How to market the K-01

**spartan** · 02-25-2012, 07:13 AM

The K01 is certainly controversial. I will not pass judgment on the design as I am notoriously not a good indicator for mainstream taste. However, One thing I do like about the K-01 is the fact that pentax did NOT introduce another lens system. However, due to Kmount compatibility it is a thick body. Some key messages need to be conveyed in selling this camera

1) The APSc sensor is bigger and better
2) Bigger sensors mean bigger lenses with longer focal lenghts
3) Compare cameras with the lenses on it. No one buys a camera without lenses.
4) the K-01 is about the same size as the Sony NEX, SS, etc with a lens attached. The lens dominates.
5) There are XS lenses that will make this system as small as possible (please introduce a XS 18-55 zoom to eliminate any depth difference).
6) discount a DA 21 +K01 package. the new 40mm is nice but the FL is a bit too long.
7) there more lenses available with this ILC than any other ILC on the market. Flaunt it.
8) The K-01 is listed under ILC at B&H photo. The vast array of lenses will be listed in the dSLR section at B&H so someone may not get the message that the K-01 has a vast array of lenses. Can a link be provided? relist the lenses?

I had an interesting exchange with a Canon fanboy on the K-01

Digital cameras, point & shoot

Docrwm · 02-25-2012, 08:15 AM

That assumes that Pentax USA will actually do any marketing.

jogiba · 02-25-2012, 09:48 AM

Originally posted by Docrwm

That assumes that Pentax USA will actually do any marketing.

I hope Pentax doesn't waste a dime on marketing, it's now 2012 and if you have K-mount lenses and don't know about the K-01 then you must be in a coma. There are enough Pentax K-mount 35mm SLR/DSLR users on the planet to make the K-01 a great seller since we are in the internet age. Facebook has almost a Billion users today compared to 0 in early 2004.

PENTAX | Facebook
https://twitter.com/#!/PentaxForums

Ricoh has a large sign in Times Square and I bet you will see the K-01 on it this spring.

JFN · 02-25-2012, 10:19 AM

Why should they market it on specs? From what I've seen so far the USP's are:

1. It's designed by some fancy industry designer
2. Comes in different colors
3. It's great for video, even has a "groundbreaking" dedicated "short cut" button for video mode

Sounds like Apple methods to me... (Apple _never_ market on specs...).

**spartan** · 02-25-2012, 10:44 AM

THen you can buy the V1 or Q if specs dont matter and simplicty does.

JFN · 02-25-2012, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by spartan

THen you can buy the V1 or Q if specs dont matter and simplicty does.

It's never about the product, everything is about the positioning and how you market it, and market on specs would make sense would it be a high end body aimed at gearheads, but from what they've communicated so far I don't get the feeling that K-01 is aimed for that target group, instead it seems to be aimed towards a more trend sensitive target group, and they don't buy on specs..

jogiba · 02-25-2012, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by JFN

It's never about the product, everything is about the positioning and how you market it, and market on specs would make sense would it be a high end body aimed at gearheads, but from what they've communicated so far I don't get the feeling that K-01 is aimed for that target group, instead it seems to be aimed towards a more trend sensitive target group, and they don't buy on specs..

BS, the K-01 specs way better than the K-5 in video specs and video is trending way past stills in 2012. I see many are still living in the past so if you want to stay there then so be it.

Rupert · 02-25-2012, 11:39 AM

My idea was to do all the advertising in Braille and Market to every Home for the Blind on earth. If they can't see how ugly it is, and surely need no viewfinder, it is bound to be a big hit?

More seriously, despite my personal feelings, I hope the K-01 finds some success, I am often reminded in my old age just how out of touch I am with the "Modern World", and may just get another lesson with the K-01. Any gamblers out there?

Best Regards!

JFN · 02-25-2012, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by jogiba

BS, the K-01 specs way better than the K-5 in video specs and video is trending way past stills in 2012. I see many are still living in the past so if you want to stay there then so be it.

I don't talk about me, I talk about how marketing actually works. And even if it specs better etc. doesnt matter, has nothing to do with marketing/positioning etc.

**dadipentak** · 02-25-2012, 12:01 PM

Originally posted by spartan

How to market the K-01

I'd suggest ads with beautiful and scantily-clad women.

