[Leica] Cameras Real Pros Use

[jon.streeter at cox.net (jon.streeter)]

I would like to hear more about analyzing companies.  Sounds like heady and 
fascinating work. 
Your analysis of Leica's marketing plan sounds entirely reasonable to me.  

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

----- Reply message -----
From: "Jayanand Govindaraj" <jayanand at gmail.com>
To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org>
Subject: [Leica] Cameras Real Pros Use
Date: Fri, Nov 30, 2012 10:28 pm


Geoff,
No, that is not what I meant, please read what is written, not what you
want to read.

The oligarchs and most of the Leica market today are clueless about what a
Leica is capable of. There is no issue in my mind, as one who has made a
living analyzing companies, that we (the serious amateur and professional
photographers) are not their target market. Not by a long shot. At present,
it is the rich Russian and Chinese, though this is a moving target, as it
must be to succeed. There is a reason why new models are always available
in these markets before the USA and Europe. There is also no doubt where
all these special editions that they come out with sell the most. Do you
know where the M9 was most heavily advertized? Not in any camera magazine,
but GQ, Esquire and magazines in that category, right next to Armani, Rolex
and Montblanc - all aspirational brands. I think that their marketing focus
and strategy is perfect - the nouveau riche of the Third World, and the
aspirational yuppie of the developed world - they would not be able to
survive otherwise.

There are, what 50 M9 cameras that were bought new by members of the list?
Or 100? You know, maybe, where 500 bodies are (friends of friends of
friends, etc.).
Where do you think the other 29000+ bodies sold?

Fuji, to me have been very smart. They have noticed that there is a big
market that just says "Hey, look at that cool looking camera" and buys the
product - and are trying to muscle in into Leica's design oriented market,
with a cheaper product. Luckily for me, they put in autofocus, and I
purchased it. If Leica had done that earlier,or Nikon as was being rumored
at one point of time, I would have bought their offering, with new lenses
to boot. This is a bit of equipment I was looking for, and that is all
there is to it. Doubtless others will look at Fuji's success and try the
same, it is the way of the commercial world.

Cheers
Jayanand



On Sat, Dec 1, 2012 at 10:48 AM, Geoff Hopkinson <hopsternew at 
gmail.com>wrote:

> Jayanand, people that chose to buy Leica are clueless!!??
> I dispute your 'simple fact' that none of us are their target market
> either.
> Where is this analysis about oligarchs that keep the company in the black?
>
> Those are silly characterisations, generalisations or recycled internet
> chatter absent supporting facts.
> Never mind, another cycle of threads has begun. Have at it again..
>
> Cheers,
> Geoff
> http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman
>
>
>
> On 1 December 2012 12:10, Jayanand Govindaraj <jayanand at gmail.com> 
> wrote:
>
> > Phil, Douglas,
> > As someone with over 35 years experience of analyzing company behaviour,
> I
> > would say that none of us represent the market that Leica are targeting
> > nowadays. Simple fact. I am not saying what they are doing is wrong, in
> > fact I think their focus is absolutely right. Do you think they can
> survive
> > on what we all collectively buy new every year? No, it is the oligarchs
> > that keep the company in the black - be grateful for the clueless. In
> that
> > sort of luxury market, unfortunately, the end sale prices are directly
> > related to what the market will bear, and not to the costs involved. With
> > their finite resources, I doubt that they can handle the costs of R&D and
> > marketing in too many different niches.
> > Cheers
> > Jayanand
> >
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>

_______________________________________________
Leica Users Group.
See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information