Fuji launch 'choose-film'

[Roger Hicks]

I hope the marketing people Kodak are taking notes on this for their sake.

I hope the same thing, for the sake of all film users. But I'm not holding my breath...

To quote a German journalist, looking around the breathtakingly bland Kodak stand at photokina, "Do you think they know what they are selling?"

If you query the term 'breathtakingly bland', all I can say is that you wouldn't, if you'd seen it.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Baxter Bradford]

breathtakingly bland Kodak

Perhaps they were seeking to maximise their "Bland loyalty"?

 

[Roger Hicks]

Perhaps they were seeking to maximise their "Bland loyalty"?

Dear Baxter,

Pelfectly collect, I think. 'Bland loyalty' must surely enter the language. An incompalable phlase.

Cheers,

R.

 

[gr82bart]

Hmmm ... I see that if another company did this, the several 'flaws' in this site would have been the focus of attention not the blindfull heaps of praise I read here. Though I see the opportunity to take the odd jab at the other company isn't beneath a couple haters still.

Anyway, this is a good thing for film all around, so great job to Fujifilm UK Limited.

Regards, Art. (Fleath don't you dare dis Fuji in this anti-Kodak crowd, you're gonna get lynched.)

 

[dmr]

Hi folks, I am wondering if anyone has seen an actual official notice of this site made by Fuji other than an email. I can not seem to find any mention of this on fuji or fuji.co.uk websites. The choose-film site is not registered to fuji, the system it is based on a wordpress blog which could be built in about an hour, slap on some fuji logos and content etc..

I've wondered about this too, particularly after reading some comments like this on another system.

Hey, I'm not shy. I'll just ask on that site and see if I get an answer.

 

[Jorge Orte Tudela]

Well, I'm not related to Fuji or Choose Film, but I'm going to copy&paste the answer I left you in choose-film.com:

Read the “Privacy Policy”, “Terms & Conditions” and “Contact Us” sections.

As well, if you look the profile of the first two members, Darron Hartas and Pete Brandon, you’ll see a link that points to:

http://www.wpsmedia.co.uk/

A marketing company that works for Fujifilm Professional.

 

[Bob F.]

The site is registered to a company that does online marketing for Fuji UK (amongst others). This is not necessarily a bad thing as I doubt Fuji UK has the skill-set to build a website, so it makes sense to get an outside company with which they are familiar to do the site.

If Fujifilm UK are genuine about promoting film (and the total lack of any sign of film on their stand at Focus frankly makes one wonder about that) then they will have to take an active part in the new site. If they do not, it will simply fade away.

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Jorge Orte Tudela]

then they will have to take an active part in the new site. If they do not, it will simply fade away.

I agree.

I think they planned the site as an online shop to sell outdated film collecting dust in their wharehouses, with some free services to increase interest in the site.

I think it's a smart marketing move. But I guess it can become easily a customers fidelity program if they want (and it shows some signs of it), but fidelity programs needs implication, and a new community needs activity, and that's what choose-film lacks now.

But it's still a really young community, and very UK oriented, they need more international services to grow up.

Time will tell.

 

[Jorge Orte Tudela]

Duplicate post.

 

[gr82bart]

The truth begins to seep out ... Seems like all a company has to do is nothing, but have a third party arms length marketer "say" they support film but not really act on it in any way that's material or tangible and they get heaps of praise. Whilst another tells the truth, yet offers up the most comprehensive film product offering around, (heck even give it away for free to several folks who'll bite their hand even) and they are demonized.

Interesting.

Regards, Art.

 

[jstraw]

I think they planned the site as an online shop to sell outdated film collecting dust in their wharehouses[sic]...

What do you base this on?

 

[Roger Hicks]

The truth begins to seep out ... Seems like all a company has to do is nothing, but have a third party arms length marketer "say" they support film but not really act on it in any way that's material or tangible and they get heaps of praise. Whilst another tells the truth, yet offers up the most comprehensive film product offering around, (heck even give it away for free to several folks who'll bite their hand even) and they are demonized.

Interesting.

Regards, Art.

