Originally posted by house The strict GR/Pentax split into different venues is interesting. Obviously they have different brand values but as a Pentax and GR user I feel they have a lot of similarities (beyond shared tech) but perhaps they largely don't have the same users.
Two venues could just be the result of different users and the advantages of being able to curate exhibitions and events without the other brand 'interfering' with visuals, design cues or people. Perhaps they are aiming for a lot of activity so that scheduling both brands wouldn't work.
The word “split” assumes the two brands were together in the first place. It’s worth me explaining the history of these showrooms.
Ricoh always had a showroom in Ginza, Tokyo. That was known as “Ringcube”. Pentax has their location in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Even after they were both given the name “Ricoh Imaging Square”, the Ginza was still mostly the GR one, and Shinjuku still had a strong leaning toward Pentax.
Ginza was closed a couple of years ago, but the GR III has done just fine without it. I guess they decided a venue is a waste of money. If you want to try a GR, you can easily find it in a store. They tend to do user events on location, like photo walks.
Pentax on the other hand has more items to actually display in the store. So the new location should be seen as a separate location. Pentax does more sit-down events like seminars and presentations.
It’s interesting what Ooku says about separating the marketing teams, but it has always seemed like different people were involved in the marketing of Gr and Pentax. So I feel it is more like formalising something that was already effectively the case.