allanp Posted January 29, 2015 (edited) So, in another unrelated thread there's mention of a German website devoted to advertising some models as being "for men", which is kinda funny. So instead of derailing that topic why don't we talk about that here. Better yet, what marketing styles could they use, funny or serious if you want, but mostly funny! Please note, this is not meant to be sexist against women, it's more for poking fun at how easy it is to appeal to/take advantage of some peoples masculinity! My "for men" advert of the new mercedes arocs. (In a sexy female voice) Introducing, the new, big boy! Slow pan around the model The mercedes Arocs (Olivia Newton John voice from the movie Grease) Tell me about it stud! (original female voice) No studs, a totally studless animal that boasts a long ram! Tag line Technic, built by studs so it don't need em! Edited January 29, 2015 by allanp Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Omikron Posted January 29, 2015 LEGO mäkes YUÖ into Stronk! Jöin LEGO tödäy ör regrettings förever! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ondra Posted January 29, 2015 Imagine a party in quarry with real life counterparts of lego sets!Also with presentation lego arocs vs. real life arocs! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mahjqa Posted January 29, 2015 The whole "technic is for men" marketing thing is megablocks. Take Jennifer Clark for example ( http://www.genuinemodels.com ). She built the most amazing and intricate models before power functions, before many of us ever built a serious technic model. The only reason we don't see many more female technic builders is because they are actively discouraged to get into it. Marketing campaigns like these certainly don't help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ondra Posted January 29, 2015 But still how many womans will buy Arocs?I think that some will say, that its only big ugly truck. Im OK with lego "for men" for heavy duty vehicles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrJB Posted January 29, 2015 (edited) If we really wanted to be gender-specific, or maybe gender-aware, build a technic set with the RIGHT colors e.g., Pink or Purple. But I guess it's too risky (uncharted territories) for TLG to go that route. Edited January 29, 2015 by DrJB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andythenorth Posted January 29, 2015 If we really wanted to be gender-specific, or maybe gender-aware, build a technic set with the RIGHT colors e.g., Pink or Purple. It is actually a scientific fact that all women only like Pink or Purple. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mahjqa Posted January 29, 2015 I didn't say technic sets should be made pink or purple, I said that gender based marketing is pretty much nonsense. Like pink razors marketed to women; it's the same hair you're shaving, and that pink color has no functional difference. Same goes for technic models; why wouldn't they be interesting for women? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Omikron Posted January 29, 2015 If you ask couple of women about lets say a car: "Which car do you want?" - "I want a blue (champagne, emerald or whatever) one!" The color plays one of the major roles in the "features" list Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dr_spock Posted January 29, 2015 I think up to the 18th century pink was a color for men. It was ok for men to wear pink. Then something happened around the 19th century. By the last 50 years or so, pink was marketed towards the female group in western society. Chibi Thunderbirds FAB 1 by dr_spock_888, on Flickr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nerdsforprez Posted January 29, 2015 So, in another unrelated thread there's mention of a German website devoted to advertising some models as being "for men", which is kinda funny. So instead of derailing that topic why don't we talk about that here. Better yet, what marketing styles could they use, funny or serious if you want, but mostly funny! Please note, this is not meant to be sexist against women, it's more for poking fun at how easy it is to appeal to/take advantage of some peoples masculinity! My "for men" advert of the new mercedes arocs. (In a sexy female voice) Introducing, the new, big boy! Slow pan around the model The mercedes Arocs (Olivia Newton John voice from the movie Grease) Tell me about it stud! (original female voice) No studs, a totally studless animal that boasts a long ram! Tag line Technic, built by studs so it don't need em! Hey! That last quote looks too similar to what I have had as my signature block for over a month now! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allanp Posted January 29, 2015 I don't think women are actively discouraged from it. For whatever reason putting model kits together seems to be more appealing and fun for men than it is for women generally speaking though there obviously are exceptions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aol000xw Posted January 29, 2015 I don't buy all that marketing nonsense, in my experience some women find subjects that lack or can't convey beauty or emotion boring and uninteresting. I'd sadly say most women. Technic is somewhat the ugly emotionless branch of Lego so probably mostly women who are already interested in science somehow will see the appeal of Technic. However those women won't feel intimidated at all by a "for men" label. About pink I believe is cultural and loses appeal pretty fast with age so it won't help Technic at all, the same that a "for men" campaign probably wouldn't affect "female" sales. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allanp Posted January 29, 2015 Hey! That last quote looks too similar to what I have had as my signature block for over a month now! Ooooops! Sorry. . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nerdsforprez Posted January 30, 2015 Ooooops! Sorry. . Totally fine. I just thought it was funny Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrJB Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) It is actually a scientific fact that all women only like Pink or Purple. Of course, I was being very serious. I saw that with my 2 girls ... they want to buy (or me buy them) everything that's pink/purple. It's as if they're programmed that way. I didn't say technic sets should be made pink or purple, I said that gender based marketing is pretty much nonsense. Like pink razors marketed to women; it's the same hair you're shaving, and that pink color has no functional difference. Same goes for technic models; why wouldn't they be interesting for women? I was looking at YOUR models with my two girls, and the one that caught their attention was the girl's tank ... Case in Point. And, since we're talking about colors, here is another piece of trivia: Question: Do you know why, in general, women are better than men at picking/coordinating colors? Answer: Statistically speaking, 37% of men have some type of color blindness. True Story: In the morning when you wear that purple shirt with a blue tie, make sure you ask your significant other if they go together ok. Edited January 30, 2015 by DrJB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lipko Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) What ever happened to all the fun in the world? Anyhoo, Mr.T. would be a key figure in my marketing campaign. Edited January 30, 2015 by Lipko Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allanp Posted January 30, 2015 Technic....GET SOME PINS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mahjqa Posted January 30, 2015 Well, if they prefer this: Over this: Then we can pretty much rule out color as a factor. The damn tank is beige. But the color thing is only tangential. My main point is still that seeing technology as something inherently for men is bollocks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lipko Posted January 30, 2015 Technic is somewhat the ugly emotionless branch of Lego That is bollocks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mahjqa Posted January 30, 2015 In short; if guys somehow don't take an interest in trucks or cranes, are they 'unmanly'? If so, why? If girls like tanks and bulldozers, does that make them any less of a woman? If so, why? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allanp Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) No, not at all. Women on average have longer hair than men. Does than make a woman with short hair less of a woman or the designer of the Arocs any less of a man? Of course not, so that argument is bollocks. On average men tend to find more enjoyment in putting construction toys together than women. That says nothing about men who don't find enjoyment in it or about the women that do find enjoyment in it, that's just the way it is and I really don't see a problem in acknowledging the fact that that Technic is something that is going to appeal to far more men than women. Jennifer Clark is the designer of some of the best MOCs out there and we have a few active female members here on Eurobricks, but is anyone really going to say that this isn't a sausage fest?! Even this very forum has a special banner for Eurobricks ladies, do you think that's sexist or in any way actively discourages women away from the hobby? Afterall, the presence of this banner is an acknowledgement that Lego is generally preferred by men. So what is wrong with marketing that also acknowledges this? Edited January 30, 2015 by allanp Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vmln8r Posted January 30, 2015 ^ Sure. Nothing wrong with reinforcing the status quo, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allanp Posted January 30, 2015 (edited) That's a lovely sound bite but could you be a little more specific? Don't get me wrong I'de love to see more women in this hobby, and I'de hate to see anyone see this as a boys only club, but I don't see how banning this little bit of humour based not on some deep seated misogyny but on a statistical fact is going to help. Don't we all like a bit of humour over some bland overly PC environment where no joke can be made just because someone might find a way it could offend someone else and then can act all white knightish and come to the rescue of this someone else to show off how brave they are for standing up to fight for a minority which is in fact a world wide majority against the evils of a little bit of humour? It's fine if you don't agree, we're all different, but I'de honestly like to hear some of your reasoning. Less of the sound bites please. I'de also really like to here some womens opinions on this. Am I wrong or just not entirely right, am I missing something? Edited January 30, 2015 by allanp Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andythenorth Posted January 30, 2015 Eh, why not try this discussion on mumsnet? Maybe EB and Mumsnet could co-host a debate? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
