Ffr dvd

[flynntuna]

Any updates regarding the new DVD? If we requested one online earlier this year will it be automatically shipped ?

[Dave Smith]

Sheesh, Ive been away a long time but I saw this post and decided I better answer it myself, seeings how I'm the one who has been driving this project for going on TWO YEARS.

We have the final revision completed and being authored (its sorta like the navigation of the DVD menu etc). We have a stack of more than 20,000 names waiting for a copy. This has been one of the biggest delays in company history. The fact was that the old DVD was just so out of date that we couldnt keep sending it out. Then as we updated the new one, we kept making changes (second gen Coupe and GTM, Mk4, and the new 818) and other priorities kept popping up, each time pushing the DVD back... Bottom line is that we should have em all out the door shortly. Sorry for the delay, but I'm really STOKED with all the new content and stuff in it.

I'll try and get some more posts in as we approach SEMA and look forward to our 2014 plan. I love this forum and am very grateful for all the great ideas. You may not realize it fully, but you guys carry a lot of weight in the decisions I make every day at FFR.

Dave

[EricScottZehnder]

Dave, perhaps it's not really necessary to go through the effort of having a DVD. You could easily utilize your official YouTube channel and put full 1080p trailers for your cars, update them on a case-by-case basis as the models change, pair/link them directly to detailed instructional videos, select videos of people driving them on track and on the limit, etc.

I really think you could use YouTube far better than you currently are and it would generate a lot of buzz. I know that detailed video instructions are FAR more valuable to me than even a detailed manual as you get far more context, ability to share timestamps with other users while helping in forums, etc.

Thank You for driving the development of the promotional materials, though. I hope it turns out great.

[WIS89]

ESZ-

I agree with you as it pertains to existing customers. However, most prospective customers would likely want the DVD rather than looking exclusively online. I think the online material is very important, and FFR appears to be updating that material more and more. However, I think the DVD for prospects is a solid idea. How many of us have handed a DVD to a friend and said "take a look at this;" I think that this is better than saying "go check out this link." I also think that the material they have created must be the exclusive domain of a DVD, and could just as easily end up on their YouTube channel, as well as their own website. I don't think that they are mutually exclusive.

My opinion only. Others may feel strongly that just the opposite is true. Either way, I can't wait to see the new DVD!

Regards,

Steve

[skullandbones]

Dave, perhaps it's not really necessary to go through the effort of having a DVD. You could easily utilize your official YouTube channel and put full 1080p trailers for your cars, update them on a case-by-case basis as the models change, pair/link them directly to detailed instructional videos, select videos of people driving them on track and on the limit, etc.

I really think you could use YouTube far better than you currently are and it would generate a lot of buzz. I know that detailed video instructions are FAR more valuable to me than even a detailed manual as you get far more context, ability to share timestamps with other users while helping in forums, etc.

Thank You for driving the development of the promotional materials, though. I hope it turns out great.

I was wondering if Dave and FFR have considered concentrating on the electronic pathway for this. DVDs aren't expensive per copy but the time and resources and the upgrade responsibility (to keep things current) is enormous. I for one would be just as happy steaming it to my tv from the on line feed. I would imagine that the cost of mailing alone is significant. As much as FFR has embraced technology to build the products, it would make sense to leverage the technology for this too. I guess you could still make a DVD available if that person just had to have it in their hot little hands. Last thing DVDs wear out (when you've play them a 1000 times!). Whatever form it comes in, I am anxious to see it. Thanks Dave, WEK.

[Xusia]

The DVD content is essentially marketing. This implies you need to meet the customer on their turf. So the question is really one of what is appropriate to reach the intended audience. From that standpoint, I think using both the DVD and online materials (even if the content is the same) is the best approach. There are some folks, like my parents, who just aren't going to do research online and make a decision based on that. If they were to consider building an FFR, I'm fairly certain they'd prefer to get that material on a DVD.

Me? I like the idea of getting it online. I don't have to wait. I can do it on my phone if I like while standing in line for a movie. I don't have to feel guilty about the waste/consumption of the DVD (although apparently I have no guilt when it comes to inconveniencing electrons!). And more important I can send my friends a link and say "Hey! Check out what I'm getting!!" Even those that live in other states...

[metros]

Agreed with skullandbones. The money saved on using the internet to deliver the content would be enormous. Put those funds to good use and give the guys putting in long hours an unexpected bonus.

[tenncobra]

One of the advantages of the DVD is that you have to give them your information to get it. That way they have it for future marketing as well. If it is online, then it can be viewed anonymously and F5 has no opportunity for further marketing or followup.

[Oppenheimer]

Roadster target audience age = DVD. But the younger generation which the 818 is now generating interest strongly prefers online.

The target audience age of the 818 probably casts a wider net than any previous FFR model. So its genereating interest young and old. So they really need both medias to cover the bases.

FFR has a lot of experience with producing quality DVD's that grab attention. This online thing is new territory. I agree they need to start putting more focus into online. They just reduce their efforts with the DVD's for a while yet.

[flynntuna]

The DVD is simply a marketing tool. It's a great item to pass out at car shows and the like, also it helps FFR gain info on their advertising. When someone goes to the website and is interested enough to sign up for brochures and a DVD, they answer questions that help FFR in their marketing plans. Plus it's just good ole car porn.:p

[FFRSomeday]

I wouldn't mind if the info was only on Youtube as long as it could be downloaded from there as well. Sometimes I want to re-watch things when an internet connection isn't readily available. Some content on Youtube is available for download but other content is blocked. (I think the Roadster Build Series is blocked from being downloaded and can only be viewed with an internet connection.)

[Niburu]

FFR promotional DVD's are some of the best low budget car porn DVD's out there.