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frogboy4
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I never quite understood that either, but Piggy really doesn't sell as well when in a line with other Muppet characters. It's the unfortunate reality of the porcine goddess that is well known in merchandising. It is also something the Henson Company used to tell licensors. However, she does sell very well in a Piggy-exclusive niche. Go figure.
You are right. The order of these (like the Palisades Mega Muppets) was not ideal and will leave core characters out to dry. I have to remind myself that marketing these things is hard and it is easier to talk about than actually sell, but here is how I think it should have gone:
1 Kermit the Frog
2 Fozzie Bear
3 Gonzo
4 Animal
(5) During this time they should independently or adjacently, market Piggy poser with a limited edition, yet long-term sales strategy as she is much more difficult with her wigs, clothing and a notoriously more difficult selling point. This is a unique product where the pig has the potential to really do well if targeted correctly.
*If there was time they could test the market with a slightly less core character like Dr. Teeth, Rowlf, Pepe, Beaker or Rizzo. Other than that, I think stopping at 5 or 6 is probably the best idea. They should have then focused on Muppet Moments like *accurately crafted* fluid poses of key characters frozen in their most iconic times (i.e. Rowlf's ears mid-flop while playing his brown upright) that could also be used as bookends or other such household items. There really is a goldmine to be had in the Muppets. The timing was off for Palisades and Sideshow, but MR is right at the heart of things. If not them, someone else will do it eventually. (EDIT - I didn't mean other companies would create posers really, rather they would create Muppet figural representations.)
You are right. The order of these (like the Palisades Mega Muppets) was not ideal and will leave core characters out to dry. I have to remind myself that marketing these things is hard and it is easier to talk about than actually sell, but here is how I think it should have gone:
1 Kermit the Frog
2 Fozzie Bear
3 Gonzo
4 Animal
(5) During this time they should independently or adjacently, market Piggy poser with a limited edition, yet long-term sales strategy as she is much more difficult with her wigs, clothing and a notoriously more difficult selling point. This is a unique product where the pig has the potential to really do well if targeted correctly.
*If there was time they could test the market with a slightly less core character like Dr. Teeth, Rowlf, Pepe, Beaker or Rizzo. Other than that, I think stopping at 5 or 6 is probably the best idea. They should have then focused on Muppet Moments like *accurately crafted* fluid poses of key characters frozen in their most iconic times (i.e. Rowlf's ears mid-flop while playing his brown upright) that could also be used as bookends or other such household items. There really is a goldmine to be had in the Muppets. The timing was off for Palisades and Sideshow, but MR is right at the heart of things. If not them, someone else will do it eventually. (EDIT - I didn't mean other companies would create posers really, rather they would create Muppet figural representations.)
There was so little advertising for all of these really. And we forget that Kermit did sell through, but he did take a lot longer than expected (well over a year). That shouldn't have happened. I will also never get over the poor photos of Gonzo and Animal. It was almost like some gremlin with a camera at MR wanted all the posers to himself and tried to tank the line! 