Dear Art,

Well, maybe it would be a good idea for Kodak to say they support film, too, instead of bad-mouthing it at almost every opportunity. Do you really deny that Perez could be a lot cleverer about voicing Kodak's support for silver halide?

Then again, there are those who confuse criticism and demonization. I've not actually seen anyone demonizing Kodak on this thread, and I have myself on occasion said (and will repeat now) that they make some of the finest film in the world. They're just not very good at selling it to enthusiasts. There are plenty in Kodak who would agree with that statement.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Jorge Orte Tudela]

If Kodak was the responsible of Choose Film I would have signed-up as well.

I'm neither anti-Kodak nor pro-Fuji. I use Kodak, Fuji, Ilford, Forte, Bergger and Tetenal products.

 

[Jorge Orte Tudela]

What do you base this on?

Just a guess. It's what I would have done.

 

[jstraw]

Just a guess. It's what I would have done.

Umm...ok.

 

[jd callow]

From my experience this site is for collecting email addys for optin email marketing and to a lesser degree to sell short dated film. I spent last summer building sites for fortune 100 companies which had this very same purpose. The big companies are not happy with passive internet advertising and see email marketing as the way to go. This one was done on a very low budget and received incredibly high response. The absence of fuji people should be a bit of a give away to their purpose, but I suspect the rapid growth will change that. If not I wouldn't be surprised to see sentiment change for those posting.

Fuji shouldn't be slammed for doing this, just as kodak shouldn't be slammed for trying to stay in business.

Although, Art's been a bit testy lately, I agree with him about the tone toward Kodak. The constant kodak bashing is a bit much. They offer more choices in film than Fuji or ilford, they just built a new b&w facility, and are in the process of upgrading all of their colour neg materials. What more do you want free film? Ops they did that too and took it on the chin here.

Kodak's problem is Perez's inept public persona. Their deeds tend to belie his words (fingers crossed - touch wood)

 

[Andy K]

Although, Art's been a bit testy lately, I agree with him about the tone toward Kodak. The constant kodak bashing is a bit much. They offer more choices in film than Fuji or ilford, they just built a new b&w facility, and are in the process of upgrading all of their colour neg materials. What more do you want free film? Ops they did that too and took it on the chin here.

Kodak's problem is Perez's inept public persona. Their deeds tend to belie his words (fingers crossed - touch wood)

John, the tone you detect is not necessarily directed toward Kodak as a whole, but toward Perez and his seeming disregard for the importance of their core business.

 

[dmr]

Ok, I think I'm getting the point, in that it's not DIRECTLY sponsored by Fuji, but run by a third party in some kind of affiliation with Fuji.

From my experience this site is for collecting email addys for optin email marketing and to a lesser degree to sell short dated film.

Let's see how much sp^H^Hcommercial e-mail I get from this. I don't remember any opt-in or opt-out checkboxes when I signed up.

Fuji shouldn't be slammed for doing this,

I don't think Fuji or the marketing company should be slammed at all. It's a Good Thing<tm> to have more film resources out there. A win-win for all involved.

As I think about it, I might welcome something like this here in the States, as local prices for the Fuji films that are not sold at Wally World and Tar-jhay do run on the high side.

 

[copake_ham]

From my experience this site is for collecting email addys for optin email marketing and to a lesser degree to sell short dated film. I spent last summer building sites for fortune 100 companies which had this very same purpose. The big companies are not happy with passive internet advertising and see email marketing as the way to go. This one was done on a very low budget and received incredibly high response. The absence of fuji people should be a bit of a give away to their purpose, but I suspect the rapid growth will change that. If not I wouldn't be surprised to see sentiment change for those posting.

Fuji shouldn't be slammed for doing this, just as kodak shouldn't be slammed for trying to stay in business.

Although, Art's been a bit testy lately, I agree with him about the tone toward Kodak. The constant kodak bashing is a bit much. They offer more choices in film than Fuji or ilford, they just built a new b&w facility, and are in the process of upgrading all of their colour neg materials. What more do you want free film? Ops they did that too and took it on the chin here.

