More RU23 news - Updated 3-6-09 - I think the Podcast Crew knows

[FireDancer]

I agree that whatever the promotion ends up being it should be affordable to the majority of the affinity group they are targeting. I wouldn't mind a tiered product (Regular membership, Bronze, Silver, Gold).

I'm not getting too exited until I get the details.

 

[aspry]

I can't imagine they would be advertising a "big spenders club" to the masses leaving a majority of them feeling left out. I'm thinking it will be an official fan club & community.

 

[BellaOfTheWorld]

Yeah, I think by "affinity group," they mean a "club" of dedicated, loyal customers. That doesn't necessarily mean they will spend the most money, it means continued loyalty - which means guaranteed customers. Annual passholders are a great example. Disney is probably going to make belonging to this club look like a cool thing - something to belong to. It encourages a feeling of indebtedness that will keep that person coming back because they like that feeling of "belonging".

Sure, it's going to cost a little something to belong, but once they got ya, you're hooked.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Did anyone who commented today read the update? Seems like it's a convention in California and a magazine.

 

[jewjubean]

Sounds like a way for Disney to make us part with more of our money.

What they need to do is adopt more family friendly pricing at the parks. Also need to adopt more employee friendly practices... like not getting rid of castmembers who have been there a long time and replacing them with college grads.

So at one time those "employees who have been there longer" were college grads.and although Disney is a theme park it is also a corporation. Why would you keep someone who has been there for 20 years making money when you could hire someone to do the same job for less money.

 

[BellaOfTheWorld]

I would assume a convention and magazine are just part of it. I'd hope that an official online community would be part of it as well and many other components. I also wonder if a convention is part of the plan, if that is a reason why mousefest was cancelled (x-files music in the background...)?

 

[MrandMissVacation]

This reminds me of the "celebrations" that Star wars fans do every couple of years.
DH is a member of the 501st (offical costuming group). They do many local volunteer/fundraising things for charity. Never to make money. Then every couple of years George Lucas 'allows' a big convention run by a convention company. They get 'stars'(actors) and and have events and giveaways. And yes.. they all dress up. These are HUGE events that I believe make quiet a bit of money.

Just my 2cents

 

[cathie1327]

Yeah, I think by "affinity group," they mean a "club" of dedicated, loyal customers. That doesn't necessarily mean they will spend the most money, it means continued loyalty - which means guaranteed customers. Annual passholders are a great example. Disney is probably going to make belonging to this club look like a cool thing - something to belong to. It encourages a feeling of indebtedness that will keep that person coming back because they like that feeling of "belonging".

Sure, it's going to cost a little something to belong, but once they got ya, you're hooked.

I'm willing to pay for it, as long as they make it available to people within a wide range of budgets. I liked the idea someone else mentioned about having different levels of membership.

I also agree that annual passholders would be among the first to come to mind when you think about the loyal customers. I'm thinking that to make it "look cool" to join or give incentive that they may offer some sort of discounts on trips, merchandise in the beginnning-something to draw people in. Maybe. (one can hope, right? )

 

[NWOhioAngela]

Why would you keep someone who has been there for 20 years making money when you could hire someone to do the same job for less money.

How about because its the right thing to do.
Cheaper doesn't = better as we have seen sooo many times with Disney.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I think the Podcast crew knows abou...ow where Amelia Earhart is as well.:rolleyes1

 

[MrandMissVacation]

We know where Amelia Earhart is as well.

That's practically an admission ;-)

 

[DisneyKevin]

That's practically an admission ;-)

Of what? Knowing where Amelia Earhart is?

Do you really think that if I had a Disney secret I wouldn't be here sharing it?

 

[jewjubean]

How about because its the right thing to do.
Cheaper doesn't = better as we have seen sooo many times with Disney.

Welcome to corporate America.

 

[scrappinmom]

I'm still intrigued and hopeful. While a convention like gathering would be nice....I'd rather see it be more wide appealing...not just DL.

Maybe I'm too much of a newbie...but I don't think the podcast team has any more info than we do. I'm not even sure I believe the info that has been leaked.

 

[757hokie]

We know where Amelia Earhart is as well.

I bet you know the Colonel's secret blend of 11 herbs & spices too, don't you Kevin?

 

[krissy2803]

I bet you know the Colonel's secret blend of 11 herbs & spices too, don't you Kevin?

That's funny!
On a side note..I have worked for KFC for 20 years now and I still don't know that secret.

 

[MrandMissVacation]

Of what? Knowing where Amelia Earhart is?

Do you really think that if I had a Disney secret I wouldn't be here sharing it?

I was kidding. Sorry if it was taken the wrong way.

 

[cathie1327]

That's funny!
On a side note..I have worked for KFC for 20 years now and I still don't know that secret.

You know.....I never thought their fried chicken was THAT much better than anyone else's to keep it such a big secret

Though I always wondered how they could. Don't things for public consumption require an ingredient list???? For allergy purposes?

 

[Cyrano]

Of what? Knowing where Amelia Earhart is?

Do you really think that if I had a Disney secret I wouldn't be here sharing it?

 

[wdwowner]

Bump