Amiga Ad Spotted
29 messages in this thread
Good News, fellow Amiganites. Commodore has not completely stopped its
advertising. In the January issue of TV-Technology ( A Trade Magazine), as
I was flipping through the pages I ran across the ad. It was a 3 column 3/4
page ad. In addition this issue had reports on D-Paint IV, GVP's Impact
Vision 24, Caligari, JPEG compression, and the well known Toaster. (Page 9
is a full page ad of Toaster 2.0). This magazine is not just for Amiga's.
It includes the latest inovasion for video for PC's and Macs as well.
Granted this is a specialized trade magazine, but at least I spotted an ad.
Whap! Speed, Mr. Sulu
Nice to see they are still advertising, if only sporadically.
I found this message on a local BBS, and hope Ernie doesn't mind me
cross-posting.
———————-Wed Jan 15 17:47:26 1992
Message : #2646224 From: Ernie Gorrie
Group : AMIGA.General
Subject : Amiga Recognition
I recently telephoned JVC to ask them about compatibility between my JVC
camcorder and video editing software. The conversation started something
like this:
EG: I'm calling to learn if my JVC camcorder has certain capabilities.
I want to use it in combination with some software for doing editing of my
videos.
JVC: Is this an Amiga computer that you will be using for editing your
videos?
I didn't think about it until after I got off the telephone, but this was
quite important in a sense. I suspect that if I had made that call a year
ago, the JVC person might have asked what kind of computer it was, and may
have had some vague idea what an Amiga was. I suspect if I had made the
call two years ago, the JVC person might have said he had never heard of an
Amiga and asked who made it. Now, the Amiga appears to be one of the first
computers they think of in terms of video work.
(Ernie Gorrie)
I hope that somebody lets JVC know that we Amigaites appreciate their
awareness and interest in our platform. Maybe enough pats-on-the-back will
inspire JVC to include Ami in some of their own advertisements ?
– via Whap! (from Southern Illinois)
CBM is really trying to spread the word on the AMiga. Saw a full page ad in
Videography too. The ad give a brief overview of what the Amiga can offer a
proffesional video person. They mention no products though. I do wish CBM
would mention specific products. I also wish developers would advertise
their products in the video trades. Pros have to know what's available.
The Toaster ads don't really mention that the Toaster is tied to an Amiga.
CBM should in their ads though. It would be nice to see Impulse & others
advertise in the Pro video mags. BTW I'm in editor in a high end video
facility. Of the 10 or so employees in operations Three own Amigas. Our
chief engineer is thinking of getting one and will soon try to convince the
owner to get a Video Toaster for our offline room. He's having a hard time
doing it because the owner thinks the Amiga is a toy. He doesn't see any
Amiga specific products in any of the trades.
I also saw an ad for an A500 in a JC Penney's catalogue
JOHN – The Lost Southerner!!
Craig,
has the owner of your video house seen the New Tek videotape? It's quite
convincing. It certainly makes it hard to think of the Amiga as a toy after
watching it.
Blaq! – via Whap!
The owner hasn't seen the NewTek video tape but the chief engineer has and
he's working on seting up a demonstration with our local full service Amiga
dealer. (There is only one Amiga exclusive dealer in all of New York
City!).
The Chief Engineer has seen the Video Toaster Tape and wants the facility
to get the Toaster. The boss seems to think it will drag down the company
reputation. He feels the Video Toaster has a low end reputation. This has
nothing to do with the quality of the Toaster output. He just thinks
clients will perceive the Toaster as a low end box! We're trying hard to
convince him. I think we need something more than the Toaster demo.
Graphics done at another facility might convince him.
Craig,
Maybe I should send you a dub of a graphic animation? That might change
his mind about this 'toy'…..?
Pete
BY ALL MEANS, PLEASE write to CBM and let them know how they can improve
thier and "our" positions in the various marketplaces. If you DO write,
don't complain, but say thanks – but here are some things that might be
better …
I have seen a Motorola advertisement in Computerworld that porports that
their 68040 is whipping to shame the Intel beasties and other platforms,
but nary a word is said about Amiga even though our CPU cousin, the Mac, IS
mentioned! I haven't written my letter to them yet, but I am working on it.
I would also like to encourage you to write to various software companies,
explain who and what you are, and invite them to either place some suitable
advertisements in whatever journals/magazines you could recommend, and/or
try to get some articles published about their respective products.
– via Whap! (from Southern Illinois)
Jim,
One _small_ criticism of your advice to Craig. A while back I was
taking a course in communications and it was pointed out to me that the
word 'but' in English has a connotive meaning (rarely recognized
consciously) of "ignore everything I've said thusfar". My observations
since then (I have to carefully read every sentence with the word 'but' in
it) are that my instructor was substantially correct.
When attempting to offer constructive criticism, I find it better to use
the conjunction 'and', as in:
I think you've done a great job and could do even better if…..
contrast that to:
I think you've done a great job but could do better if…..
When attempting to modify someones behavio(u)r, you might as well take all
the advantage you can get; but you knew that <grin>, right?
Hmm – thanks for the constructive criticism. Having listened to myself try
to assist my workers to achieve better results has shown me the same
conclusion. I do try to reword things when I am trying to be careful or am
paying enough attention, BUT, you know how the tongue has a mind all of its
own!
I have partially rewritten some of my letters to various companies and/or
individuals in regards to trying to invite them into the Amiga marketplace
when I read the sentence that I had typed and noticed that bad noise in the
middle (eg; but).
It is HARD to ignore (using) and harder to trip the right interrupt handler
when the less than pleasant semaphore is used. I guess it is like some
people's habits of including 4 million "and's" in their sentences. Again,
thanks for the red light 🙂
– Using Whap! (from Southern Illinois)
One more word: in regards to the viability of the Toaster, you can mention
that there is a growing number of TV/cable stations and other groups
working with related interests that all use the Toaster. Perhaps you can
leave another message asking for comments from everyone who uses the
Toaster with an emphasis on business use.
– via Whap! (from Southern Illinois)
Jim,
Just to butt in here for a second. Speaking of C= and the Amiga,
American Express is now, or rather has been, seeling the 500 in one of
those sales fliers you get if you have the card. I thought that was a good
idea for the 500.
And a few months ago, I watched a show on cable that originated out of
NYC. It was all about that plane crash of a few years ago on Long Island
and the narrator was positioned in the room where they control all the
equipment, whatever it's called. Anyway, all the while he was on camera, a
monitor directly behind him had the Video Toaster control panel showing. I
was impressed as this was not just a local show but nationaly televised.
Regarding Amiga-specific software companies advertising, well, they do,
from what I've seen. At least those that can afford to. Newtek, Sheriff,
and a few others advertise in Avideo. Trouble is, it's SO expensive and
real hard to convince a very small software publisher to spend that kind of
money on such a small market.
But it sure does look better than a few years ago although C= better
keep working hard as the competition is catching up. Sort of:-)
>>>>>Skip( SKP Graphics )<<<<<
The Video Toaster ads never mention the Amiga specifically in ads placed in
the video trade magazines. Newtek and very occassionaly RGB associates
(makers of Amilink CMX compatable edit system for the AMiga) are the ONLY
companies advertising in the video trades. Individual Amiga companies
surely don't have the money to advertise in these journals on their own but
a group ad might help the costs. Since CBM is advertising in Videography
why not pool resources with the folks at Impulse (IMagine/Firecracker) GVP
(IV 24) and other to split costs and let the video industry know that the
Amiga has some 3rd party software/hardware support.
Craig,
It's very true that most Amiga developers and/or publishers don't have
the bucks to spend on advertising especially in magazines like A-Video that
have a somewhat limited circulation. Actually, even Amiga World's
circulation seems rather small considering the number of machines out
there.
I believe there is some co-op advertising going on but most of that is
with the mail-order retailers. It's a good idea. But it seems that some of
these folks aren't real friendly with each other for some reason. Probably
just the minority, I suppose.
In any case, I wonder if we'll ever see advertising to the extent you
see in any issue of a Mac magazine? They seem to be approaching PC-Week and
BYTE re the number of ads in each issue:-).
>>>>>Skip( SKP Graphics )<<<<<
Advertising is expensive and Amiga developers are usually quite small.
There are other marketing techniques. How about sending products for review
to the various video magazines like Videography and Post. Developers should
request that all major Audio/Music and Video trade magazines be given an
Amiga to review software/hardware. All developers shoul send press releases
to these mags. Electronic Musician actually had a feature article on Arexx
and how it can help a musician. This is in a magazine were maybe 2 percent
own Amigas! Commodore and developers should take note and put in at least
some small ads…Companies Like Blue Ribbon and SunRize should have ads in
their even if their do a joint ad. CBM should do a joint ad with them. CBM
should ask Dr.T's to mention the Amiga more prominately in their Electronic
Musician ad (which is similar to the Amiga World ad although Mac and PC
are mentioned INSTEAD of the Amiga). Dr.T's could openly mention tthe Amiga
in non Amiga music magazines.. EM is very open to reviews of all Amiga
products both Music AND Video (they had an article in the past about the
Toaster too) so the developers should seek reviewers for their products.
This is just some of the marketing that could be attempted. I'm tired of
saying this againg and again but the developers in the Amiga community just
seem to be very passive outside of the Amiga magazines. That doesn't widen
the base of Amigas in the market!
BTW, the Amiga was mentioned, but briefly, in Probe, the Amateur Scientists
Journal, April '92 issue.
I would like to see CBM ads in Scientific American, Discover, Probe and
other layperson science mags.
Michael
I believe CBM advertised in OMNI briefly. It would do them good to
advertise in the "lay person" journals such as Discover etc. It would be
nice if the scientific software reached a level that would allow the to
advertise in the professional arena. Amiga would do good to invest in a
good PR department Then they'd have to worry less about advertising in
general.
If the advertisement costs are too steep, and I don't doubt that they are,
then one of the next best things they can do is to get reviews of their
products in as many places as possible. Another thing they could try is to
piggy back on to somebody else's advertisement. There may even be other
ways to "broadcast" a product.
One of the important things to keep in mind, though, is that there are
certain trade journals/magazines that are the basic staple of certain
markets, and if these software companies aren't seen or heard in these
staples, then the majority of the users within those markets are not going
to think of them or the Amiga as a viable tool. I see product cards as a
Computerworld subscriber. Perhaps this would be cost effective avenue. Oh
well – this could go on, and on, and on. Let' just hope that more and more
non-Amiga-ites hear more and more about Ami and various software (and
hardware) products. The more the merrier, eh?
– Using Whap! (from Southern Illinois)
Craig:
If the top dog doesn't think the Amiga has naything to offer the video
world… have him check out the game show ARCADE on Nickelodeon (saturdays
at 5:30). All of the interactive video effects are done with Amigas.
– Whapp!ng from the North Coast Michael
I just got finished watching the 'Red Dwarf' marathon on my local PBS
station yesterday (3:00 PM – midnight!, including all six 1991 episodes!).
But the reason I mention it is that during the station breaks (you know,
where they ask for $$$) I'm pretty sure they were using Toaster effects
quite liberally. Red Dwarf has some video effects in it, and the station
was trying to emulate the 'look n feel' of the show's credits. Twisting,
turning titles, warping, etc…. All in all very interesting.
BTW, there is a series of laserdisc's called 'Dream Machine' (Voyager)
dealing with computer graphics. Volume two has a section on the types of
computers used to create these graphics, talking about how the power has
come to the desktop level, etc. They show the Amiga quite a few times
during that sequence. They have a sound byte and some of Heidi
Turnipseed's work shown, some other misc amiga graphics too. Very nice!
–jp–seattle–
It might not be a bad idea for you to write a letter to Commodore informing
them that you saw their advertisement and that you appreciated it. If CBM
doesn't understand how to market themselves in the US, then "we" need to
help them along, and this is one way to do that.
– via Whap! (from Southern Illinois)
It's a shame that Commodore doesn't have a CIS address that we could write
to. Just think how many letters we could generate.
Whap! Speed, Mr. Sulu
Michael,
Is there anyone in particular you'd write _to_?
((Is there anyone in particular you'd write_to_?))
Not really, for I don't know anyone over there. If I had letters to write,
they would be more directed towards the people in the higher offices. I'm
not certain if they're the ones who are unaware of the popularity of the
Amiga or not. Especially those that govern the advertising department of
C=. I took advertising and graphics years ago, and even graduated with a
degree in Media advertising. I, myself, wouldn't want to advertise the way
C= is doing. It's really is truely amazing that Amiga has come as far as it
has with just word of mouth. And that is after all, one of the best ways to
advertise. Slow, but it gets around…. Hmmm maybe that's C= strategy after
all.
Whap! Speed, Mr. Sulu
In one way, it WOULD be nice to have a direct CIS connection with CBM. On
the other hand, I can see how CBM could be easily overwhelmed by such a
flow. There are some current/working CBM'ers who visit CIS or can be "seen"
on the Internet on occassion. I wouldn't want to burden them with a
plethora of wishes and complaints. I have written a couple of letters to
"CBM" (receiving a response from one), and would like to tickle their ear
with some suggestions.
Perhaps CBM or someone from CBM WILL open up a new forum (at least in the
Amiga arena – I think they do or did have one in the C-64 arena) ??
– Using Whap! (from Southern Illinois)
Michael:
I was in Las Vegas last week for the Winter CES and I noticed CBM was doing
some tremendous advertising in the daily trades. All of the ads were for
CDTV, but I believe what's good for CDTV is good for the Amiga.
By the way, the ad is very good, comparing the Phillips CD-I drive to the
CDTV. At the CBM booth andy finkel was kind enough to give me a tour of
the CD-ROM drive for the 500 as well as keyboard/FDD/IR mouse package for
CDTV. I believe these products bring the Amiga and CDTV closer together
from a marketing standpoint and as MultiMedia was without a doubt THE theme
of the show (if CES had one this year, besides *AAK!* DCC), this puts the
Amiga back out in front of the pack, where it belongs.
Roger
>>"This puts the Amiga back out in front of the pack, where it belongs."<<
CBM may be trying to market CDTV to its best abilty, but how can they
compete with the big adverti$ing buck$ of CDI? For example: the February
issue of Stereo Review has a 2 page add featuring CDI. The circulation of
Stereo Review is 504,582. When it comes down to reaching the MASS MARKET,
IE: Joe Consumer, CBM can't compete! Even tho CBM has a head start on CDI,
they have already lost it. WHY? Well for some reason, a six month jump on
CDI has gotten nowhere. It seems to me as tho when it comes to MARKETING,
CDI will win even if CDTV is better! How long before we see national TV
adds for CDI? I suspect not long. Will we see national CDTV TV adds? Well I
only HOPE!
– Tom Sawyer – Whapping! down the Mississippi!