Harry P.

That's as good an answer as any I've heard so far...

I came... I saw... I edited.

You were actually making some sense until you got to item #8!

A question to all of you guys that have literally hundreds (if not more) unbuilt kits in your stash: Why? You couldn't possibly build them all in your lifetime, yet you keep buying more and more. Why? Just curious as to what sort of answers I'll get...

I'll agree, you have a point there. Not my "prideful" insistence of not entering a contest. Pride has nothing to do with it. But the rest of what you said... you do make a valid point.

Just don't call me late for dinner!

I'm talking about sponsoring the whole contest. The Revell Podunk Invitational. Big Revell banner at the contest, big splashy mention on their home page, big boatload of Revell kits as prizes, drawing for a big Revell prize package for all attendees... that sort of thing. Not just being there, but making the event a "Revell" event (or whoever the sponsoring company would be). Get people to connect the sponsor to the event, so people don't think of the "Podunk Invitational" but the "Revell Podunk Invitational."

Beautiful job. Spectacular, even. But of course, I've come to expect that from you!

I think a nice way to celebrate would be if Gregg mails each forum member a check for $100...

Forget painting your chrome trim. Use foil, it's not hard, just takes a little practice. You'll never get the look of chrome with paint. Foil isn't perfect either, but it's a whole lot closer to chrome than any "chrome" paint is (except maybe Alclad).

Don't know... but I'd be curious to find out.

Huh??? Who ever said it's "all about me?" All I'm doing is commenting on Chuck's original post in Rands and Raves, where he questioned why model companies don't run ads in 1:1 car magazines. I'm coming up with ideas for the kit makers to advertise in less expensive, even FREE ways. How do you get the impression that it's "all about me?" And no, I'm not on any "weird high horse" either.

So Revell sponsors an EXISTING contest, then. No logistics, no time spent on their part, all they'd have to do is supply a big banner and a representative or two at the contest. Gee, how hard was that??? The "Revell Heartland Classic"... the "AMT Whatever"... the "Moebius Models NNL"...it's done all the time, especially in sports. Every single bowl game now has a corporate name attached to it. The model companies could do the same regarding existing model contests. In exchange for the publicity gained by being the contest "sponsor" they pony up a few kits or gift certificates to give out as prizes to the winners. The model company gets free exposure, the winners get free kits, people talk about what a cool company the sponsor is... everybody goes home happy, all at basically no cost to the company. You can't find advertising much cheaper than free! This isn't rocket science! Why are some of you so all-out determined to insist that nothing like this can be done, or nothing can ever work? You guys with your "oh it'll never work" mentality! Sheesh! Thank goodness you guys weren't around to talk Edison out of that crazy "electric light bulb" fantasy that he thought just might work!

Every so often I'll hear a new commercial that sounds an awful lot like him. Is he still doing commercial work?

Using only Revell models and/or parts. Nobody said anything about "straight out of the box." But you're missing my point. The contest itself isn't the point. The point is to get the manufacturer some cheap publicity, possibly a bump in sales, and in general give the hobby a little shot in the arm... all for a very small investment on the manufacturer's part. Bang for the buck. Look, I'm not saying a manufacturer-sponsored contest will necessarily triple model kit sales. It might not do much at all... but why not give it a try, given the fact that the initial investment would be so low? Why don't the manufacturers actually try something for a change? If it doesn't have earthshattering results, so what? What was lost? Nothing. How about a cross-promotion with an auto-related video game... a racing game or even Grand Theft Auto. Put a sticker on the video game box to announce the fact that there's a coupon inside good for $XX towards the purchase of any Revell (or whoever) model kit, or a mail in rebate, or a coupon, or whatever. Put a similar sticker/coupon/rebate form/whatever in new Revell kits promoting the video game. Sure, this sort of cross-promotion is a little more involved than a manufacturer-sponsored contest, and would cost some $ up front... but the end result might be worth the initial investment. Or run a contest via the company website. Click to enter, upload your photos, winners get all sorts of Revell (or whoever) goodies. Cost to the company? Practically zero. Benefits: as word of mouth spreads, increased traffic to their website. That alone is worth the trouble. Throw in a full page ad in SA or MCM promoting the contest and there ya go. Maybe offer the magazine some sort of "co-sponsorship" in the form of ad space and/or logo prominently displayed on their website in exchange for a reduced magazine ad rate. You know... strike a deal, come to some sort of agreement... do something! There are many other low cost, potential high return things that manufacturers could do to drive consumer interest, awareness of the brand, and possibly generate a few extra sales.

Also your phaser must be set to "stun"...

So why are Chrysler and GM still advertising?

The answer to all of that is incredibly simple. If Revell sponsors a contest, rule number one is ONLY ENTRIES USING REVELL KITS AND/OR PARTS ARE ELIGIBLE. File that under "Obviously." If GM sponsored a "Coolest Camaro" contest, would I be mad at GM because my Mustang wasn't eligible to be considered a "Cool Camaro?" Of course not. Would I be so angry at GM for not letting my Mustang be a Camaro that I would swear never to buy a GM car again? Of course not. And if anyone's feelings are hurt because they can't enter their AMT model into a Revell contest, so be it. The good will, excitement and buzz created by Revell (or whoever) would far outweigh a handful of "disgruntled" modelers. I think it's highly unlikely that anyone would be so incensed that their AMT model couldn't be entered into the Revell contest that they swear off Revell model kits for ever after.

If square tires were cheaper than round ones, they would have!!!

and with the aerodynamics of a brick, I might add...

Yes, exactly! Maximum bang for minimum buck, that's the whole point.

I'm not looking at this from the point of view of the contest entrant, but from the contest sponsor (the manufacturer).

Exactly right. And promotion in MCM (or SA) via ads in the months leading up to the deadline would be a win-win situation for both the sponsor and the magazine. Or as someone else pointed out, the magazine and the manufacturer could be co-sponsors. My initial point was, model kit manufacturers can raise their profile and breathe some life and buzz into the hobby without spending bazillions of dollars running ads in 1:1 car magazines... which they obviously don't do, due to cost.

Remember the rule: Do not post the answer or any clues here! Email me at harrypri@att.net or PM me with your answer. Year, make and model needed for a "correct" answer. If nobody is getting it, I'll post hints as the week goes by... so check back from time to time! The answer: 1956 Powell Sport Wagon

Just trying to keep things interesting...