Cigar Marketing

[swingerofbirches]

I'm a marketing nut and this past weekend got to wondering what the good folks of botl had to say about today's cigar marketing ...

So, who's marketing most speaks to you and why? It can be an individual, a collaboration, a manufacturer, etc ...


I was originally thinking of posting this as a poll but decided to just go with a regular thread as certain industry figures represent numerous brands and some other brands are collaborative efforts, etc ...

 

[dpricenator]

Rocky Patel's ads are great, They all say that This cigar is the best cigar ever made. And then they add a picture of a smiling Rocky Patel. Man just doesn't get better than that.

 

[.jacob]

Are you a marketer?

For constant buzz and brand affinity I think Tatuaje is on the money. It has a great grass roots following with a down to earth man behind it, but lately I feel like they're becoming like Viaje and diluting their market with so many LEs.

 

[bmony]

I think marketing works great on those new to the hobby of smoking cigars. I know when I started I had the misconception that shiny bands and fancy boxes along with higher prices would mean better cigars.

If it's a new cigar by an established manufacturer I base my decision to try it based on my past experience with the brand and opinions by those on this board moreso than any advertising. There are a few manufacturer's where I will try their new releases because I like the majority of their cigar lines.

 

[swingerofbirches]

Are you a marketer?

For constant buzz and brand affinity I think Tatuaje is on the money. It has a great grass roots following with a down to earth man behind it, but lately I feel like they're becoming like Viaje and diluting their market with so many LEs.

Nope I don't work in marketing or anything ... it's just something that interests me.

 

[Highlander]

I've not seen much print ad marketing myself. The only marketing I've been exposed to were some cigar events at local B&M's. Those didn't make me want to buy the brands at all.

 

[Treinenwj]

I think a lot of their most successful marketing is in forum memberships. It doesn't cost them anything but a little time, and a few posts here and there gets us all buzzing about whatever deal or new line is coming up.

 

[The EVP]

Jose Oliva and Sam Lecci were genious with the way they marketed Nub and Cain. They let the internet forums do the word-of-mouth advertising for them. Then they had Sam drive around in the Nub Mini and raffle it off from entries gotten while doing Nub Events all over the country. Then they did the Cain tour with Sam rolling many one-of-a-kind Cain's for people. It's pretty safe to say that Nub wouldn't have made it without the online community.

As someone that works in Marketing, I feel the best forms of marketing are in-store events. It's direct, leads to instant sales since the store has to buy cigars in order to support the event, the customers get to ask the rep questions directly and get immediate feedback.

The only thing I hate is when I'm doing an in-store event and a customer thinks I'm going to give them free stuff when they, 1) didn't ask about my product, 2) have no interest in my product, 3) didn't buy my product or 4) told me how much they hate my product but would hate it less if I gave them something. My fav was from someone that said, "Oh yeah, I know your product and hate it. I'd never buy one but I'd use it if you gave me one." My reply was, "Great! Now we're both disappointed."

 

[Docbp87]

I really dislike most mail order houses, and their deceptive marketing. Frankly, I wish there was more transparency in the cigar industry, with regard to blends, etc.

 

[tobii3]

I think a lot of their most successful marketing is in forum memberships.

That is actually the smallest part. There have been untold numbers of reps and owners who join an online community only to be hammered with ""send me free samples"" emails and PM's, leaving them feeling like the ugly girl home alone on Prom night with a drunk frat guy knocking at the door.

That isn't marketing (as noted by EVP)

The only thing I hate is when I'm doing an in-store event and a customer thinks I'm going to give them free stuff when they, 1) didn't ask about my product, 2) have no interest in my product, 3) didn't buy my product or 4) told me how much they hate my product but would hate it less if I gave them something. My fav was from someone that said, "Oh yeah, I know your product and hate it. I'd never buy one but I'd use it if you gave me one." My reply was, "Great! Now we're both disappointed."

The Reality?

Hard to believe, but there are millions of cigar smokers out there that don't smoke "excitement" and definitely don't smoke "hype".

Macanudo is the #1 selling cigar in America. What sort of buzz does it generate in the online community?

What sort of "buzz" do Alliance Tobacco and General receive in the online community?

 

[thegoldenmackid]

I really dislike most mail order houses, and their deceptive marketing. Frankly, I wish there was more transparency in the cigar industry, with regard to blends, etc.

Thank you... You have hit numerous key points.

