Are sailboats the new 'in' thing?

[bgeddes]

There have been multiple recent advertisements starring sailboats. I've seen one for Genworth Financial, Viagra, and the Outback. Does this mean something about the future of sailing? Are we going to see an influx of people looking to go sailing? Will they have the resources to buy fancy new boats then put them on the market cheap once they found out how much work and money is involved?

[MobiusALilBitTwisted]

no they will all be donated to Huck...................

[jameswilson29]

Originally Posted by bgeddes

Are we going to see an influx of people looking to go sailing?

No, but more people will have bad investments, woodies, and steak dinners.

[lajimo]

I think many boomers are interested in getting reacquainted with sailing after many years onshore raising kids, jobs, etc. so there may be a bit of an uptick when we come out of this bad economy.

[TropicCat]

New toys for the 1% ers

[DRFerron]

Originally Posted by bgeddes

There have been multiple recent advertisements starring sailboats. I've seen one for Genworth Financial, Viagra, and the Outback. Does this mean something about the future of sailing? Are we going to see an influx of people looking to go sailing?

I think sailing is still seen as romantic and for people of means. That's probably why they used the image.

Originally Posted by bgeddes

Will they have the resources to buy fancy new boats then put them on the market cheap once they found out how much work and money is involved?

I suppose I care less about how people with enough resources to buy a fancy boat want to waste their money (the people Bill refers to) than I do about the person who buys any size boat and goes out on the water without benefit of a friend or instructor to give them at least the basics so that they don't harm themselves or others.

[bljones]

Personally I don't really understand the use of a sailboat in the Outback Steakhouse ad.
1.How the hell does showing 30 seconds of people enjoying a steak dinner on a sailboat translate into "Hey honey, let's go to a restaurant!"?
2. Sailboat doesn't scream "Outback" to me- A three-trailer road train full of woolies does.


And the viagra ad really needs a classic wooden boat for full ironic effect.
"How's she sail?"
"Stiff."

"Initially a little tender, then hardens right up."

[emoney]

Truth is, B, it's more than likely the "Blue Car Syndrome". What I mean by that is you never
see any Blue Ford Tauruses, for example, until you purchase one. From that point forward,
it seems like every Ford Taurus you see is blue.

Couple that with the fact that most Fortune 500 Companies that do target marketing are
focusing on the cusp of the Baby Boomer Generation as that group reaches retirement.
Marketing experts will tell you that by incorporating "like interests" you draw the viewer to
your advertisement without them even realizing it. In other words, had it not been for the
sailboat you may not have even thought about Outback Steahouse.....now you have.
Very effective, obviously.

[Frantum]

I agree, I get the Genworth and can make the stretch for the Viagra, but Outback??

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by bljones

Personally I don't really understand the use of a sailboat in the Outback Steakhouse ad.
1.How the hell does showing 30 seconds of people enjoying a steak dinner on a sailboat translate into "Hey honey, let's go to a restaurant!"?
2. Sailboat doesn't scream "Outback" to me- A three-trailer road train full of woolies does.


And the viagra ad really needs a classic wooden boat for full ironic effect.
"How's she sail?"
"Stiff."

"Initially a little tender, then hardens right up."

The metaphor for the Viagra ad is even more delicious than a good steak. Watch the video and you'll see that the jib is backwinded and the boat is being towed.

Oh - and yes, there is a resurgence of interest in sailing in younger markets.