**monochrome** · 02-25-2012, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by dadipentak

I'd suggest ads with beautiful and scantily-clad women.

Taken with a K-01. And the video . . .

robgo2 · 02-25-2012, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by JFN

It's never about the product, everything is about the positioning and how you market it, and market on specs would make sense would it be a high end body aimed at gearheads, but from what they've communicated so far I don't get the feeling that K-01 is aimed for that target group, instead it seems to be aimed towards a more trend sensitive target group, and they don't buy on specs..

Agreed, but there may be more than one target group. In any case, I would like to see Pentax take a page out of Apple's marketing playbook with something along the lines of the "Think Different" campaign. Of course, it didn't hurt when Apple brought out the revolutionary iPod. I don't think that the K-01 is revolutionary, but it is unique.

Rob

Rupert · 02-25-2012, 05:32 PM

Gentlemen.....we are talking about Marketing? If there is any appreciable Marketing from Pentax it will signal a new direction, without doubt. My local hardware store does more Marketing in my small town that Pentax did in America last year. In my local tiny Metroplex of 4 Million +people, there is not a Pentax camera to be seen anywhere for sale that I am aware of....and even less Marketing...if that is possible. Maybe you guys know something I don't?
Regards!

Clicker · 02-25-2012, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by dadipentak

I'd suggest ads with beautiful and scantily-clad women.

That only raises other issues

JFN · 02-25-2012, 05:45 PM

On the product page, the first thing you read is this:

"When is a camera more than a photographer’s tool? The answer is when it’s an object designed by Marc Newson, one of the most acclaimed and influential contemporary designers. The PENTAX K-01 marks the intersection where high technology and high design meet."

And a picture of a yellow K-01 ...

Then next thing you get is this:

"Marc Newson Design
Gorgeous contemporary styling by world renowned designer Marc Newson features bold lines and colors, rounded corners, and soft, rubberized accents for a “timeless, trusty, and touchable” appeal."

It's pretty obvious that this camera is aimed at a certain target group....

02-25-2012, 07:13 AM	#1
spartan Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NJ, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 428	How to market the K-01 The K01 is certainly controversial. I will not pass judgment on the design as I am notoriously not a good indicator for mainstream taste. However, One thing I do like about the K-01 is the fact that pentax did NOT introduce another lens system. However, due to Kmount compatibility it is a thick body. Some key messages need to be conveyed in selling this camera 1) The APSc sensor is bigger and better 2) Bigger sensors mean bigger lenses with longer focal lenghts 3) Compare cameras with the lenses on it. No one buys a camera without lenses. 4) the K-01 is about the same size as the Sony NEX, SS, etc with a lens attached. The lens dominates. 5) There are XS lenses that will make this system as small as possible (please introduce a XS 18-55 zoom to eliminate any depth difference). 6) discount a DA 21 +K01 package. the new 40mm is nice but the FL is a bit too long. 7) there more lenses available with this ILC than any other ILC on the market. Flaunt it. 8) The K-01 is listed under ILC at B&H photo. The vast array of lenses will be listed in the dSLR section at B&H so someone may not get the message that the K-01 has a vast array of lenses. Can a link be provided? relist the lenses? I had an interesting exchange with a Canon fanboy on the K-01 Digital cameras, point & shoot

02-25-2012, 09:48 AM	#3
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	Originally posted by Docrwm That assumes that Pentax USA will actually do any marketing. I hope Pentax doesn't waste a dime on marketing, it's now 2012 and if you have K-mount lenses and don't know about the K-01 then you must be in a coma. There are enough Pentax K-mount 35mm SLR/DSLR users on the planet to make the K-01 a great seller since we are in the internet age. Facebook has almost a Billion users today compared to 0 in early 2004. PENTAX \| Facebook https://twitter.com/#!/PentaxForums Ricoh has a large sign in Times Square and I bet you will see the K-01 on it this spring. Last edited by jogiba; 02-25-2012 at 10:00 AM.

02-25-2012, 10:44 AM	#5
spartan Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NJ, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 428 Original Poster	market on specs... THen you can buy the V1 or Q if specs dont matter and simplicty does.

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02-25-2012, 08:15 AM	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	That assumes that Pentax USA will actually do any marketing.

