Starbuzz Advertising

[Chreees]

Okay, so we all know how Starbuzz uses women to market their tobacco... Well, this is how it makes me feel...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6VTj7LhCtE

Jeez, Idk if I wanna smoke or fap now...

(Kudos to Tyler for inspiration on this)

Sorry, I couldn't find any of the Starbuzz posters on google image search, but we've all seen them....

[Guest Cheng]

Smoke and fap, they both work "hand in hand" lol.

I never seen the SB advertisements, I am from the UK. So please enlighten me with the posters

[dizzbizz]

Yeah I haven't seen any either.

[Chreees]

Tyler and I were talking about it on Tinychat in the AM.... Starbuzz always has these posters for advertisement where women are topless holding their breasts and whatnot... It's like, "Wtf? What the crap does a fine lady have to do with hookah? Absolutely nothing." Now, don't get me wrong, I like pretty women, it's just if any company is using women to sell their product it's Starbuzz. It's a cop-out move and there's no point to it. Usually these posters are found in lounges... The lounge next door to me (which sucks btw) has one of a woman not naked but skimpily dressed and licking her upper lip right on the front door when you enter... wtf?

EDIT: Sorry if my ramblings don't make much sense... I just woke up. Well, my cat just woke me up. Damn cat.

[Tyler]

This is something I posted elsewhere to a SB rep

[indent]Ibrahim,

First of all I think it's great you're taking the time to enter into the hookah community, especially since the popularity boom of hookah in the United States -- which can be greatly accredited to Starbuzz tobacco. As someone who has smoked literally every flavor of SB multiple times and having been the first person in a few communities to try the newer flavors such as Pomberry, Fuzzy Lemonade, Flower Power and the likes I must say that I love your product. I do have a few questions for you:

1) Have you guys (gals?) every considered not using dyes in your tobacco? I know a lot of people are very turned off by dyed tobaccos and I personally love brands such as Social Smoke, that provide the richer sweeter flavors without dying my fingers red while packing a bowl. I think using a more natural approach would be better for your customers as no one really sees the tobacco once it is packed anyways.

2) Will you ever consider switching to boxed packaging or something less costly than the metal tins? This I would assume would help prices go down, and with the taxes and increases that have happened and I'm sure more are to come, would keep Starbuzz in the under $20 range.

3) What is the point in labeling EVERYTHING as "Exotic?" I personally think only certain flavors should recieve this tag, such as Starbuzz Pineapple which is easily the best Pineapple on the market. When EVERYTHING is labeled Exotic, it kind of becomes redundant.

4) Why do you often exploit women's sexuality to market your product? I know the whole "sex sells" idea seems legit but as a company that wants to remain in amiable opinions of the hookah community it seems to be kind of shooting yourself in the foot. Being an ex-manager of a hookah cafe and currently an unofficial employee of another, I hate seeing the Starbuzz posters with topless women covering their breasts with their arms. I think that if you truly believe in your product you would not have to resort to such standards of advertising.

That's all I have for now and I hope you're not offended by my questions but I beleive they are topics that deserve some attention both as a customer of your product and as someone who sells your product in my store.

Blessings,
Tyler

[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/28bryop.jpg[/IMG][/indent]

[joytron]

I am more likely to buy a product if womens boobs are involved.

[Guest Cheng]

Boobs or ass sells, pretty face is a +

"Smoke Starbuzz and the girls will smoke your cigar" ---> good slogan?

[Travis]

[quote name='joytron' date='17 April 2010 - 07:29 PM' timestamp='1271550599' post='464098']
I am more likely to buy a product if womens boobs are involved.
[/quote]

This is Lanell, she is prostitue, very nice



In all seriousness, Yeah Chris i understand where your coming from.

Hell Tyler, the lounge right by your house was distracting me with these posters lol.

[ezxen]

[quote name='Tyler' date='17 April 2010 - 05:13 PM' timestamp='1271549623' post='464097']
This is something I posted elsewhere to a SB rep

[indent]Ibrahim,

First of all I think it's great you're taking the time to enter into the hookah community, especially since the popularity boom of hookah in the United States -- which can be greatly accredited to Starbuzz tobacco. As someone who has smoked literally every flavor of SB multiple times and having been the first person in a few communities to try the newer flavors such as Pomberry, Fuzzy Lemonade, Flower Power and the likes I must say that I love your product. I do have a few questions for you:

1) Have you guys (gals?) every considered not using dyes in your tobacco? I know a lot of people are very turned off by dyed tobaccos and I personally love brands such as Social Smoke, that provide the richer sweeter flavors without dying my fingers red while packing a bowl. I think using a more natural approach would be better for your customers as no one really sees the tobacco once it is packed anyways.

2) Will you ever consider switching to boxed packaging or something less costly than the metal tins? This I would assume would help prices go down, and with the taxes and increases that have happened and I'm sure more are to come, would keep Starbuzz in the under $20 range.

