[Leica] Re: uninspired Leica ads

["Roger Beamon" <roger@beamon.org>]

On 24 Nov 98, cb wrote, at least in part:

> as far as I have witnessed it many people buy Leica to impress others. I
> have seen enough Leica-'wearers' to understand that for many it is an
> attitude. The usual wearer is male, ...

<snip>

Though your stereotype of the Leica owner may be largely true 
both in Europe and even here in the U.S. and Canada, it is by no 
means true across the board.

You can lament the situation, but I hope you wouldn't choose (if 
you had the power) to prevent your stereotype from enjoying the 
fruits of his labor. It's the American dream, Christian, and I judge, 
looking at the illegal alien situation in the U.S., that of many 
economically stressed people from other countries also. Why not? 
Work hard, hopefully prosper, raise that family, educate them and 
THEN, get your Leicas. 

At the same time, give witness to the joys of photography and 
attempt to inspire the youngsters coming along to participate in 
it. At that point, we can only hope that those same youngsters 
will gravitate toward the best of the breed at that time. Further, 
we can only hope that the best of the breed is still Leica.

Believe me, more folk are attempting to impress with top of the 
line Canons and Nikons around their neck, than Leica. 

Zum beispiel! Market analysis does not always connote the truth 
of the situation. Businesses often do flawed analyses or 
incorrectly assess a well done analysis, thereby fail in a given 
market. Perhaps Leica has erred in this case.
- --
Roger
mailto:roger@beamon.org

     He, who will not reason, is a bigot;
     he, who cannot, is a fool;
     and he, who dares not, is a slave.
          -- William Drumond, Scottish writer (1585-1649)