Re: VM continued....

[P3D <VMMARYANN@xxxxxxx>]

In a message dated 96-09-04 08:06:07 EDT, you write:

<< Look at what is offered at the local toy store:  The Magic Bus, Power 
 Rangers, Muppets, Spiderman...etc.  My guess is that the average target 
 audience is about ten years old.   If we could get middle and high schoolers

 interested, we might open up a new market... I mean, what if Bill Nye (The 
 Science Guy) were to sponsor a series of reels?  What if we had a series of 
 geometry reels based on a Star Trek theme?  This might actually get an older

 audience to start buying the reels.  but remember.... my ideas WERE a 
 fantasy.... >>

Actually the average age group that VM triggers is 5-7 year olds.  They were
going to do a Beverly Hills 90210 packet at the time the series first came
out (5 years ago?).
At any rate, they pitched the idea to Toys-R-Us (Their biggest customer) and
TRU said it wouldn't sell and they didn't go for the idea, so the project was
scrapped.

Remember the Michael Jackson Packet Thriller?  This had an amazing sales rate
but the packets on Van Halen and Menudo didn't have anywhere near Thriller so
music related packets were deemed "unsaleable".  

It appears that kids over the age of 8 or 9 are too interested in TV and
video games and computers to sit and look into the viewer even though they
can actually see the image in 3-D (compared with children 5 and under).

By the way, View-Master was looking at making a new viewer designed at the
"under 5" audience.  I believe the project is on the back burner.  Will know
more when I visit the plant again next month.

For your information as well...

The View-Master Super Sketch Projector is available from the J.C. Penny
Christmas Catalog.  If you wait to buy it till next month, there is a $3.00
rebate from Tyco.  It
is an interesting "toy" even though it only projects a 2-D image.  A bit top
heavy, it can only be used when clamped onto a table and image is very dark
(needs an update by George!).

Mary Ann Sell
The View-Master Lady in Cincinnati


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