You Meet the Nicest People.............

At the Shooting Range!

At least, that should be the case, but all too often, isn't.

In a very brief, but insightful post, Shelley Rae of GunNuts.net, writes of dealing with rude jerks, know it alls and other assorted bad representatives of the shooting sports.

"As gun owners, as shooters, as people who have even a passing interest in firearms or shooting sports we represent a community. As part of this community we are accountable for conducting ourselves in way that represents our hobby well and is welcoming for potential new shooters. It’s not difficult to conduct business in a friendly and un-intimidating manner.

I honestly get confused by gun owners who are gruff and flat-out rude. Conducting oneself in a way that has the possibility to negatively impact an entire community is irresponsible and frankly not likely to accomplish anything."

She's correctly identified the problem, but I'm guessing she's a wee bit young to flashback to what might just be the path to a very appropriate solution.

much more follows in the extended entry........

Thanks to Honda of America, I'm glad to present one particular, proven and constructive path to a wider acceptance of the shooting sports as a whole.  Here, from Honda's "History Challenge", this recounting of one of the most wildly successful advertising themes, ever.

By December 1962 American Honda was selling more than 40,000 motorcycles annually, while the number of dealers-at nearly 750-exceeded that of any competitor. For the following year Kawashima set a sales goal of 200,000 units, meaning a figure five times that of the previous year's record. It was an astonishing target to the staff at American Honda. Kawashima knew it was not impossible at all, as long as the public reputation of people who rode motorcycles was elevated and the product name became better known. Accordingly, he was willing to invest a fortune on it. In fact, Kawashima was ready to lay down the largest sum his company had ever used to promote Honda motorcycles.

So, when Grey Advertising, a major U.S. agency, proposed a campaign with the slogan, "You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda," Kawashima knew right away that it would work. This was to be a major campaign targeting the eleven western states..............

..........and.......

.........But in April 1964 the TV commercial that aired across the country caused an even bigger sensation. The response was simply overwhelming, and people everywhere were clamoring to start their own Honda dealerships. Moreover, large corporations across the U.S. began to inundate American Honda with inquiries concerning tie-ups, including such requests as, "We would love to use the Honda 50 as a product in our sales-promotion campaign."

The Honda 50 had truly succeeded in its appeal to the American public. More than simply another motorcycle, it was seen as a casual vehicle for daily activities, and as such was an entirely new consumer value. It erased the motorcycle's deeply rooted image of evil and discontent. Simply stated, the 50 was a gigantic hit.

"I really think business is a battle that must be fought with a comprehensive array of forces," said Kawashima philosophically. "First, you need to have great products. Then, you need an organization that is appropriate for the product, and people who can make the organization work. In that respect, I was blessed with great products and a wonderful staff. But also, I think the driving force was Honda's decision to build its own sales network. Our direct involvement with the retailers led to the success of our American sales network and sales campaign."

 

These are just a few paragraphs from that history. The wise student will scroll back to page one, and read it all. Hopefully, said wise student(s) are employed in the marketing departments of each and every firearm and accessory manufacturer, the NRA and every other pro 2A advocacy group in the nation.

Some of the print ads are here for your perusal. There's more, just fire up your Bing-Fu (google? never heard of 'em.), and find even more vintage ads for your enlightenment and inspiration.

 

 

 

Now, I'm certainly not suggesting that a single firearms company try to sponsor an Academy Awards broadcast.  First, it's certain that the Hollyweird GFWs would manifest terminal PSH at the mere thought of such, and double certain that they wouldn't take our ads at any price, or, they'd instruct their M.C. and various presenters to disrespect, put-down and otherwise abuse any pro-gun ads throughout the event.

 

 

 

But, wiser minds than mine could certainly find, identify and cultivate equivalent or superior events, garnering fair(er), if not favorable treatment and still make every bit as large a splash as any Academy Awards venue, minus the biting, bitter invective of the minor, puny people masquerading as Important Personages at such a locus of liberal looserism.

Still, it'd be great fun to run this ad in an Academy Awards presentation.  Just the still image alone would likely cause ten percent of the assembled (in)dignitaries to expire from sheer proximity fright.

 

 

 

Wouldn't even need to actually use the Weatherby rifle to make liberal heads explode! 

(yes Virginia, Honda really did once feature a Weatherby rifle in one of their ads.  Those were the days, my friend!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Paul]

Totally off-topic here, Cap'n, but just wanted to check in. Left ya emails at a couple different addresses in response to your question abut he'pin out wit da blog (big hell yea there) but wasn't sure ya got 'em, so trying here as well.

Paul
Light & Dark