The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I saw Serge's post about the Olympian with the $500,000 Richard Mille, it's obviously to advertise. Do people actually see celebrities, or athletes, wearing watches and thing "oh, I'm going to buy that!" - Does advertising work?

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is this a real question

I don't know for sure, but I think there's probably one or two very tiny, and totally unsubstantiated, scraps of evidence out there to suggest that advertising may work a little bit.

Actually......... I've thought about it some more, and no, I'm now pretty sure advertising doesn't work at all. The problem is there's too many companies out there with too much money, so instead of giving it all to charity they spend it on celebrity endorsers, TV commercials, magazine pages, and billboards instead. Originally they used to get their celebrities to wear a purple felt beret on their heads, and they filled the space they'd bought in magazines and billboards with giant noughts and crosses games, but then someone had an idea to get their endorser to wear their product, and then put pictures of it in magazines. Crazy concept I know, but that's what they've gone with. It doesn't increase sales in any way, it's just a way for companies to ditch some excess profit they don't need.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Rarely am I lost for words, but that is really some question, especially from someone in the advertising capital of the world, the US.

iirc from the advertising capital of the advertising capital of the world, NYC.
you might ask some of the guys on Madison Avenue, for them advertising seems to work .....

As one who makes his living creating advertising, let me answer your question by posing another: Would McDonald's (and companies like them) spend a billion dollars a year on advertising if it didn't work?

Didn't know the US was a capital. :smile:


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- This is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by. - Negative Ghost Rider. The pattern is full.

I guess because I would not buy something just because I see someone famous wearing it or using the product. I would buy based on reviews I read. I guess the advertisement at least will bring up awareness of the product though.

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...and reduce their tax liability. On the other hand if you "scream" loud enough, some will certainly hear you

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"It is just a matter of time!"

Thats generally how advertising works. You dont usually go with a strategy of 'one airing of a commercial costs n, so it must create new sales that equal 2n' unless its an infomercial type ad. Typically, there will be a campaign which has a particular goal in mind such as "raise awareness in X region", "show how luxurious our products are" or "introduce our new offering to the public" or something like that. There is usually a bigger picture in mind.

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-RJ

Well I believe Don Draper once said that using celebrities in ads is laziness.... no creativity whatsoever.

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

i think marketing with celebrities/athletes etc. works with some brands and items better than others.
im sure nike makes a ton of money off of kids wanting to be like their idol in a certain sport...

watches on the other hand? im not so sure.

I'm buying a blue sky navi and the only reason I'm buying it is because I saw Travolta wearing it, so advertising must work right.

What kind of question is that??? Put Jordan's name on a pair of Nikes and they sell millions, don't put his name on them and they'll end up on clearance at khols for $39.99. Sports marketing works extremely well.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

The question is if advertising for 500'000$ products works the same way as advertising for Nike shoes. There are certainly a lot less of potential customers. But on the other hand you don't have to sell millions of pieces.

Obviously not, but it does get people talking and it gets the name Richard Mille out there. This may be a stereotype, but the ubber rich want the big names and RM is a big name now in the watch game. That type of product placement is meant for that type of buyer, not the average Joe.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"