02-25-2012, 10:19 AM	#4
JFN Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Golfe du Lion Photos: Gallery Posts: 362	Why should they market it on specs? From what I've seen so far the USP's are: 1. It's designed by some fancy industry designer 2. Comes in different colors 3. It's great for video, even has a "groundbreaking" dedicated "short cut" button for video mode Sounds like Apple methods to me... (Apple _never_ market on specs...).

02-25-2012, 10:55 AM	#6
JFN Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Golfe du Lion Photos: Gallery Posts: 362	Originally posted by spartan THen you can buy the V1 or Q if specs dont matter and simplicty does. It's never about the product, everything is about the positioning and how you market it, and market on specs would make sense would it be a high end body aimed at gearheads, but from what they've communicated so far I don't get the feeling that K-01 is aimed for that target group, instead it seems to be aimed towards a more trend sensitive target group, and they don't buy on specs..

02-25-2012, 11:10 AM	#7
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	Originally posted by JFN It's never about the product, everything is about the positioning and how you market it, and market on specs would make sense would it be a high end body aimed at gearheads, but from what they've communicated so far I don't get the feeling that K-01 is aimed for that target group, instead it seems to be aimed towards a more trend sensitive target group, and they don't buy on specs.. BS, the K-01 specs way better than the K-5 in video specs and video is trending way past stills in 2012. I see many are still living in the past so if you want to stay there then so be it.

02-25-2012, 11:39 AM	#8
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	My idea was to do all the advertising in Braille and Market to every Home for the Blind on earth. If they can't see how ugly it is, and surely need no viewfinder, it is bound to be a big hit? More seriously, despite my personal feelings, I hope the K-01 finds some success, I am often reminded in my old age just how out of touch I am with the "Modern World", and may just get another lesson with the K-01. Any gamblers out there? Best Regards!

02-25-2012, 11:51 AM	#9
JFN Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Golfe du Lion Photos: Gallery Posts: 362	Originally posted by jogiba BS, the K-01 specs way better than the K-5 in video specs and video is trending way past stills in 2012. I see many are still living in the past so if you want to stay there then so be it. I don't talk about me, I talk about how marketing actually works. And even if it specs better etc. doesnt matter, has nothing to do with marketing/positioning etc.

02-25-2012, 12:01 PM	#10
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by spartan How to market the K-01 I'd suggest ads with beautiful and scantily-clad women.

02-25-2012, 12:23 PM	#11
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by dadipentak I'd suggest ads with beautiful and scantily-clad women. Taken with a K-01. And the video . . .

02-25-2012, 03:05 PM	#12
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125	Originally posted by JFN It's never about the product, everything is about the positioning and how you market it, and market on specs would make sense would it be a high end body aimed at gearheads, but from what they've communicated so far I don't get the feeling that K-01 is aimed for that target group, instead it seems to be aimed towards a more trend sensitive target group, and they don't buy on specs.. Agreed, but there may be more than one target group. In any case, I would like to see Pentax take a page out of Apple's marketing playbook with something along the lines of the "Think Different" campaign. Of course, it didn't hurt when Apple brought out the revolutionary iPod. I don't think that the K-01 is revolutionary, but it is unique. Rob

02-25-2012, 05:32 PM	#13
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	Gentlemen.....we are talking about Marketing? If there is any appreciable Marketing from Pentax it will signal a new direction, without doubt. My local hardware store does more Marketing in my small town that Pentax did in America last year. In my local tiny Metroplex of 4 Million +people, there is not a Pentax camera to be seen anywhere for sale that I am aware of....and even less Marketing...if that is possible. Maybe you guys know something I don't? Regards!

02-25-2012, 05:44 PM	#14
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	Originally posted by dadipentak I'd suggest ads with beautiful and scantily-clad women. That only raises other issues

02-25-2012, 05:45 PM	#15
JFN Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Golfe du Lion Photos: Gallery Posts: 362	On the product page, the first thing you read is this: "When is a camera more than a photographer’s tool? The answer is when it’s an object designed by Marc Newson, one of the most acclaimed and influential contemporary designers. The PENTAX K-01 marks the intersection where high technology and high design meet." And a picture of a yellow K-01 ... Then next thing you get is this: "Marc Newson Design Gorgeous contemporary styling by world renowned designer Marc Newson features bold lines and colors, rounded corners, and soft, rubberized accents for a “timeless, trusty, and touchable” appeal." It's pretty obvious that this camera is aimed at a certain target group....