Phoning It In - How Anime Companies are Failing Marketing 101

[mashimaro]

One thing I have noticed is the seeming reluctance of studios to effectively advertise their titles. Case in point: I was watching some of my old Pioneer (pre-Geneon) DVD's the other day. Typically one of the extras on the disc was either a complete catalog of everything they offered, or you could find potentially up to 10 previews on the disc. On some of the later Geneon discs you would find only 3 previews.

Also, I've noticed that of all the Bandai discs I've picked up lately, the same three previews seem to be recycled on every one of them.

I am at a loss to understand this. You have a customer who is willing to spend their money and your product has made it into their home; why not take all modest steps to entice them to part with a little more of their money? On a 3-episode DVD, I doubt that every available sector of the disc is jam-packed with content.

The shoddy website design also amazes me. All I want is a sensible interface (ADV and Media Blasters are pretty bad offenders here) and a little information on what is available and when titles are coming out.

[Damo]

Originally Posted by mashimaro

One thing I have noticed is the seeming reluctance of studios to effectively advertise their titles. Case in point: I was watching some of my old Pioneer (pre-Geneon) DVD's the other day. Typically one of the extras on the disc was either a complete catalog of everything they offered, or you could find potentially up to 10 previews on the disc. On some of the later Geneon discs you would find only 3 previews.

The UK can go one worse, MVM's and Revelation's titles always have just two trailers each.

[Chris Beveridge]

And Bandai Visual USA doesn't have any. Which is really surprising. One thing I loved about importing their DVDs years ago was the lengthy series of commercials and traillers for shows that I wasn't aware of. It's what hooked me hard into Crest of the Stars if I recall.

[Damo]

Originally Posted by Chris Beveridge

And Bandai Visual USA doesn't have any. Which is really surprising.

That is really surprising and disappointing, two is really bad if a little understandable what with the UK's BBFC charging for everything on a disc. but none... Trailers are the first things I watch.

One thing I loved about importing their DVDs years ago was the lengthy series of commercials and traillers for shows that I wasn't aware of. It's what hooked me hard into Crest of the Stars if I recall.

Bandai Ent's trailer put me off Crest''' at first it was the enthusiasm of a friend that got me into that series.