailers to keep taking exclusives and support their sales through incredible marketing.
It's not about being "negative", it just irks me when people act like the companies they support can do no wrong. I support Funko as much as anyone here (financially at least
), but that doesn't mean they are above reproach. In my opinion, the hype machine alienated exactly who you say this was aimed at...collectors. Personally, I think this whole thing had the casual fan in mind, not collectors, because that is probably where Funko can stand to expand the most (aside from new licenses). Let's be honest, except for exclusives, not many collectors are going to Target and Walmart for their Funko products. In most cases at these stores, stock is inconsistent and unorganized, box condition is often an issue, and most employees are not knowledgeable about the product at all. The expanded sections at Target and Walmart may have been an attempt to change the mindset, but I don't think that was accomplished, do you? At least not yet.
Also, I have said this before and I firmly believe it...Funko really needs to decide what it wants to be - a company who makes toys or a company who makes collectibles - BEFORE they expand too rapidly. If it's the former, rapid expansion is probably the direction they need to take and gaining a larger footprint in Target and Walmart makes sense. If the latter, rapid growth is likely not the right path because big box retailers like Target and Walmart will not have their best interests in mind and they could end up getting a bad reputation with their core customer - collectors - as a result of the retailers' decisions.
Anyway, rant over. Nothing personal so I hope you don't take it that way. Just my perspective.
Is target still getting these? Still can't find one.
