http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204488304574429070364650290.html?mod=yhoofront
What exactly makes this bed "for men"? According to the article: "The bed frames feature built-in TVs, iPod docking stations, wine coolers, safes and other guy-friendly gadgetry." ...Because for it to be woman-friendly, it would have to be pink and not as functional as the men's version, right?
Another gem, regarding one of the bed's built-in safes: '"A lot of our male customers want to keep a gun close to them at night, so now they have the option to have a safe in the bed," says Maya Ben, Hollandia International's vice president of operations. "It gives them peace of mind."'
A charming testimonial: "Mr. Shapiro admits his wife was less than enthusiastic when he picked the bed out six months ago. He delighted in showing her that the TV could be lowered into the footboard via remote, and he let her pick out the color and pattern of the mattress fabric. His wife declined to comment." You must mean his wife was too speechless with excitement to comment -- women just love pretty fabrics!
If we're honest, it's not the mere existence of these beds that makes me cringe, it's the marketing. The beds themselves look super comfy and fun to hang out in -- for everyone regardless of gender. The whole "Man-Cave, For Macho Manly Men Only!" angle is just so unnecessary.
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This is why I despise marketing and advertising. Someone's data somewhere must have told them that taking an angle like this meant guaranteed sales.
I have a bachelor's degree in Marketing. I began to despise marketing after I came across the DeBeers case study, where they established the "two month's salary" benchmark men should consider for their purchase of an engagement ring. Because of the economic expansion in Japan in the 1980s, the campaign was "three month's salary." My wife's first fiance gave her a ring which cost him "three month's salary."
While there is a need for consumer awareness, I believe good products (like Chips Ahoy Chunky - mmmm, and I've never ever seen an ad for it) should be able to sell themselves. Overhyped products or misleading advertising pisses me off. Don't even get me started on automobile dealers or insurance salespeople.
(bleck) I hate this 'man-cave' 'man-space' type of shit! I bet the woman didnt comment because she was pissed and thought it stupid. Probably not being consulted on the purchase also probably made her upset I mean its their SHARED bed and maybe he didnt consider her wants and needs.
It's sad that they felt the need to rely on such sensationalist tactics to sell a bed because, as you wrote, those beds are cool! Everyone would wanna hang out in a cool person-cave. It's just sad that they figured the "man-cave" would be the best way to sell it. But then again, men-based marketing has always been excessively stupid. Sells men short, and just plain insults women. No wins there.
I can't help but imagine what kinds of gadgets would be un-friendly to men. I mean, an automatic tampon dispenser wouldn't make that much sense in a bed, even if it were being marketed only toward women.
A canopy, of course. At least one of the beds in the article had what might be called an overhead, but it wasn't anything girly like a canopy.
This reminds me of the Sony Bravia campaign from a few years ago: the one that didn't suggest, but stated as fact that only men care about a TV's "awesome HD picture"; women's only concern is that the set "looks really stylish on the wall".
A canopy, of course. At least one of the beds in the article had what might be called an overhead, but it wasn't anything girly like a canopy.
This reminds me of the Sony Bravia campaign from a few years ago: the one that didn't suggest, but stated as fact that only men care about a TV's "awesome HD picture"; women's only concern is that the set "looks really stylish on the wall".
Oh my goodness - I was reading this very article a few days ago and ended up complaining to my mother about how all of the products were being directed at men. I would love to have one of the sweat-wicking mattresses mentioned in the article, yet they wrote it in the frame of "Men, you're going to love laying on this cooling mattress when you're done with an intense workout" as if
a) women don't work out
b) the idea of a cooling mattress wouldn't be awesome for anyone who gets really hot when they sleep, workout or not..
My mom agreed and pointed out that she'd really want the TV bed for herself as she's primarily the TV watcher in my parents' household.
I just really can't imagine what advantage these companies are possibly enjoying by ignoring 50% of the population in their advertising strategies, when the products so clearly could easily be enjoyed by women. It must cut into their profits in some way to act like women don't exist in their markets, I would hope...