*WARNING* This is going to sound negative. So if you're sensitive to comments that aren't all roses and puppies, please skip this post. *WARNING*
Yet I'm afraid word of mouth isn't going to get the brand well known when there are so few mouths sharing Pentax over here..
It would be beneficial to have a couple cameras, on display hand holdable, to say 'hello world, we exist, and our products are worth your consideration' alongside the Canikonys. Even if it isn't a super expensive branding/marketing spiel like Canikony are each doing.
Just have one or two out.. they can afford that... I think they have to afford it if they want to thrive over here and stop being the old guy brand.
No offense to the older in attendance, but there is more money to be spent (over time) by bright eyed 20 or 30 year olds just starting out than most older folks who already have a well stocked lens lineup and are pretty set in their ways..
Right now the novice can go into a department store here, see Nikon and Canon (Walmart, Target, and now I see some Best Buys).. but no Pentax at all. S o they're not even a consideration at the moment they should be a consideration.. completely off the table. Pentax loses that money. Because, they seem to NOT exist in the US outside of through online vendors. Not going to make money unless you spend money. And spending money on at least a
tiny bit of store shelf space, to me, would show me (as a Pentax product owner) that you care about the brand here in this country. And, for the newcomer, that .. well the brand exists and products are available.. people don't even know there is a Pentax.
Please keep in mind the different train of thoughts.. of course these are generalizations but I think rather valid ones.. the novice photographer is likely looking for cheap bundles for the lowest possible dollar... Those are the people most likely to walk into a department store and buy there.
The enthusiast and advanced users are more likely to try in the store, if possible, and buy where cheapest... or just buy online period.
Yet even if no one buys in store (and it stinks for the store) it benefits the brand to have them on display.. even if they aren't spending multi-millions on big displays and advertising blitzes.. have a couple cameras on display. Introduce yourself to the buying public..
In any case, even if you entirely discount my waffling above, It was great trying out all the cameras in person.. never have I seen so many in one place and I got to mark off some from my curiosity.
That said.. I'm now pondering a D750 even more after getting to physically hold it and give it a try. It is just such a nice camera. But I don't see Pentax making any in-roads over here without
some kind of marketing and sales plan. And they have zero at the moment. Nada, Zip, Zero, Zilch. Have to be in it to win it.. as the saying goes. Pentax isn't in it... they're coasting in a 'down' market.. expecting the fantastic products they do make to somehow speak for themselves. That's a little concerning to me.