3) What is the point in labeling EVERYTHING as "Exotic?" I personally think only certain flavors should recieve this tag, such as Starbuzz Pineapple which is easily the best Pineapple on the market. When EVERYTHING is labeled Exotic, it kind of becomes redundant.

4) Why do you often exploit women's sexuality to market your product? I know the whole "sex sells" idea seems legit but as a company that wants to remain in amiable opinions of the hookah community it seems to be kind of shooting yourself in the foot. Being an ex-manager of a hookah cafe and currently an unofficial employee of another, I hate seeing the Starbuzz posters with topless women covering their breasts with their arms. I think that if you truly believe in your product you would not have to resort to such standards of advertising.

That's all I have for now and I hope you're not offended by my questions but I beleive they are topics that deserve some attention both as a customer of your product and as someone who sells your product in my store.

Blessings,
Tyler

[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/28bryop.jpg[/IMG][/indent]
[/quote]
did you ever get a reply back?

[joytron]

I would be more concerned about the huge men in loincloths advertising for stabuzz.

[Arcane]

hmmm.......boobs.

[Tyler]

Havn't gotten a response yet, I imagine it'll evade the questions if there are answers at all.

[bellydancerakn]

[quote name='joytron' date='17 April 2010 - 05:49 PM' timestamp='1271551759' post='464104']
I would be more concerned about the huge men in loincloths advertising for stabuzz.
[/quote]



Mmmmmmm nice built guys with 6pack abs and a nice ass. Yeah I might wanna try that shisha. Just no loinclothes, maybe tight jeans? Or boxer briefs... or nothing...

[Chreees]

[quote name='Tyler' date='17 April 2010 - 10:14 PM' timestamp='1271560458' post='464116']
Havn't gotten a response yet, I imagine it'll evade the questions if there are answers at all.
[/quote]

Yep.

[ih303]

It doesn't surprise me. I've never seen any of these adverstisements, but if any company in this industry were to do it, it would be them.

IMO, there's a passion vs profit continuum that every business falls somewhere on. Companies who focus on profit (SB) use every tactic and gimmick available to cut costs and raise prices, thereby increasing their profit margin. Companies who focus on passion (Tangiers) don't need all that. They have a higher purpose.

I think the problem with profit driven companies is they tend to let their quality slide while gouging customers. This is the main reason I'm not a huge fan of SB. I always tell people in my lounge that SB is the lowest-quality but highest-priced tobacco we sell. When they ask why, I tell them marketing. Maybe if they stopped making posters of naked womens, they could drop their prices a few bucks, which, IMO, would sell more shisha anyway. It's the price point of SB that turns people away at my lounge.

As much as I don't necessarily care for them, I do respect them. They've done their research and have found exactly what Americans crave - brightly colored, high-priced, arificial-flavored, super-sweet, "Exotic", flavors & mixes with cheesy names. SB-critics shouldn't have beef with SB, but with the consumers who drive their product.

Just my $0.02.

[F16WarBird]

[quote name='ih303' date='19 April 2010 - 05:43 PM' timestamp='1271688210' post='464264']
As much as I don't necessarily care for them, I do respect them. They've done their research and have found exactly what Americans crave - brightly colored, high-priced, arificial-flavored, super-sweet, "Exotic", flavors & mixes with cheesy names. SB-critics shouldn't have beef with SB, but with the consumers who drive their product.
[/quote]

Wow. Passive-aggressive much?

[Arcane]

[quote name='F16WarBird' date='19 April 2010 - 05:05 AM' timestamp='1271689552' post='464266']
[quote name='ih303' date='19 April 2010 - 05:43 PM' timestamp='1271688210' post='464264']
As much as I don't necessarily care for them, I do respect them. They've done their research and have found exactly what Americans crave - brightly colored, high-priced, arificial-flavored, super-sweet, "Exotic", flavors & mixes with cheesy names. SB-critics shouldn't have beef with SB, but with the consumers who drive their product.
[/quote]

Wow. Passive-aggressive much?
[/quote]
damn...i thought i was american too, but nobody ever told me i was supposed to like that stuff!!

[joytron]

[quote name='Arcane' date='19 April 2010 - 08:58 AM' timestamp='1271692704' post='464273']
[quote name='F16WarBird' date='19 April 2010 - 05:05 AM' timestamp='1271689552' post='464266']
[quote name='ih303' date='19 April 2010 - 05:43 PM' timestamp='1271688210' post='464264']
As much as I don't necessarily care for them, I do respect them. They've done their research and have found exactly what Americans crave - brightly colored, high-priced, arificial-flavored, super-sweet, "Exotic", flavors & mixes with cheesy names. SB-critics shouldn't have beef with SB, but with the consumers who drive their product.
[/quote]

Wow. Passive-aggressive much?
[/quote]
damn...i thought i was american too, but nobody ever told me i was supposed to like that stuff!!
[/quote]

Its got electrolytes.... Its what Americans crave

[Venger]

[quote name='joytron' date='19 April 2010 - 01:49 PM' timestamp='1271699386' post='464285']
[quote name='Arcane' date='19 April 2010 - 08:58 AM' timestamp='1271692704' post='464273']
[quote name='F16WarBird' date='19 April 2010 - 05:05 AM' timestamp='1271689552' post='464266']
[quote name='ih303' date='19 April 2010 - 05:43 PM' timestamp='1271688210' post='464264']
As much as I don't necessarily care for them, I do respect them. They've done their research and have found exactly what Americans crave - brightly colored, high-priced, arificial-flavored, super-sweet, "Exotic", flavors & mixes with cheesy names. SB-critics shouldn't have beef with SB, but with the consumers who drive their product.
[/quote]

Wow. Passive-aggressive much?
[/quote]
damn...i thought i was american too, but nobody ever told me i was supposed to like that stuff!!
[/quote]

Its got electrolytes.... Its what Americans crave
[/quote]
lol. love that movie. gimme some bigass fries.
Ray

[Click]

[quote name='joytron' date='17 April 2010 - 04:29 PM' timestamp='1271550599' post='464098']
I am more likely to buy a product if womens boobs are involved.
[/quote]

definitely a good motto.

[F16WarBird]

[quote name='Click' date='20 April 2010 - 03:11 AM' timestamp='1271722265' post='464345']
[quote name='joytron' date='17 April 2010 - 04:29 PM' timestamp='1271550599' post='464098']
I am more likely to buy a product if womens boobs are involved.
[/quote]

definitely a good motto.
[/quote]


"Starbuzz: It's like smoking a bowl full of boobs." [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/girl_blum2.gif[/img]

[thatonethere]

[quote name='Venger' date='19 April 2010 - 12:32 PM' timestamp='1271701961' post='464290']
[quote name='joytron' date='19 April 2010 - 01:49 PM' timestamp='1271699386' post='464285']
[quote name='Arcane' date='19 April 2010 - 08:58 AM' timestamp='1271692704' post='464273']
[quote name='F16WarBird' date='19 April 2010 - 05:05 AM' timestamp='1271689552' post='464266']
[quote name='ih303' date='19 April 2010 - 05:43 PM' timestamp='1271688210' post='464264']
As much as I don't necessarily care for them, I do respect them. They've done their research and have found exactly what Americans crave - brightly colored, high-priced, arificial-flavored, super-sweet, "Exotic", flavors & mixes with cheesy names. SB-critics shouldn't have beef with SB, but with the consumers who drive their product.
[/quote]

Wow. Passive-aggressive much?
[/quote]
damn...i thought i was american too, but nobody ever told me i was supposed to like that stuff!!
[/quote]

[b]Its got electrolytes.... Its what Americans crave[/b]
[/quote]
[b]lol. love that movie. gimme some bigass fries.[/b]
Ray
[/quote]

or chicken with "full release". LMAO


Seriously, going down the whole "sex sells"route seems to say the marketing team has no creativity when it comes to advertising. To be honest, I would be less inclined to purchase something with a sexy dude on the cover and a bright shiny package. That sexy person says absoultly nothing about the product, the packaging tells me that what's inside it doesn't really matter and that product has nothing real to offer for the consumer.

I still want to see what the buzz is regarding this shisha and whether it's decent or not.

[ih303]

This is exactly what I'm saying. Love 'em or hate 'em, they're doing something right. We criticize them for putting chi-chi's on their ads, being non-original and shallow. I'm sure they're crying about it all the way to the bank. You hit the nail on the head with the Idiocracy quotes. America IS Idiocracy. Think about it. The median income for a surgeon in the US is ~$300k. The median income for a pro basketball player? ~$5m. Now in terms of shisha - 250g of NK costs ~$10 while 250g of Ed Hardy (SB in a flashy, name brand tin) costs ~$40. Hmm... Remind me again what sells stuff to us Americans? Quality, right? Sure...

Idiocracy IS our future, and SB WILL have electrolytes!

[Santino]

[quote name='F16WarBird' date='19 April 2010 - 10:30 PM' timestamp='1271737820' post='464365']


"Starbuzz: It's like smoking a bowl full of boobs." [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/girl_blum2.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Mmmm flavorless boobs.

[F16WarBird]

[quote name='Santino' date='20 April 2010 - 05:53 PM' timestamp='1271775182' post='464393']
[quote name='F16WarBird' date='19 April 2010 - 10:30 PM' timestamp='1271737820' post='464365']
"Starbuzz: It's like smoking a bowl full of boobs." [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/girl_blum2.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Mmmm flavorless boobs.
[/quote]


How about "Starboobs". The name alone would illicit some interesting search engine results. [img]http://www.hookahforum.com/public/style_emoticons/default/nana.gif[/img]