Toy Trains & Addvertising!

[eZAK]

Do you think that our hobby would/could benefit from more addvetisment?
Such as what Dell and Ford are doing.

Examples;

'Buy this car and get a train!'

'Ride Amtrak twice in one year & get a free toy train!'

'Use your (insert toy train co.) credit card and earn free train points.'

You get the picture!
So what do you think?
Would any of these work?
Would this make you buy a product?
Any other suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Of course our hobby would benefit from more advertising. But I feel that the top O-gauge maker's don't advertise enough in the mass media because it would only benefit Lionel. After all, it's Lionel that has the only brand recognition outside of the hobby. Not many newcomers or returnees to the hobby walk into a hobby shop during the Holidays and ask for a NON-Lionel Starter Set!
But that's just my opinion.
BillFromWayne
www.modeltrainjournal.com

[daan]

I thinkit's arelief not being drwn into all kinds of offers which involves toytrains. Of vourse advertizing does it, but a show is allready one very big advertizement, and they are, at least in Holland, very popular, also to non trainminded people..

[Anonymous]

I think advertising would benefit the hobby. It may help out Lionel since it is more widely recognized, but I am sure some of the prices will drive new buyers to other companies. Most "newbie" posts start with: I found my dad's old trains so I need help setting them up, cleaning them, getting them to work, etc.. It seems like a lot of people need to see their trains to think about them or want to use them. I believe that if companies would come up with an advertising campaign, a lot more people would get into the hobby. It may not be like fans like some of us, who customize, build, fix and so forth but I think the companies would sell more. When ever little kids or adults see me fussing with my trains (Repairing, oiling) either in the back yard or in the house, two things happen: the kids want to touch the trains (the parents are too embarrased to ask) and the parents say they always thought about getting their kids a train set (a good excuse to be able to get them for themselves). [2c]

Angelo

[Anonymous]

The awnser may very well come when "Polar Express" is released in the movie theaters. Nobody is better at marketing than Hollywood, and if Lionel can tag along with their set as part of the merchendiseing plan, quite possibly model trains could become mainstream real fast.

[MartyE]

In Pittsburgh, MTH regularly advertises on the radio here. They buy spots during the Pirate game pre shows on Sunday and run more during the holidays. There was also a few cable TV commercial running last year as well.

[FJ and G]

Wise advertising, perhaps.

But, IMO, even better would be for, say Lionel, to offer an author a publishing commission to write a series of children's books (and perhaps screenplays) that feature kids, dogs, and Lionel trains.

I'm game.

dav

[Anonymous]

Lionel did offer children's books a few years ago. The books came as part of a package deal whick included the book, a narrative audio cassette tape and a battery powered locomotive featured in the story. The stories were based around actual trains, for example the SP's Daylight, UP's Big Boy, B&O's Presidential, and a PRR torpedo locomotive (which was very close in apperence to the prewar model.) Unfortunately, these books appeared around the same Thomas the Tank Engine was peaking at it's popularity and as a result could not compete.

[FJ and G]

Notch,

Just goes to show there are no new ideas.

Also, timing is everything!

[Anonymous]

Dave:

If you're game, better watch out for all of the hunters out there!!! [:D]

Where's my gun??? [:D]

Tony