Got a cool letter from Porsche yesterday!
02-01-2005, 11:44 AM
#16
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Originally Posted by Holger B
I did one of those a few years back about the Cayenne prior to its intro. It's a complete waste of time. Let me explain...
It's a focus group run by a marketing firm. You sit in a hi-rise downtown conference room with a two-way mirror and it's tightly run and guided by a moderator. My group had about 8 people in it (myself and 1 other 996 owner and enthusiast, 1 guy who bought a 996 because it was good to drive his big dog around in, 1 guy who bought one for his wife (he drove it 3 times and damaged it each time) and the rest were women who didn't own P-cars and could care less about cars). The moderator asks a bunch of stupid marketing questions (what adjectives do you think of when you hear "Porsche"?) related to image, etc. There's some vague talk about the new model. Any pertinant comments from you as an owner/enthusiast that don't mesh with the thinking of the moderator get pushed aside for gibberish from the people who've never even owned, let alone driven, a P-car.
It's all BS. The marketing people have these predetermined ideas that they want the "public" to rubber stamp so they can use it as a CYA if things go bad down the line. If you don't mouth what they want to hear, you're ignored.
One interesting discussion area involved motorsports. Myself and the other car guy said that P-car owners want to see Porsche compete at the highest levels of road/endurance racing again and that this was a common feeling among owners. We were shouted down by the others who didn't attend, watch or care about races. They came to the brilliant conclusion that Nascar or F1 would be a good place for Porsche to be...if it had to do some racing.
Take the 200 bucks, eat their snack foods & soda and try not to get too frustrated by some of the stupidity you'll see & hear. Maybe your focus group will be more interesting than the one I participated in, but I wouldn't get your hopes up.
It's a focus group run by a marketing firm. You sit in a hi-rise downtown conference room with a two-way mirror and it's tightly run and guided by a moderator. My group had about 8 people in it (myself and 1 other 996 owner and enthusiast, 1 guy who bought a 996 because it was good to drive his big dog around in, 1 guy who bought one for his wife (he drove it 3 times and damaged it each time) and the rest were women who didn't own P-cars and could care less about cars). The moderator asks a bunch of stupid marketing questions (what adjectives do you think of when you hear "Porsche"?) related to image, etc. There's some vague talk about the new model. Any pertinant comments from you as an owner/enthusiast that don't mesh with the thinking of the moderator get pushed aside for gibberish from the people who've never even owned, let alone driven, a P-car.
It's all BS. The marketing people have these predetermined ideas that they want the "public" to rubber stamp so they can use it as a CYA if things go bad down the line. If you don't mouth what they want to hear, you're ignored.
One interesting discussion area involved motorsports. Myself and the other car guy said that P-car owners want to see Porsche compete at the highest levels of road/endurance racing again and that this was a common feeling among owners. We were shouted down by the others who didn't attend, watch or care about races. They came to the brilliant conclusion that Nascar or F1 would be a good place for Porsche to be...if it had to do some racing.
Take the 200 bucks, eat their snack foods & soda and try not to get too frustrated by some of the stupidity you'll see & hear. Maybe your focus group will be more interesting than the one I participated in, but I wouldn't get your hopes up.
02-01-2005, 12:34 PM
#17
Originally Posted by ben in lj
And the bad news is these folks are today's majority Pcar buyer - not us enthusiasts.
My focus group was filled with mostly morons because they couldn't get Pcar owners to show up for the money they were offering (as others have mentioned, most owners' time is worth more than $50/hour). I did it out of curiosity and to possibly have some input on future product/direction. Big waste of time, as there were only 2 of us that knew anything about Pcars (or cars in general) and we were ignored or pushed aside on most of the issues...which sort of mirrors the direction Porsche is headed.
I thought the new focus groups might be about the sedan, but it's too early for that. The guess about the Boxster coupe is probably right. At the end, you'll get to see some commercials for it and discuss them. That's the reason for the group after they stereotype what type of consumer you are from the discussion beforehand.
02-01-2005, 12:39 PM
#18
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Originally Posted by DeAd-EyE
HAHA! niice...200$ and you don't even have to buy a timeshare 
.
if you get a chance, please tell them: FIX RMS, LIGHTER WEIGHT, MAKE 997 GT3 Very Hardcore.
.if you get a chance, please tell them: FIX RMS, LIGHTER WEIGHT, MAKE 997 GT3 Very Hardcore.
Just make the GT3 for the USA again with the 997 shell!! and make it with the right engine!!! PLEASE!!! Even if it means the same engine as the current one 
.
02-02-2005, 12:22 AM
#19
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I got the call for the focus group and was offered plan A or B the extended group with discussion.
I chose B (more money).
Having graduated from one of the leading design schools in the country, ACCD these events really are alot of fun to me, and I bring a different perspective. Done enough of them, to know the drill.
Was at one for mini-vans, and the other people were amazed when I pointed out that the focus van was really a clay model
I chose B (more money).
Having graduated from one of the leading design schools in the country, ACCD these events really are alot of fun to me, and I bring a different perspective. Done enough of them, to know the drill.
Was at one for mini-vans, and the other people were amazed when I pointed out that the focus van was really a clay model
02-02-2005, 12:29 AM
#20
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God hopes they don't want your opinion on some new 4 door sedan with great stereo and auto transmission, or worse yet, a pepper pickup!!
02-02-2005, 02:27 AM
#22
Three Wheelin'
I got a call today and I'm going to the focus group on the 19th. It is definitely for a new coupe, so my guess is the new Boxster Coupe. I wonder if I can sneak some shots with my cell phone camera.
02-02-2005, 12:40 PM
#23
Originally Posted by Chicago996
Apparently, I have been chosen by PCNA to participate in some survey. The wording on the letter says they want my impressions on various new p-vehicles. It’s supposed to take 2.5 hours and I get paid $200 (whoo hoo) for it. I’m supposed to get a call in the next 2 weeks from the marketing company to get things in motion. I’m wondering whether the “impressions” are strictly related to what I hear/see around me or whether I’m actually going to get paid for some seat time in a new 911/Pepper/Box/??? I’m psyched to do either one! 
When are you going? I am scheduled for the 11th of February.
02-02-2005, 12:44 PM
#24
Originally Posted by Fast40th
I've done some of these in the past with BMW. Who knows you might even get to see an upcoming prototype. Enjoy and take some spy shots! 
02-02-2005, 01:07 PM
#25
Three Wheelin'
I was told that we would be inspecting the new model in person INDIVIDUALLY before the focus group. They don't want us influencing each other's opinion when actually viewing the car.
02-02-2005, 02:47 PM
#26
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I'm scheduled to attend a session in Boston Thursday at 6:00 PM. It's at a big exhibition hall so I was hoping to actually see a prototype or mockup. I'll let you know what happened.
02-02-2005, 04:54 PM
#27
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I haven't heard anything as far as to when/where and what I'm going to be doing. Sounds like a lot of folks found out in the last day, so I'm hoping there is a call waiting for me when I get home tonight!
