CUTTING OFF THE SUPPLY

Whilst whiling the time away at Stanstead, waiting to get back to Amsterdam & it's small [okay--let's be generous & call it hyper-local] Fashion Week, I was searching for some sneaker blogs-- I have a few pairs to sell!

I came across a post, that made me despair for how a brand seems to have treat a FANATIC--This guy's story had a sadness that was poignant--a--'When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong--scenario.

This guy has operated Pumatalk for 4-5 years, respectfully declining Puma advertising offers & their offer's to buy it--wanting to stay indie [but now actually regretting not selling]--He used to have 10,000 visits a day that's now dropped to 500, & the reasons as he sees them?

"1. PUMA isn't producing any nice products
2. PUMA's sales has dropped
3. I haven't updated the blog or the photoblog in a while
4. PUMA hasn't sent me any Press Releases"

In a time when brands talk about building relationships with their consumers--Letting others spread their messages--Marketing WITH...this is an example of the worst type of reaction to someone saying no to you.

IF a brand has a fanatic that wants to stay independent, surely the least you can do is KEEP sending press releases & inviting him to events--why cut off the supply to your BIGGEST advocate?? Is it a case of 'Hell Hath No Fury like a Brand Scorned'?

For a brand which has 2 values of Openness & Entrepreneurship--At best it seems like spite & short-sightedness--at worst--Inconsistent--Things that consumers don't value.

BRICK TO BRIX

Had quite an ironic Sunday in London--a kinda car v bike scenario.
On Saturday night, after sinking a satisfying pint of Guiness in the Princess pub, near Old Street East London, my mate announced to us that he had entered a BMX race, Brick to Brix-- from Brick Lane to Brixton skate park!

The 150 riders lucky enough sign up in time for the race, were to set off at 1230. The first 100 to reach Elephant & Castle were then given a golden ticket to then continue on to Brixton. After letting us know in no uncertain terms that he would win--just one snag---he didn't have a bmx--spontaneity v pragmatism!

Anyway, the point of the post. We decided to drive to Elephant & Castle to see when the riders turned up....from red-light to red-light, from a blocked London road to another no entry sign & a couple of u-turns, we struggled through traffic to get from Elephant & Castle to Brixton, arriving 30 minutes after the winner had!

London's a far way off of making the streets safe for riders, but riders are making London their own anyway. From the Brick to Brix example of Bike Bombing, the explosion of Fixxies, Top Shop's collaboration with Cycodelic for a clothing collection and Bike Polo--it just needs the government to catch up with the people!

CHARIFF

Just so you can recover from the spam c*** shock, here's some recovery photos...

London 16th of July, just outside Oxford Street tube...the flyest 21 year old that I've seen for a while...Chariff [Gosh I hope I've spelt his name correctly!]...A terribly well-dressed dandy-banker.

SPAMMED

ummmm...sorry about the big willy that may have popped up [unfortunate term] if you're following my blog...I was spammed, but it's off now! look forward to more relevant & salient posts soon!