Kodak's problem is Perez's inept public persona. Their deeds tend to belie his words (fingers crossed - touch wood)

I totally agree with you on this. Just wish I'd said it first!

 

[gr82bart]

<snip> Art's been a bit testy lately, <snip>

At the begining of the year everyone working in and around labs had to get their annual check up. So, off I went to the Health Services Department to meet with the staff nurse. Standard procedure:

• Two arms? Check!
• Two legs? Check!
• One head? Screwed on a bit loosely, but everything seems fine. Check!

She then begins to hand me a book from the Mayo Clinic about self diagnosis and treatments of common illnesses and such. A good read should one be a hypochondriack and missing any anxieties.

Anyway, she's explaining all this and hands me the most interesting door knocker I have ever seen.

To those that don't know what a door knocker is, it's a marketing device basically, that hangs on your door handle - usually with words like "Do not disturb." Most frequently seen in hotels.

Anyway, this door knocker was of particular interest as it was for a testicular self examination. I kid you not - a testicular self examination. Pictures, diagrams, numbers to tell you which step goes first and second, etc... where to place your hands, what to feel for and where the delicate areas are. That sort of thing. Let me say it again - a testicular self examination.

Had she been a little younger, maybe a little less rotund and defintely had I had a lot more alcohol, I would have mustered up the courage for a personal demonstration. I mean what if I've never done a testicular self examination before? I could hurt myself! Go blind, right?

Hmmm ... let's see what it says: It recommends to do this for 3 minutes, once a month. Best time is after a shower or a warm bath. Fingers gliding over delicate parts with soapy skin makes it easier to concentrate on texture (ya sure). Plus the heat from warm water is relaxing. There's no mention of candles or Barry White. It doesn't say to smoke a cig afterwards is optional either.

So, basically this door knocker showed you how to feel yourself up and have a viable medical explanation for doing so. It hangs on my office door handle when I don't want anyone to disturb me.

Unlike Blansky, I couldn't make this stuff up.

Kodak's problem is Perez's inept public persona. Their deeds tend to belie his words

The day he's ousted is the day we dance in the streets.

fingers crossed - touch wood

Apparently that's not the correct way to perform a tesicular self examination. Soapy warm water John. Soapy warm water.

Regards, Art. (Should anyone want a copy of the testicular self examination door knocker, I'll scan it in and post a link. Not for the faint.)

 

[jd callow]

Should anyone want a copy of the testicular self examination door knocker, I'll scan it in and post a link. Not for the faint.

Please! Can you post it on the tech gallery?

 

[Andy K]

Guys, thanks but no thanks! I am laying in a hospital bed as I type (I have had a sudden deterioration of the vision in my left eye as the result of a blocked vein in the eye), awaiting a CT scan of my head, having already had a barrage of opthalmic tests, blood tests, x_rays etc. I really don't need to think about any other kinds of examination! :rolleyes:

 

[Roger Hicks]

Please! Can you post it on the tech gallery?

Now we really are talking bollocks!

(Don't know if that translates into American or even Canadian, though I think it does into Australian).

Cheers,

R.

 

[copake_ham]

.... I mean what if I've never done a testicular self examination before? I could hurt myself! Go blind, right?

Hmmm ... let's see what it says: It recommends to do this for 3 minutes, once a month. Best time is after a shower or a warm bath. Fingers gliding over delicate parts with soapy skin makes it easier to concentrate on texture (ya sure). Plus the heat from warm water is relaxing. There's no mention of candles or Barry White. It doesn't say to smoke a cig afterwards is optional either.

Art,

When John said you were acting a bit "testy" lately - I had no idea what he really meant!

 

[johnnywalker]

Hi Andy,

I'll be thinking of you. Hopefully you'll be out of there and as good as new soon.

Guys, thanks but no thanks! I am laying in a hospital bed as I type (I have had a sudden deterioration of the vision in my left eye as the result of a blocked vein in the eye), awaiting a CT scan of my head, having already had a barrage of opthalmic tests, blood tests, x_rays etc. I really don't need to think about any other kinds of examination! :rolleyes: