Why are there no bicycle commercials?
08-19-09, 01:07 PM
#1
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Why are there no bicycle commercials?
I was watching a little TV this morning and saw 15+ car ads. Trying to make cars seem super cool with super cool techno music, loud drums, flashy colors, and a sweet super cool "Starting at $16, 988" price tag.
It got me thinking:
How come we don't see any biking commercials?
I know commercials can be very expensive, and companies like Trek/Cannondale/Giant/Insert whoever here don't have the cash like *giggle* GM, Ford, Honda, etc.
But they COULD do selective commercials for cheaper in cities where the rewards could be higher (Portland, San Fran, Boston, etc).
Discuss.
It got me thinking:
How come we don't see any biking commercials?
I know commercials can be very expensive, and companies like Trek/Cannondale/Giant/Insert whoever here don't have the cash like *giggle* GM, Ford, Honda, etc.
But they COULD do selective commercials for cheaper in cities where the rewards could be higher (Portland, San Fran, Boston, etc).
Discuss.
08-19-09, 01:23 PM
#2
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I recall seeing LA in Trek ads on a regular basis on cable and/or network TV. Cervelo and Specialized advertised heavily on OLN during TDF.
08-19-09, 01:30 PM
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I've seen Mongoose and Haro ads on X-games. That Jeep MTB series a few years ago had some bike ads. And the aforementioned TdF coverage had plenty of bike ads, along with VS. Cyclism Sundays.
Bike Companies seem to think targeted advertising is best apparently.
In my market, the only bike ads that aren't shown during coverage of biking events are the infomercials for those bikes with the automatic transmission.
Bike Companies seem to think targeted advertising is best apparently.
In my market, the only bike ads that aren't shown during coverage of biking events are the infomercials for those bikes with the automatic transmission.
08-19-09, 02:17 PM
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08-19-09, 02:20 PM
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Cars are big money sold to lots of people, so expensive adverts are worthwhile.
Bicycles are small money sold to few (relatively).
Bicycles are small money sold to few (relatively).
08-19-09, 03:06 PM
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That sounds like the right answer.
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08-19-09, 08:00 PM
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freewheeler is right considering the average market of a bike is only about 30% for the dealer he cannot afford to adveretise on TV like a car dealer. and bike manufacturers claim they do not make much more it is just not profitable for anyone.
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08-19-09, 09:32 PM
#10
Every lane is a bike lane
That would be the correct answer folks. That said, I've seen them during the TdF and perhaps at certain other times when certain networks thought lots of cyclists would be watching. Lately I've also seen ads for certain stores.
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08-19-09, 09:34 PM
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08-19-09, 09:35 PM
#12
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Because bikes are more addictive than cigarettes. 
08-20-09, 12:41 PM
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The LBS I use told me that they had tried local advertising and it had not paid for itself in additional sales.
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08-20-09, 01:09 PM
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Easy answer. Go price a media buy. Have to sell a poopload of bikes to cover it, trust me.
08-20-09, 01:11 PM
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The bike makers could afford it if they outsourced more of the production to Taiwan.
08-20-09, 06:26 PM
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I agree bikes are small money compared to cars but disagree on their being sold to relatively few. In most years for the last 30 or so total bike sales have been close to or exceeded car sales in the USA. Of course if you exclude the cheap big box store junkbike sales then bike sales are a lot less than car sales.
A make/model of car is big money sold to lots of people, so expensive adverts are worthwhile.
A make/model of a bicycle is small money, sold to VERY few people (RELATIVELY).
08-20-09, 07:11 PM
#18
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
How about --
Bikes that are flashy enough to look good in advertising don't sell in enough numbers to be able to afford ad time during, say, the Colts-Eagles game that's on right now.
Bikes that are flashy enough to look good in advertising don't sell in enough numbers to be able to afford ad time during, say, the Colts-Eagles game that's on right now.
08-21-09, 10:37 AM
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have you guys seen the new belgium brewing ads? THOSE did more to promote general love of bicycling than any other TV ad campaign i've seen and they weren't even selling bikes
https://www.newbelgium.com/videos/tv#87
and how about THIS bicycle warrior? Miller Beer and a great, a truly inspiring, environmental message. I love it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLl5y9RZI7c
https://www.newbelgium.com/videos/tv#87
and how about THIS bicycle warrior? Miller Beer and a great, a truly inspiring, environmental message. I love it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLl5y9RZI7c
Last edited by Bekologist; 08-21-09 at 04:49 PM.
08-22-09, 04:27 AM
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The only time we have bike commercials on TV in Melbourne (and doubtless the rest of Australia) is when the Tour de France is on.
It is odd, given that bikes outsell cars in Australia.
Possibly bikers are a more tech savvy demographic and prefer to go on-line.
I do get flyers from LBSs in the mail box from time to time.
It is odd, given that bikes outsell cars in Australia.
Possibly bikers are a more tech savvy demographic and prefer to go on-line.
I do get flyers from LBSs in the mail box from time to time.
08-23-09, 07:36 AM
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08-23-09, 10:36 AM
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No Bike Commercials
Selective audience.
Small Market
Most folks drive.
How many cycle.
Small Market
Most folks drive.
How many cycle.
