Do spokespersons "sell" guns?

[leadcounsel]

So, I got this request from Remington for my opinion in a survey. The context is whether Remington should hire endorsers (famous people) to market their products. If you want to take the survey it's here:


I know I'm not the normal consumer... but that being said, I rarely base my purchasing decisions on some overpaid spokesperson who says "I use brand X." First, I realise they are paid to endorse it. Secondly, most probably did not use product X exclusively while getting famous (sure, some may have, but most probably not).

When I am in the market for something, I go to the web to read ACTUAL reviews. That's one reason I like THR so much... a wealth of free information from actual users.

So, I would RATHER a company spend those millions on improving product quality, quality control, or affordability, discounts, etc.

Thoughts?

 

[Sistema1927]

You aren't alone. I didn't recognize any but one of the names in the survey, and his endorsement would not entice me to purchase anything.

 

[chevyman097]

I took the survey and pretty much voted down celeb spokesperson across the board.

I pretty much frown at the idea, dont like it. There is enough celebs out there endorsing plenty of things. Dont think we need them endorsing anymore.

And honestly I pretty much agree with Leadc, Id rather see the company save that money and put it back into the product.

 

[hirundo82]

I doubt that the same people who decide what guns to buy based on who the company uses in their ads are the same people who post regularly on a forum where the pros/cons, etc. of various guns are discussed extensively.

 

[Shadow 7D]

What does R Lee Emory shoot???
Btw its a Glock (paid) or a 1911

Will I buy a glock cause he shoots one, no, but then I don't have a 1911 either.

 

[Larry E]

Having some celebrity who barely knows anything about what they're endorsing sure isn't going to make me want to buy the product. In fact it might have the opposite effect.

If they have well known shooters, hunters, and/or guides endorsing their product it might make a difference, but they mostly won't do that and nobody but their friends or clients knows them from Adam's off ox.

 

[solvability]

Get a celebrity get celebrity problems.

 

[rjrivero]

Remington should spend more money on R&D and less money on folks who make too much for what they do already.

They'd be much better off in the future.

 

[Golderpuff]

The above person hit the nail directly on the head.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

If you want to take the survey it's here:

If you want to take the survey as leadcounsel, it's there. The query string is unique per user email.

If you look at the URL after you click the link, you can clearly see you are doing the survey under someone else's email address.

 

[Geneseo1911]

oops. Leadcounsel's going to look like a schizophrenic! I hope this doesn't get him adjudicated mentally ill...

The only widely known celebrity that is also known as a shooter (besides Gunny, and you'd be surprised how many people don't know him) that I can think of is Sarah Palin.

Does Freedom Group's marketers actually think sports stars are going to sell guns? Maybe I overestimate the intelligence of the average hunter.

 

[Hoth206]

Remington's just jealous because Federal's got the "famous" fighter (whatever his name is) pitching their Fusion line.

 

[Deus Machina]

Quality of product and company speaks more loudly than any spokesperson.

The only celebrity that would sway me one way or the other as far as shooting goes, is R. Lee Ermey. But I think he sponsors Glock because they already work well, not that he actually has to convince people. I'm still not buying a Glock, but I almost bought a SOG knife.

Get Morgan Freeman to sponsor a gun company, and I might have to buy one. That man's voice is hypnotic.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

My comment

I rely more on the quality and value of a product and reputation of a company when I make purchases. I pay little attention to any spokesperson.

 

[Bubba613]

People missing the point. No one is going to buy a Remington 870 because Jesse Ventura endorses it. BUt if you are reading through a magazine and come across an ad with Jesse Ventura you might stop and say "hey, that's Jesse Ventura!" It might make you read the ad and see why Jesse Ventiura is pitching Remington's 870. You might look at their features and then decide to buy one.
Why has Lee Ermy been endorsing Glock for, what, 10 years? The longevity suggests the technique works.

 

[vaherder]

My suggestion for Remington is use hot babes to sell your products Happy and the others mentioned in the survey who cares. Courtney Hansen, Eva Mendez and Shakira I pay attention <deleted>.

Favre is not credible or believable. Heard of Harvick but dont know the others. If they have to use males then I would suggest Tommy Wilson and Alasdair MacRae.

Remington's biggest problem is the quality of their products. They are also being shopped around. Bankruptcy is a serious consideration for them especially if things dont go well in the courts.

VA herder

 

[leadcounsel]

I removed the link.... didn't realize everyone was voting under my email address... wonder how that throws the survey off...

As for R. Lee Ermey, I've met him and like his work and his stance on freedoms. He's the real deal. However, I don't find him a credible Glock endorser because he always raves of the 1911 platform and these two principles (old vs. new) just don't seem to mix... Of course you can like both, but it's painfully obvious that he's a 1911 man and just endorsing Glock for the $. It would be more natural for him to endorse a Springfield or Colt 1911...

 

[Art Eatman]

Considering the OP's question, and having watched this world of guns for a helluva long time:

THR & TFL folks are enthusiasts. We're a minority in the world of guns.

Most buyers are what I'd call "casual users". Some handgun for the bedside table. Deer rifles to be sighted in and shot a few times on Bambi. Probably more seriousness for dove and duck hunters.

IMO, those folks are more likely to be influenced by spokespeople. Gun bugs? Much less so.

Think about the whole world of TV advertising. You think Michael Jordan got those Nike $$$ 'cause he's cute? Or did he sell tennie-runners?

Why else would Glock et al sponsor shooters in IPSC, for that matter?

What has changed in advertising, generally, is that specific individuals are used as spokesfolks rather than generic people. E.g., once upon a time the ads showed some guy in a doctor's coat, stethoscope around his neck and the voiceover was, "Smoke Kools! Smoke Kools!" Sure, times have changed; Dr. DeBakey wouldn't have sponsored cigarettes--so we have Nike-heart-Jordan.

Madison Avenue folks ain't stoopid.

 

[ZCORR Jay]

Hollywood has done enough to paint a poor image of firearms... the last thing we need is George Clooney talking about guns.

I'd say if they do deiced to pump money into a spokesperson the effectiveness would really depend on the caliber of the person. Does the spokesperson relate with the shooting community or are they makeup wearing actor?

It would also heavily depend on the message they are trying to share.

 

[ultradoc]

My uncle [Sam] sold me on the AR. So I bought two!