Star Trek Marketing Article on Yahoo News

[shanejayell]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090220/film_nm/us_startrek


"Worst-case scenario is, they don't market it correctly and offend the fans," says "Trek" expert Richard Arnold, a former assistant to Roddenberry who once consulted for Paramount. "And they are going to be an important part of the boxoffice because there are 25 million 'Star Trek' fans worldwide."

*random*

Wasn't Arnold the guy who was a total control freak in the novel approval dept? I'm kinda scared he's being touted as a Trek 'expert'

 

[M'Sharak]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090220/film_nm/us_startrek

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Remaking a universe is tricky. There's a risk of destroying the whole thing in the process.
On May 8, Paramount will set out for a
<snip>

shanejayell, this is an interesting article but, rather than quoting the entire text of the article here verbatim, we prefer that you quote what you feel to be pertinent passages, include the link to the article as you have above (so that those interested in doing so may go read the rest) and add some comments of your own in response to the topic.

Copy/pasting the full article could be considered to be exceeding the "fair use" provisions governing reproduction of copyrighted material, and we generally like to avoid ruffling any legal feathers of that sort.

 

[shanejayell]

Sorry, I'll edit it down

 

[Augustus]

That is a cool quote from Gene, guess his wish is coming true.

 

[ian_tee]

Somehow I think most fans (except the die hard canon fanatics) will go see the film regardless of the advertising. The concern with the film not appealing to fans would be them not going back for repeat viewings at the cinema.

And, yes, that was a nice quote from Roddenberry at the end of the article.

 

[Wowbagger]

I know this makes me a bad person, but I like Richard Arnold.

Good article, though not much in the way of new things.

 

[number6]

Is it just me?? It always annoys me when a reporter or TV personality does a report on Star Trek and tries to use Trek jargon to be hip. It never really works and sounds so very wrong.

While I am psyched to see this new film, I do like my nerdy uncle's Star Trek just fine, thank you.

Richard Arnold makes some very good points. People might hate him, but he's been tight with the Roddenberrys for over two decades and certainly knew Gene well enough to know what he'd think of this new film.

 

[M'Sharak]

Sorry, I'll edit it down

Thanks!

 

[Mordock]

There are 25 million Star Trek fans worldwide? Hmm. Where did Mr. Arnold get that number, exactly? Were we somehow electronically tagged without our knowledge?

Moreover, even if there are that many fans, I don't think it necessarily follows that they represent a meaningful consensus that demands attention; you can't get every member of this BBS to agree on what Star Trek should be like, let alone the global corpus of Trekdom.

 

[number6]

There are 25 million Star Trek fans worldwide? Hmm. Where did Mr. Arnold get that number, exactly? Were we somehow electronically tagged without our knowledge?

Moreover, even if there are that many fans, I don't think it necessarily follows that they represent a meaningful consensus that demands attention; you can't get every member of this BBS to agree on what Star Trek should be like, let alone the global corpus of Trekdom.

While I think Arnold's estimate has more to do with hyperbole than actual census data, his point is pretty clear. However I wouldn't assume that all Star Trek fans are as vocal and passionate about what we like and dislike. There are certainly some fans that don't obsess that much about minutiae, yet will crtainly see the film because they love Star Trek.

 

[Devon]

It sounds like there will be a final spot after Watchmen, should this article be accurate. But what would it air with?

 

[DaveyNY]

I just hope to Hell that there are enough of US to get another Movie after this one!

 

[Borgminister]

I just hope to Hell that there are enough of US to get another Movie after this one!

Weren't the last time, so I'd say we need help...

 

[Rii]

Nice to know there are two more trailers on the way.

Is it just me?? It always annoys me when a reporter or TV personality does a report on Star Trek and tries to use Trek jargon to be hip. It never really works and sounds so very wrong.

There were definitely several moments in that article. Not sure what the author was attempting to accomplish with those references in light of Trek XI's mission statement, as acknowledged in the article, to reach out to those who aren't conversant with the universe and its attendant minutiae.

 

[Canadave]

There are 25 million Star Trek fans worldwide? Hmm. Where did Mr. Arnold get that number, exactly? Were we somehow electronically tagged without our knowledge?

Oh my, yes. They have agents everywhere.

 

[StarMan]

Nygard says. "So this will give them an all-new topic of discussion, even if they hate it."

Indeed.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

There are 25 million Star Trek fans worldwide? Hmm. Where did Mr. Arnold get that number, exactly?

It's made up.

This article originates from The Hollywood Reporter, BTW.

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

Well, IF the 25 million figure is correct, I suppose I would be included in that number...

...However, I'm not going to be that easily offended if this film is not marketed correctly -- and I would think that fans like me make up the majorty of this alledged 25 million.

 

[Franklin]

I don't think marketing is going to drive away any fans. Those uninterested in this movie have their minds made up already. However, the marketing schemes make this old fan at least feel even older. For the first time, I realize I'm out of Trek's desired prime demographic. Why can't they do a tie-in with Flomax or something like that? McCoy could tout Lipitor.

 

[CoveTom]

I would say that there are far more than 25 million Star Trek fans worldwide and far less than 25 million hardcore fans...