Marketing the Brand

[Mark Phelan]

Jim,

Love my cameras. Love the accessories. Love the company. You know I'm there with you, right? An observation, an opinion if you don't mind. I like the fact that RED is on the vanguard and pushing the envelope in all directions, that's a huge part of what we all like about the company and the wild ride. My momma always said RED was like a box of chocolates. I digress.

One observation about the new products is the labeling of everything. Not the markings like 1/4" here, directional arrows there. That's fine. I especially like the fun markings, like what Brook has done with the FMJ, "Caution, Jet Blast", etc. That's fun and should be encouraged. No, it's the labeling of every, single, item, as, if, we, can't, figure, out, what, they, are, so, they, have, to, be, labeled, so, we, know, what, they, are, sort of thing. When it's all put together, it's going to look like the back of a Buick with the dealer's emblem emblazoned across the trunk, along with the black plastic frame that shows their name and their website address, etc. Too much! It don't need to say "RED PRO Universal Quick-Release System" on BOTH sides of the gadget. By the time one has all the parts assembled, it's pimpin', distracting and a touch condescending, almost like a McDonald's cash register that doesn't use words, but symbols because the employees are too dense to understand. "Oh, so THIS is a RED PRO Universal Quick-Release System mount". A little restraint in this area would be appreciated. But only in this area, keep the rest of the silly nonsense at full steam ahead. That part I dearly love!

 

[David Battistella]

Mark,

I appreceiate you r post.

Not long ago there was a thread started about where to get a RED logo tatoo.

The apple on the back of my Macbook is pretty large, but it blends in.

I'm loyal to brands, but I don't really like wearing them.

RED, well, RED is another story.

Maybe this thread could evolve into what the best brands and wordmarks are.

I like how the high end brands keep things simple and sexy.

PRADA
GUCCI
ARMANI
BMW
mercedes benz
AUDI - i like that brand a lot

Red's style is much more military.

Hummers
tanks
GI joe
bombs
tactical
recon
bomb squad

So most of the stuff feels like it is taken from a stencil that you would spray on to a military vehicle or something

David





David

 

[Mark Phelan]

David, I understand. I'm a gadget guy like most folks here. And I enjoy the rugged design. Matt is doing some crazy, amazing design work on everything. I love my two RED PRO Universal Quick-Release System mounts, they work very well. I would simply prefer it to not say it three times on the item. The other thing that is the "RED PRO" on everything. It seems a bit, compensating? That really has no reason for being. RED has proven itself many times over, and calling the gear pro is fine, but what happens is each of these items are going to be part of a kit. When they all scream RED PRO on every exposed surface, it brings too much attention to the whole and becomes a distraction. Once or twice on the kit is fine, multiplied by every bit and piece is too much.

If it were in embossed in black, like on the lenses, then it would be better, imho. But I'm sure that's a manufacturing impossibility on most of the items, so maybe in matte black for contrast against the gloss surface? Food for thought.

 

[Elsie N]

I'm guessing that since there are many third party accessories out there, RED just wants to make sure everyone recognizes when they are using a RED built product?

 

[R Fogg]

+1,000,000,000,000

currently using much black paper tape on my red products.

Jim,

Love my cameras. Love the accessories. Love the company. You know I'm there with you, right? An observation, an opinion if you don't mind. I like the fact that RED is on the vanguard and pushing the envelope in all directions, that's a huge part of what we all like about the company and the wild ride. My momma always said RED was like a box of chocolates. I digress.

One observation about the new products is the labeling of everything. Not the markings like 1/4" here, directional arrows there. That's fine. I especially like the fun markings, like what Brook has done with the FMJ, "Caution, Jet Blast", etc. That's fun and should be encouraged. No, it's the labeling of every, single, item, as, if, we, can't, figure, out, what, they, are, so, they, have, to, be, labeled, so, we, know, what, they, are, sort if thing. When it's all put together, it's going to look like the back of a Buick with the dealer's emblem emblazoned across the trunk, along with the black plastic frame that shows their name and their website address, etc. Too much! It don't need to say "RED PRO Universal Quick-Release System" on BOTH sides of the gadget. By the time one has all the parts assembled, it's pimpin', distracting and a touch condescending, almost like a McDonald's cash register that doesn't use words, but symbols because the employees are too dense to understand. "Oh, so THIS is a RED PRO Universal Quick-Release System mount". A little restraint in this area would be appreciated. But only in this area, keep the rest of the silly nonsense at full steam ahead. That part I dearly love!

 

[Josh Snyder]

This is the only thing I guess I dislike in the RED products or accesories. These products are for professionals, why is there tutorials printed on the accesories to tell user what screw goes into what hole?

 

[Jonathan Stevenson]

I've had several people on shoots say to me "Wow, Red really likes to put their name on everything" when I am prepping the Epic. I honestly don't mind it, but yes, it seems a bit overkill at times. I just chuckle and usually say, "Yep, they sure do!"