Later this month, Vans Inc. is planning to open a private skateboard park inside a Brooklyn warehouse. They opened it in hopes to “beef up Vans’s presence in New York and the East Coast.” It will only be open to skateboarders endorsed by Vans, but there will be some opportunites in which outsiders can get inside the park and use it as well. It opens on October 16th, where people will get to see a brand new skateboarding course, and a set of stairs and handrailings for skaters to slide down. They are creating this with a desire to expand to the eastern part of the U.S.
I do think what they are doing is a great idea, for it will be a good strategy to attract customers to their brand. Although it does require a lot of money to build this warehouse, it will hopefully all be worth it in the end. This is a fantastic way for Vans to spread out in different parts of the country and will make it easier for them to make their brand known. Some may argue that this investment might be a little too pricey to make known their company, but people cannot judge too quickly. All companies do start slow in the beginning, but can quickly speed up their income by attracting more and more people. They also stated that this warehouse will also be hosting events for artists and magazines. Thus, it will be easier for Vans to persuade people to buy their brand. Because of the bandwagon theory that says that people follow popularity, it will apply in this case as well. Once artists use Vans, people will get the idea that they need them as well, and will start buying for themselves. It is also a creative way of advertising. Instead of just doing commercials or using billboards to spread their company throughout the US, they decide to create something entertaining and fun that relates to their brand. Skateboarding is a big trademark of theirs, and so the idea here is that those people endorsed by Vans can skateboard with their shoes. I find it extremely brilliant because not only are they attracting people with their brand, but doing it in a way in which they can be a part of a "skateboard community." I do find success in their business, and believe it will benefit them in a very short period of time. What do you guys think? Do you agree with me that this creation of a skateboard park will work to their advantage? Or do you think that it is a waste of time and money?
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Posted by Tania Dabdoub
I think, in some ways, building a skate park in Brooklyn is a good move for Vans Inc. Vans is like a regional company; I think its shoes are more popular on the West coast. Building a skate park on the east coast will definitely help to bring Vans and skateboarding culture to the other side of the country. I also think, however, that Vans should open this skate park to the public. That way more people will have a chance to skate because big cities with all their traffic are not ideal skate locations. The park can serve as a place for east coast skate boarders to come together and skate more easily and more safely. What would be even better is if Vans opened a store in the skate park, so skaters can skate and shop for shoes and apparel at the same location.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome, and I only see how it can truly benefit Vans Inc. It's one huge investment that they are sure to prosper from. If their boarders who they're endorsing are the ones practicing at the park then they are sure to get even better. As the boarders get better, their name becomes more popular along with the fact that Vans is backing them. They ride a Vans board, use Vans shoes, and sport a Vans t-shirt, go Vans! To best benefit Vans of course, a store with their apparel should be made easily accesible for the skaters or fans of the brand.
ReplyDelete--Leah Stoltz
great post Tania, I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDelete