I just got the email offering a free t-shirt as a promo for buying a Twelve in one of the new LE colors. Anyone else find this marketing off putting?! They’re hawking a free t-shirt with an almost $1,300 purchase?! I don’t know about the rest of you, but I find that comes off a bit tacky. I wasn’t particularly crazy about the whole ice cream marketing campaign for the same reason. Between the campaign and now the t-shirt offer, it just looks cheap and tacky, especially for a watch like The Twelve.

I don't get e-mail from CW so this is the first I've heard of this. The t-shirt thing doesn't bother me, though let's be honest - if you can buy the watch, you can afford a t-shirt.

I do however find some of the current marketing (adverts) to be a bit juvenile. I don't think the marketing people are as clever as they think they are. Sill, we are talking about it so I suppose they will call that a win.

exHowfener wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 4:21 pm I don't think the marketing people are as clever as they think they are.

Agreed!

…we are talking about it so I suppose they will call that a win.

Good point!

Don't skewer them just yet...

The IG post stated that many people were asking for the shirts after the Chicago show so they are now offering them up "with purchase". Maybe they should have put that in the email as well. So, I see this as response to customer feedback rather than gimmicky marketing ploy.

exHowfener wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 4:21 pm I do however find some of the current marketing (adverts) to be a bit juvenile.

Which could indicate you’re not the target? I agree, though, all a bit too tongue in cheek/smart alecky to appeal to me.

Here endeth today’s meeting of the Grumpy Old Men Club.

nycWATCHnerd wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 4:35 pm Don't skewer them just yet...

The IG post stated that many people were asking for the shirts after the Chicago show so they are now offering them up "with purchase". Maybe they should have put that in the email as well. So, I see this as response to customer feedback rather than gimmicky marketing ploy.

Ahh, OK. That puts a very different spin on it and completely changes my perception. Thanks for sharing.

Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 5:26 pm Which could indicate you’re not the target?…

That’s the conclusion I’ve come to. And there’s nothing wrong with no longer being their target audience.

Here endeth today’s meeting of the Grumpy Old Men Club.

I received the email.

Even if I thought that it was tacky, or concerned that others would think it tacky…

It wouldn’t influence my buying decision one way or the other.

I will though be looking for a suitably tacky marketing email and promo item giveaway to convince me to purchase a C12 Ti 38 with mainstream dial colour when they are released.

Neil

Based on the reports posted in the forum about some of the recent watch events, people were collecting a whole lot of "swag" offered by the watch brands who were attending. Seems to be part of the fun, if you like that sort of thing.

I have no issue with getting a unique T-shirt with a design connected with the purchased item. I think it's pretty common as a marketing tactic.

However, in this case, I don't like the artwork in the publicity for the Ice Cream Twelves. I get that they are trying to evoke a retro, nostalgic type of look, but I think it could have been done better. So if the design on the T-shirt is anything like their publicity/ads, I won't be impressed.

asqwerth wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 6:49 pm So if the design on the T-shirt is anything like their publicity/ads, I won't be impressed.

I snagged one at the Chicago show (pic below).

I wasn’t crazy about the whole ice cream schtick either. I still accepted the shirt and all the other swag to remember the awesome experience I had at the show. I framed the CW 20th anniversary poster and the Ice Cream shop poster I got there too.

The shirt is too big for me, but I thought I’d keep it as a memento anyway. Unless someone wants to take it off my hands for $500 and save $700 on buying a Twelve to get one just kidding of course.

For the right kind of buyer, these shirts make sense. I think the idea of the logo swag is fun but for some (many?) it would be something of a waste. I’m not unhappy to promote brands I connect with in some way.

I'm not interested in another cotton or 50/50 graphic T. I prefer plain T's made of moisture wicking materials. However, my family keeps giving me graphic T's anyhow

I think a twelve themed watch pod would be more desirable than a t-shirt and maybe cost CW a similar amount.
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I keep misreading the t shirt as "ice cream thieves"

Completely indifferent to be honest but like you I wouldn't be swayed from buying watch A or watch B by the offer of a free thing. I probably haven't worn a t-shirt for thirty years in acknowledgement that I don't need to promote the fact that my previously "balanced on the apex" triangular torso is nowadays rather more "oil drum"

Now CW, a polo shirt might be a more appealing inducement? Nah! Still not influential.

Unlooked for I received both an amazing jigsaw from CW and then a pencil drawing (a copy only) of a Snow Leopard: I'd say that they were warmly received.

Reacting to @JAFO 's comment: a watch travel pod would go down very well and would make a welcome change from another heavy cardboard and bamboo watch box.

I don’t mind freeebies, this one will be put to good use protecting my bald head from the sun today.