[RxistKJ]

Has anyone seen RIM market Blackberry on television? I've seen a few magazine ads but would like to see more mass marketing, including television commercials, that promotes "push" technology. I'm a bit surprised that RIM doesn't beef up promotion as Good Technology is making headlines with their "push" technology. Ultimately, a larger audience means more developers, means more applications, means cheaper costs...just some Berry for thought.

Regards

[Skive]

Most (if not all) of their advertising is done in conjunction with their carrier partners, if you had flown into practically any airport in europe then you would see a lot of vodafone adverts for the 7100v that have replaced their previous adverts for the 7230 and they have a lot of posters and billboards up around london.

As far as headlines, the blackberry has made it into many publications from the specialist press to even the tabloids since its a popular gadget with celebs.

One other thing to consider, rim are already having record quarters without going overboard on the advertising, maybe they don't have the capacity to let things expand too much faster just yet?

[jibi]

Originally Posted by Skive

One other thing to consider, rim are already having record quarters without going overboard on the advertising, maybe they don't have the capacity to let things expand too much faster just yet?

not to mention that some of that potential advertising money is likely being routed back into R&D or executives' and shareholders' pockets

i agree, though. the formula is not broken, so why fix it. RIM likely makes very little money from direct customer's, so why spend the money to advertise to a small base of people.

[Skive]

not to mention that some of that potential advertising money is likely being routed back into R&D or executives' and shareholders' pockets

Nothing wrong with the first and last of those.

[bfrye]

In most companies it doesn't need much marketing. It's only recently that they've been geared more towards the consumer use. Anyone and everyone in the govt or federal industry in the US has heard of, and probably uses blackberries, so they don't need much promotion towards those markets...

[RxistKJ]

Originally Posted by jibi

not to mention that some of that potential advertising money is likely being routed back into R&D or executives' and shareholders' pockets

i agree, though. the formula is not broken, so why fix it. RIM likely makes very little money from direct customer's, so why spend the money to advertise to a small base of people.

1. I agree--maybe they don't have the capacity to expand much faster.
2. $$ most definitely is being routed into executive and shareholder pockets--doesn't mean they wouldn't like more.
3. the formula may not be broken, and may not need a fix, but can always use enhancement.

Bottom line: There is still a large part of the population that is oblivious to "push" technology and Blackberry in general. It is still very much a growing niche market. As a result, very little software has been developed for it. I would love to see more applications like Palm has for it's OS.

But then again, I'm new...what do I know...

[KendallParis]

I think all of the BlackBerry owners going ga-ga over them is advertisement enough.

Now, I would love to find some college kid that wants to be a millionaire and work with him to develop useful applications, but I haven't thus far. Believe me, I've tried. I even considered going back to school to learn Java and all of that myself, but I didn't know how long it would take.

This is a goldmine just begging someone to find it.

[rcg]

Why advertise push?

Many customers who buy and use cars don't understand internal combustion engines.... I submit many BB users really don't understand "PUSH"

I think sucessful advertising is about what a product can do for you or how it could make you feel not what's under the hood.

Yes I know the majority of users on the forum are geeky and care about such things but we are the minority.

[RxistKJ]

I would say I am part of the majority and don't completely understand "push" technology, particularly how it works. That being said, I do understand what it does for me...deliver my e-mail almost instantly. That was my point, why not advertise that simple fact.

Anyway, this is somewhat of a fruitless debate (no pun intended)...to each their own...

8)

[jibi]

Originally Posted by KendallParis

I think all of the BlackBerry owners going ga-ga over them is advertisement enough.

i agree. RIM is perhaps the best example of the effectiveness of 'word of mouth' advertising campaigns in my recent memory.

i would like to see more of a push for the developer's market. but on the flip side, i see the RIM-version of BB hardware and perhaps even the OS as limited life expectancy right now as it is. i think their reluctance to put money into more development of in-house productivity software or the interest of third party solutions as compared to their acceptance of 3rd-party devices with built-in BB technology speaks volumes for where the hardware and the OS are headed (imo).

i'm not sure of a standardized or even a popular platform, but currently i would think that the RIM OS and hardware are in a fairly distant placing on the grand scale of things.

[rcg]

Jibi - et al

Word of mouth is outstanding for the BB but don't over look the corporate sales teams... the carriers have dedicated teams of sales reps that really acheive the numbers that RIM is seeing. The carriers are stoked to push RIM as the ARPU approaches $100 in many cases.

[jibi]

oh, i know. but as far as a company with a product who has basically stood idle while those paying them have done the advertising work for them.

trust me, our rep from tmo has about 3 things mentioning the BB in her email signature.

[eagle]

I was flipping through the channels early this week. In one of the network shows, a character was shown to pause, retrieve his bb, and pickup email.

r,
eagle

[Mark Rejhon]

Wait until the 7100 OS update & market flooding of 7100's has subsided; and the infrastructure has been beefed up first!

Then the carriers should do some TV ads about BlackBerry!

[bperkins]

I view myself as an early adopter, so I am not sure why it did not have one of these years ago. What the hell was I thinking ;->.

I have always known about Blackberry's but I really did not even consider one, until I used one that my friend had. I liked it ok, but I really did not have the appreciation for them until I actually bought one. I am so amazed of how easy it is to use....reminds me of my Mac. I am amazed at the integration, and how it is not just strong in one area, but every feature works great. I thought that I would have to have a separate phone for voice calls, but I actually love using the phone feature on the 7750.

My only complaint is not RIM/Blackberry's fault, but not having a browser with my Verizon BB sucks.

It really burns me up that I am paying for unlimited BB access and I do not have a browser to use.

[WorldIRC]

Those who need BB's already know about them. No need to advertise.

[James Bond 007]

Wow, that's an open mind for you. There are still a large community of bosses who are not of the generation D. You have to spend money to make money. You have to Advertise (get your name out there) to grow. The more BB's that are sold the more RIM can hire to keep up with demands. (Supply and Demand) More SALES more jobs, more money for the big guys, and more third party developers jumping aboard, meaning more jobs. See the light...............I know it would suck to see the teen next door showing off his BB. The BB look is for the successful Business man/woman, you look important.

[KendallParis]

Well, the 7100t was featured on The View this week as one of the new hot phones and I was just in Borders tonight and it's on the front page of I think, Laptop Magazine. They did a review of it and I believe it got 3.5 out of 5.

[RxistKJ]

Originally Posted by bperkins

My only complaint is not RIM/Blackberry's fault, but not having a browser with my Verizon BB sucks.

It really burns me up that I am paying for unlimited BB access and I do not have a browser to use.

Check out Amazon.com if you haven't already, and if you are interested in switching carriers. I purchased my 7230 for $75 after the $200 rebate and they are always offering rebates with new service. I switched from ATT to T-mobile and was able to port my telephone number...best move I ever made. If you price all the plans, T-mobile appears to be the cheapest for unlimited browser. However, Amazon is currently offering a free BB (after rebate) with a new ATT subscription.
Good Luck

[RxistKJ]

Originally Posted by James Bond 007

Wow, that's an open mind for you. There are still a large community of bosses who are not of the generation D. You have to spend money to make money. You have to Advertise (get your name out there) to grow. The more BB's that are sold the more RIM can hire to keep up with demands. (Supply and Demand) More SALES more jobs, more money for the big guys, and more third party developers jumping aboard, meaning more jobs. See the light...............I know it would suck to see the teen next door showing off his BB. The BB look is for the successful Business man/woman, you look important.

Ultimately, that's what I'm looking for...more third party applications, less BB snobbery...great post.