Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!cmcl2!nrl-cmf!ames!sdcsvax!nosc!cod!rupp From: rupp@cod.NOSC.MIL (William L. Rupp) Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st Subject: Re: Atari's Marketing Approach Message-ID: <909@cod.NOSC.MIL> Date: Thu, 3-Dec-87 17:15:43 EST Article-I.D.: cod.909 Posted: Thu Dec 3 17:15:43 1987 Date-Received: Mon, 7-Dec-87 06:40:16 EST References: <8711301706.AA18559@cory.Berkeley.EDU> <899@atari.UUCP> Reply-To: rupp@cod.nosc.mil.UUCP (William L. Rupp) Organization: Computer Sciences Corp., San Diego Lines: 49 In article <899@atari.UUCP> neil@atari.UUCP (Neil Harris) writes: >>The reason for the ad policy is simple. We have plenty of game machines and >>terrific distribution for them. So we advertise heavily. On the computer >>side, the distribution is not as strong and we're pretty much sold out of >>product this season. Why advertise if the consumer is unlikely to find the >>machine available? >>-- >>--->Neil Harris, Director of Marketing Communications, Atari Corporation > > Well, I give Mr. Harris a lot of credit for publicly signing his name to so preposterous/humorous a statement! What does it boil down to? This: 1. We push our game machines because we have a lot of them. 2. We don't push the computers because we don't have a lot of them. 3. Anyway, if we *did* push the computers, people would be really sad because of point #2. 4. We are unconcerned that continued lack of publicity for the computer line may tend to: (a) preclude winning any new customers, and (b) dry up whatever interest that has been generated despite Atari's non-existant advertising for the product. As Dr. Venckman said in "Ghost Busters" to the possessed Sigourney Weaver when the later asked "Do you want this body?", IS THIS A TRICK QUESTION?? Mr. Harris, pardon me, but is it conceivable that you *would* be able to advertise (and sell) more ST's and other Atari computers if you *built more of them*?! I don't think anyone would blame Atari for advertising their most profitable products. The question that you have raised in my mind is, are you serious about selling Atari computers? If Atari is serious, then produce more units and advertise more vigorously. If you do not feel that that policy is viable, then I have to question why you continue to carry microcomputers in your product line. Bill ====================================================================== I speak for myself, and not on behalf of any other person or organization .........................How's that, Gary? ======================================================================