Pete Johnson is by far the best. He's managed to create a loyal group of fans who will follow him no matter what it is. The irony is, the same group who follow Pete, complain that Rocky makes too many cigars, etc...

By the way Charlie...

 

[The EVP]

Macanudo is the #1 selling cigar in America. What sort of buzz does it generate in the online community?

What sort of "buzz" do Alliance Tobacco and General receive in the online community?

Very good point.

 

[Docbp87]

Thank you... You have hit numerous key points.

Pete Johnson is by far the best. He's managed to create a loyal group of fans who will follow him no matter what it is. The irony is, the same group who follow Pete, complain that Rocky makes too many cigars, etc...

By the way Charlie...

The difference is that Pete is totally transparent with the process, and his tobacco, where Rocky seems to just say "SUPER RARE SUPER SPECIAL TOBACCO" for everything. Then he smiles and winks, and stabs you in the back...

 

[megladon8]

I love Tatuaje but I agree with .jacob about their incredible number of LE's.

It seems like half of their blends are so hard to find (and so expensive when you do) that most people (myself included) will be lucky if they get one or two of them...which in my humble opinion is not enough to judge a whole line.

This is where we could link back to that "fiscal responsibility" thread. It becomes a Keeping Up With the Joneses scenario.

The Tat Monster Series' are an awesome idea...but I think they should be more readily available. Even if it's for a short period of time - say, a month or two - they should at least be easy to come by during that time.

It really seems like you almost cannot get a box of the Monster Series cigars unless you have a "connection" - a friend who works in the industry, a friend who owns a smoke shop, etc.

 

[Treinenwj]

I think they did a good job of making the Monsters pretty widely available this year. Now, if they would only sell for $1.30 a stick, I could afford to get some!

 

[Docbp87]

It really seems like you almost cannot get a box of the Monster Series cigars unless you have a "connection" - a friend who works in the industry, a friend who owns a smoke shop, etc.

This may have been the case in previous years, but The Face was really easy to find, especially with the 1300 10ct. boxes being released. I mean, even popular online vendors had them listed on their sites.

That said, they are limited editions for more than one reason, usually the result of special tobacco (and not Rocky's magic moon tobacco that is SUPER RARE) that there is only a limited quantity of. This also is the reason for the pricing.

 

[The EVP]

I think the difference between Rocky and Pete is that Rocky came out with so many blends in such a short period of time. All of a sudden you had his seasonal collections, Patel Brothers, Renessaince, 1961, ITC 10th anni, etc. Not to mention he put his name on a lot of cigars that he shouldn't have (R4 anyone?).

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a Rocky whore. I love the edge series (esp the Sumatra) and the Vintages. But even I was getting a little tired of the over-exposure.

 

[BrooksW]

I love Tatuaje but I agree with .jacob about their incredible number of LE's.

It seems like half of their blends are so hard to find (and so expensive when you do) that most people (myself included) will be lucky if they get one or two of them...which in my humble opinion is not enough to judge a whole line.

This is where we could link back to that "fiscal responsibility" thread. It becomes a Keeping Up With the Joneses scenario.

The Tat Monster Series' are an awesome idea...but I think they should be more readily available. Even if it's for a short period of time - say, a month or two - they should at least be easy to come by during that time.

It really seems like you almost cannot get a box of the Monster Series cigars unless you have a "connection" - a friend who works in the industry, a friend who owns a smoke shop, etc.

In regards to previous years Monster releases, you would be correct, but he fixed that for the Face...There is MORE then enough Face to go around...in fact, I know of 4 different stores I can call right now and get as many 10 count boxes as I need...

~brooks

 

[megladon8]

In regards to previous years Monster releases, you would be correct, but he fixed that for the Face...There is MORE then enough Face to go around...in fact, I know of 4 different stores I can call right now and get as many 10 count boxes as I need...

~brooks

Really?

Because I got a single The Face stick. And to be entirely honest, I may very well sell or trade it away.

To me, having one of something and knowing that I'll never be able to get it again is a huge tease, most especially if it's a really good cigar (which The Face apparently is).

 

[Docbp87]

Really?

Because I got a single The Face stick. And to be entirely honest, I may very well sell or trade it away.

To me, having one of something and knowing that I'll never be able to get it again is a huge tease, most especially if it's a really good cigar (which The Face apparently is).

So get a 10ct. box!