Letter Campaign

[Buslady]

So...anybody considering a letter campaign to 4Kids about how bad Fast Forward is?
Sure it might no do anything, but you never know.

[Aztec General]

Sadly I think they'll respond with: "Yeah they're right let's pull TMNT off the air entirely!"

[Jo Dawn]

I think it's good to let them know what fans think.

We're in a situation here that's either 'No TMNT' or 'constant Fast Forward'. If the show bombs, TMNT is done. If it does well (which I doubt) we get more FF. The 2K3 show is kaput. We're never getting it back.

That being said, I think it's important for companies to get feedback from it's fans, as that is how they know what to plan and whatnot. Personally, I think they need to know.

Also, that being said...! When you write to them, I'd make sure to say thing in a polite manner. Use examples. Try and be almost professional and NOT just 'u sux' or something. They aremore apt to listen to a well thought out, nicely written (don't be rude and such) letter. They'll know it was the product of much thinking and appreciate the feedback.

[GK Punk]

Let's just keep in mind though, 4K was losing money and doing not so hot in the ratings with TMNT. This was their last chance at it. If there is no FF, there is no TMNT toons at all. Give it a shot if you'd like though.

[Leonardo_Warrior_Turtle]

A letter campaign didn't work to try and save Angel from cancellation. Hell, not even a freaking big rally in front of the WB's offices helped. So I really think 4kids is not going to care about what a bunch of older fans think. I wish we could change their minds and go back to the 2k3 format, but it's not going to happen. The Lost Season is our last bit of 2k3 Turtle goodness we'll get.

[iris]

Originally Posted by Michi heavenly6

Let's just keep in mind though, 4K was losing money and doing not so hot in the ratings with TMNT. This was their last chance at it. If there is no FF, there is no TMNT toons at all. Give it a shot if you'd like though.

I agree with this. If you're going to do a letter-writing campaign, you won't get anything if you just trash Fast Forward. Well, you might help get TMNT cancelled.

You need to promote a financially viable alternative. Give them something actionable. Make a specific request, and tell them how it will work.

What's your angle?

[Katie]

this may be where we wanna point out the possibilities of targeting Both the younger and older demographics by releasing something in the 2k3 format straight to DVD. (hey! getting money from both ends of the spectrum SHOULD get their attention)

I should flex that marketing MBA muscle and do some research and put a proposal together for us to look at and see what you guys think....

[iris]

Wow, Katie. Ambitious. And I think that would be awesome. It would show we mean business... literally.

[Katie]

I really am going to put a proposal together....it can't hurt to knock the rust off my brain and put something new in my portfolio....and who knows....maybe I get a job offer!

anyway...I'm going to have to do a demographics study and I'll need help from you guys for that a little later on....and I'll also need something along the lines of what older audiences/fans would like from the franchise (as far as shows, merchandise, etc.) I need realistic suggestions. Help me out on this and it might be worth our time and effort

[AquaParade]

This really does sound great. Worst that could happen is nothing. Might as well give it a shot.

[Draconic]

Originally Posted by Katie

I'll also need something along the lines of what older audiences/fans would like from the franchise (as far as shows, merchandise, etc.)

I want bronze statuettes of the team to display in my home, modeled after the comic turtles.

I want shows on the gritty streets of NY, and to see '80's style punks causing a rucus!

I want... longer stories.. and maybe some episodes that center on character development, and maybe not so much action.

I want the action to be intense and violent!

[Katie]

Great! that's the kind of stuff I need to know!!!

Here's what I have been playing with on my breaks today:

Demographic Study of TMNT Fans and Product Suggestions for Maximization of Franchise Profit

A Proposal by {insert my full name here}

Overview

For 22 years the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) have existed in one incarnation or another. The diversity of mediums and products offered through the years has piqued the interest of more than one demographic group of fans. Recent changes in the marketing strategy of the franchise have alienated several groups in the fandom and created opportunities for growth in these segments. By developing products that target the older demographic of the TMNT franchise, it will be possible to maximize profit and assure the future success of the TMNT.



Comments? Suggestions on direction?

[AquaParade]

For one thing, We need some better villians. I dont know about you guys, but most of the villians in the tmnt universe just dont seem to be up to par with the wonderful creation that is the tmnt. Peter Laird used to draw pin-ups which had Donatello and other turtles battling mythical creatures, and some fights like that would be pretty interesting to see...i dont know...just brainstorming....Definitley some more emphasis on the ninjitsu part...maybe a little more sticking to the shadows as their name implies. I'd like to see a lot of character development throught a new tmnt series...really show how each turtle interacts with one another, so you really know how each and every turtle feels about one another. Maybe show us a little bit of the aftermath, after the turtles get done slicing and dicing in a room full of foot soldiers for 3 minutes....in other words, maybe some blood and violence...just enough for us to know it exists in the world of tmnt....hmm ill brainstorm later...hope i was at least a little helpful. Dont really know what your looking for exactly.

EDIT: And more of the rat king as he was created and portrayed in "i, monster"

[oldtoonTMNTfan]

Originally Posted by Katie

Great! that's the kind of stuff I need to know!!!

Here's what I have been playing with on my breaks today:

Demographic Study of TMNT Fans and Product Suggestions for Maximization of Franchise Profit

A Proposal by {insert my full name here}

Overview

For 22 years the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) have existed in one incarnation or another. The diversity of mediums and products offered through the years has piqued the interest of more than one demographic group of fans. Recent changes in the marketing strategy of the franchise have alienated several groups in the fandom and created opportunities for growth in these segments. By developing products that target the older demographic of the TMNT franchise, it will be possible to maximize profit and assure the future success of the TMNT.



Comments? Suggestions on direction?

Sounds like a great idea on paper, but how can TMNT be marketed to the mature fans? The majority of the fans are teenager that buys the toys, shirt, etc. I haven't seen any older demographic that wears shirts and a few of them buys the toys.

[Katie]

The current target audience for the show seems to be males aged 5-10. (I say seems because I do not have access to the actual marketing plan, I'm just going by advertisers during the show)

When I say older demographics I mean people who are in their teens to mid-thirties. I think much older than that and you start dropping off significantly (Simply because most people became interested in the franchise through the Old Show and there is a limit to the age range of people who would have watched that show in it's day for target marketing reasons)

@ Underoath & everyone else...I am looking for comonalities in things people would want from a more mature TMNT line

[AquaParade]

How about characters who aren't cardboard cut outs of certain stereotypical personalities? O, and keep or even strengthen the synchronized episode method they really started to enforce in 2k3.

Edit: O, and like I mentioned in my earlier off topic'ish first post, they really need to show us some real ninjitsu stuff. It seems like every tmnt incarnation starts out with all the stealth aspects and they slowly start to fade away as the franchises run on....IMHO

[Spitfire]

Dear 4Kids TV,

Stop being assholes, your program sucks and makes TV all the more unbearable to watch. The only ray of sunshine in your craphole of programming was TMNT. And you have now just buried it in this craphole. Why you have done this is beyond me. The show didn't have good enough ratings, poor merch sales? Whatever your excuse is it was not nessciary. You turned the show inside out and now it just looks like every other generic peice of garbage you show.

Good job now TMNT is on par with Winx Club and GI Joe. Thanks a lot.

[iris]

Originally Posted by Katie

Great! that's the kind of stuff I need to know!!!

Here's what I have been playing with on my breaks today:

Demographic Study of TMNT Fans and Product Suggestions for Maximization of Franchise Profit

A Proposal by {insert my full name here}

Overview

For 22 years the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) have existed in one incarnation or another. The diversity of mediums and products offered through the years has piqued the interest of more than one demographic group of fans. Recent changes in the marketing strategy of the franchise have alienated several groups in the fandom and created opportunities for growth in these segments. By developing products that target the older demographic of the TMNT franchise, it will be possible to maximize profit and assure the future success of the TMNT.


Comments? Suggestions on direction?

Looking good, Katie!

It's good to emphasize that TMNT was an absolute phenomenon among kids in the late 80s, and those people still like TMNT, but there's nothing for them because it's all aimed at the kids... the young kids, at that. In other words, the gap in the market is really big.

It would be good to have some examples of similar product targeted at an older age group. Batman is the obvious comparison, I think.

I would also like to see them being more "ninja"... stealth can be scary. And I tend to agree with Draconic in that I like the more in-depth, 3-dimensional stories, where the violence isn't portrayed as a ho-hum daily thing but shows up in intense bursts. Hard to do that in half an hour, unless you have multi-parters. Basically, we had something close to that with the 2K3 series.

Originally Posted by oldtoonTMNTfan

Sounds like a great idea on paper, but how can TMNT be marketed to the mature fans? The majority of the fans are teenager that buys the toys, shirt, etc. I haven't seen any older demographic that wears shirts and a few of them buys the toys.

Dude, I would so wear TMNT shirts if there were any appropriate for me.

[Jo Dawn]

Originally Posted by oldtoonTMNTfan

Sounds like a great idea on paper, but how can TMNT be marketed to the mature fans? The majority of the fans are teenager that buys the toys, shirt, etc. I haven't seen any older demographic that wears shirts and a few of them buys the toys.

I have to politely disagree with alot of what you said.

When I was in college I saw tons of TMNT shirts and stuff. All older than 'teens'. When the 2K3 series first came out, I would wear a shirt out and get stopped by ALL ADULTS. They'd start up convos about the new toon. As for the toys, well... I saw TWO kids ever buy the toys. The rest were all older folks. But then again, that might be my area of the world. But whatever. It's what I saw.

I'd say if TMNT were marketed towards older, more mature fans it would do tons better as:

1) They have more money to buy the toys (and no, I don't count children throwing hissy fits for mommy and daddy to buy the toys)

2) Most likely, if they're interested, they were longtime fans of the old toon or, even better, the comics. As they have grown their tastes and humor have matured considerably. They require a 'thinking' more mature show. And something they enjoyed as a child, the TMNT, would do well to fulfill that. If done RIGHT.

[MasterMole]

Joe Dawn: You are right, it would do better, especially if it was on Toonami or other Primetime slot. Mirage and Laird must dump both 4Kids and Playmates, unless they seriously and quickly shape up. Regarding the T-shirts, I never saw the 2k3 series
T-shirts in Adult sizes. I still want one bad, but all they sell or did sell are child sizes.