Blame The Masses

[Lord_Of_The_LEGO]

So...apparently the Vikings will be widely available in Europe, and only available in North America through the internet, while Dino Attack will be exclusive to North America.

I quote:

Dino Attack is a line meant to appeal to North Americans consumers (i.e. NA kids). Vikings is a line meant to appeal more to European consumers (i.e. EU kids). We tend to try to release all product lines globally. Sometimes this works fine, sometimes not so much. The idea here is to create lines that appeal in a large way to each major region.

Apparently, Vikings aren't appealing too Americans and Canadians. Why? Perhaps it is our Jurassic Park, James Bond saturated culture. I believe so. Pity.

On the other hand, the European children get Vikings widely available. Odd. Are Europeans less saturated with evil dinosaurs and macho men?

Don't get me wrong, parts of the Dino Attack line are quite cool, like that helicopter. But I am mostly a castle fan, not a town/space fan. I want Vikings. Yes, I know they will be available over the internet, and I am very grateful for that, but I am sad that us Americans and Canadians have to suffer the consequences of a culture that we might not be like.

In short...where's my passport?

[Jojo]

Hello!

Apparently, Vikings aren't appealing too Americans and Canadians. Why? Perhaps it is our Jurassic Park, James Bond saturated culture. I believe so. Pity.
On the other hand, the European children get Vikings widely available. Odd. Are Europeans less saturated with evil dinosaurs and macho men?

Those are marketing decisions that I won't understand. And I think they are wrong. But who are we to question the Holy Mother TLC's well thought of decisions.... (Again: That's what the newgrey-hater-haters tell us newgrey-haters.)

In short...where's my passport? :P

I'll grant you asylum. Just bring a toothbrush :-)


Bye
Jojo

[porschecm2]

If Lego was really that bad, they wouldn't release them at all in the US. But they are releasing them here. And personally, I think if they sell amazingly well through S@H, they may bring to retail. Also, think about this: the decision may not necessarily have to do with the consumers. The simple fact is, Lego makes more money through S@H than through retail, because they garner the full retail price without the retailer taking out their profit share. So by selling them through S@H strictly, Lego will be making large profits(though whether these profits will be more than smaller individual profits from a larger market, I can't say.)

Cm2

[Robin Hood]

In short...where's my passport?

I agree.

I don't see why TLC thinks that we N.A. kids would like the dinos better than Europe's. For that matter who would like them.

To me it seems that they think N.A. kids are dumber than Europe's. I mean, a huge one piece monster against cool Vikings? No contest. I mean even the Viking animals are better than the dinos. I think that if TLC wants to get back in the Black they are going the wrong way.

Now were is that passport?

Dan

[SavaTheAggie]

Oh yes, because the Dinosaur and Jurasic Park LEGO Studio lines did SO well in North America.

I've saw two Dinosaur sets at my TRU last week what... two years after the series was discontinued? Three?

There's a Jurasic Park LEGO Studio set at my KB Toys as well.

LEGO and Dinosaurs don't sell well here, at least not in Texas and Arkansas.

Playmobil has had Vikings for a very long time. Hagar the Horrible is one of the most recognizable comic strips in the United States and has been around for how many years? The movie '13th Warrior' did pretty well IIRC. One of the most popular party costume elements sold in the US is the Fictional Viking style Helmet with Horns (and possibly two blonde braids attached as well).

No, North Americans have absolutely NO interest in vikings.

I would love to know where LEGO gets its' research and opinions when it come to global marketing.

--Anthony

[Troy T. Moore]

Also, we should not forget that is was in fact the Vikings that first discovered North America. Columbus came much later and the technology was available to exploit it at that time, in the way of larger sea vessels.

Too bad. The son of some friends of mine (he's either 13 or 14) was pretty excited when I told him the Viking line was coming. He had written TLC a couple years ago requesting Vikings.... Ah, well, he's probably the only one in Canada his age or younger that would like Vikings so, meh.

I bookmarked S@H for his mom.

[Sir_Marcellus]

I'll grant you asylum. Just bring a toothbrush


Bye
Jojo

Could you count me in, too?

Ah, yes, bazookas, machine guns and dinos for us violent Americans. What's next? Will they give us Tom Clancey sets? War re-enactments sets? Viet nam? The Rwandan Genocide? God forbid. This is indeed a pity.

[LEGOFREAK]

*mutter mutter... lets see got my toothbrush, a change of underwear, and a towel..
I think I am all set.

thanks lego for the wise marketing....

[Sir_Marcellus]

I do think that the whole dino thing is just a ruse. LEGO is producing realistic modern war sets because they may sell well, however, as long as they're blowing up DINOSAURS, then it's all good.
I don't like it.

[Draygen]

I don't really see what the huge uproar is about. If you can just order them over the Internet.. no harm.

Thats where I order most anyway. S@H will see alot of my business and what this might mean.. on a good note. Is that Vikings will come out sooner than they would've HAD they come out in NA as much as EU. So i'm not bothered much by this news.

[Jojo]

Hello!

I don't really see what the huge uproar is about. If you can just order them over the Internet.. no harm.

The problem is: Sets that are not on retail will never get sold at a loss for 25-75% off when the stores are wiping out their stock. You are bound to the (high) shop-at-home prices then.


Bye
Jojo

[Robin Hood]

I don't really see what the huge uproar is about. If you can just order them over the Internet..

Ah! Now that is the question. Because its cheaper to buy from the stores. When you order online or by phone it cost anywhere from $2 to $50 extra bucks to get the set shipped to you. Also you can occasionally get DEALS! Something I have never heard of at Shop@Home.

Dan

EDIT: Jojo! You beat me by half a sec. More or less.

[Jacob C.]

Apparently, Vikings aren't appealing too Americans and Canadians. Why?

That's odd? Considering Vikings were violent & barbaric and went on rampages through villages! You'd think more people in North America would like them!
And I've also been seeing the Viking Capital One ads on tv a lot, with the vikings rampaging through the shopping mall!!

What's next? Will they give us Tom Clancey sets? War re-enactments sets? Viet nam?

I actually wish TLC would stop being politically correct & make some Tanks, Fighter jets, & other sets of that nature etc. I gurantee they would be big sellers here in the U.S.!

[TwoTonic Knight]

Apparently, Vikings aren't appealing too Americans and Canadians. Why?

Losing the Superbowl four times without a single victory kinda does that.

Real Vikings have an attitude and wear black (Randy Moss!).

Sorry, this is supposed to be about LEGO.

One can speculate on the relative marketing sophistication and general financial health of LEGO and Playmobil (and I have backspaced over numerous humorous but unflattering comments at LEGO's expense), but it's hard to say anything truly informed rather than simply spiteful. I'd be happier if the Vikings line was on the retail shelves (more in the mix so that parts are cheaper to get), but I can survive on Shop at Home (and will be reasonably happy if they appear at LEGO stores).