Could be another update to the headphone line, or possibly a new Focal/Naim speaker line. Maybe active? …new 777 PS DR (marketing did not like the 666 PS DR advertising spin). …or perhaps the much anticipated new 372 pre amp/streamer! Unfortunately only in Tin Color to match Anniversary Edition. (One color only due to supply chain issues).
Its going to be hard to get any sleep tomorrow night waiting for the announcement.
I refuse to get overexcited when A- I’ll be looking at second hand listings as result of the announced stuff rather than the announcements themselves and B- they may spread announcements out over the next few months and who knows what we will get 1st
IIRC (going back some 30odd years now!) Philip Kotler’s “Marketing Management: Analysis, Planning & Control” was a fascinating textbook that underpinned my marketing option in my Accounting & Finance degree at Uni, and your quoted definition brought those distant memories flooding back. Kotler also introduced ground-breaking marketing concepts including the 4Ps and was a pioneer (now highly successful and respected guru) in modern marketing concepts and techniques.
I have the utmost respect for his work and the art of marketing, however increasingly so as I my cynical side tends to reinforce my view that many organisations (successful, but mostly short-lived fads, usually followed by corporate failure or a quick exit (read acquisition)) have mastered modern marketing such that I prefer my definition in that (highly successful) marketing is the art of creating a (compelling) need in someone for a product, service or experience that previously (the desire, that is), either the person never knew they “needed” it or simply existed as an otherwise indifferent “want”.
Plenty of examples around but I guess we may all may be able to relate to that expensive gadget (typically kitchen-related) that we bought to solve a problem that we never really had or bothered us before, use it once or twice, find the thing creates more hassles than it fixes, and the thing promptly ends up in the loft or back of the garage until you have a clear-out or more typically move house!
Marketeer 1 - Punter 0
The art of relieving you of wads of cash, whilst in the process of making you feel good at point of purchase, to eventually be replaced with buyer’s regret.
I admire successful marketeers but IRL try and avoid them (their offerings moreso) like the plague.
Nothing personal against the marketing profession just my observations in the rich tapestry of modern life we all exist in and navigate our way through.
Bit harsh without marketing there mightn’t be stuff to sell and jobs to be had. It’s their job to keep you informed and relieve you of your cash but nobody forced you to spend. Unfortunately or fortunately we live in a capitalist world and it relies on money going round and round.
Up to a point, yes - marketing by providing information etc, in a place where potential customers will see and become aware of the item, and learn its benefits. However too much of marketing of goods is subject to excessive exaggeration, distortion, pseudo-science etc, all aimed at persuading, and whilst if downright untrue they can be prosecuted for it, it doesn’t always get to the attention of the authorities, while there is a very large grey area where things are not sufficiently blatant to be able to take action. And there is a particular side of marketing about which I have a strongly negative view, and that is sales people - whose job primarily is to persuade you to buy, even if you don’t really want whatever it is, and they use a lot of psychology in as tools of their trade. And some are extremely good at doing it. (Yes there are exceptions, and possibly more so than in many areas a good proportion of Hifi sales people could well be more enthusiast than persuasive sales people, but I am generalising.)
However, whilst I posted this in response, it is rather extending the diversion of the thread so any more might be better in a separate thread on marketing.
There’s always a fine line between good marketing and annoying marketing but as I posted the power is still with you regardless. You can turn off ignore or just be indifferent but no one forces you to spend your money it’s your decision and choice.
No you’re totally right Pete - we all have to make a living and each play to our talents/strengths in doing so. As I said my comments were tongue in cheek and not meant to be personal in any way (just MHO) as perhaps I’m increasingly cynical of some parts/elements of the commercial world I’ve experienced.
However, I am of the view that honest, well designed, thought through and executed products and services should/will always prevail and organisations that couple this with intelligent marketing and responsive R&D/Product Development functions should always have a respected and prosperous future in my book.
Anyways since my post and now catching up on the last day or so’s postings on potential new offerings I too am keen to learn what Naim might be offering (in coming dates and months) as they progress into their 50th year. It’ll be very an interesting space and hopefully will give us an insight into their future strategy in audio reproduction.
In theory, yes, however applied skillfully the psychology of selling actually can over-ride the freewill aspect of that decision and choice - the person isn’t physically forced to agree to buy something, but some sales people can skew some potential purchasers’ minds round to the decision they, the sales person wants, and not what otherwise would be the total free choice of the buyer people are persuaded by sales people. Not all sales people are that skilled, but some are, and while some buyers are more susceptible than others. A friend of mind is naturally good at persuasion, and when his business fell on hard times (nothing to do with selling), he took a job sales. He was sent on training courses that added killer skills to his natural ability, and over that and two successive built on his success he made a lot of money from commission. Then he abruptly gave it up and took a job not in sales, not earning anywhere near as much money, but his reason for changing was that he could no longer live with himself selling things to people who didn’t want or need them.
I will not follow up with more on sales or marketing in this thread, having made my point a bit clearer I think with this.
Again I don’t disagree but if ones not able to control their spending it’s the individuals fault. It doesn’t matter if one can’t control their own impulses they’re more likely to get scammed one way or another. How many people get scammed by get rich quick schemes that simply are a con. Saw a story a few years ago where a woman from Brisbane gave thousands of dollars to some “Prince” in Africa the cops and TV station set up a sting and he was caught in London. When interviewed afterwards she still believed him. You can’t help those people unfortunately.
Teaser’s up on Facebook. 4th is the launch of a “new era”. Image looks like the ones already posted, the NSC222. Heat sink fins on the side, illuminated front mounted volume control, white Naim logo in the same shape as the classic series.