[The Smiler] Marketing discussion

I really like it!

Also, the advert really hints at The Smiler duelling with itself. Plus, even with swirly eyes that one guys pretty hot!

jmc said:

Well thats certainly not what I was expecting! I was hoping for something along the lines of Oblivion's advert.

As it stands I dont think its very effective.

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Really reminds me of oblivions advert actually. Quite a similar style with one rider talking to another like that.

Is that actual footage of the first inversion? I guess not. From that it looks a bit of a nothing really, just standard lighting tunnel type affair.

Not a fan.


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It's not that bad, but it's not that great either. I'm not really a fan of these new style adverts that Towers have done recently for their newer attractions, but such is the way. There's some really good ride footage, I like the bit in the station too.

I do, however, really really hate the use of CGI to create the towers and make it look all wonky and "funky". It's a stunning looking building as it is, I wish they'd just film it rather than create it!

Quite like that, it manages to get the hypnotism/corrected aspect, the inversion count, the Marmaliser and a small nod to the Oblivion advert in the space of 30 seconds.

I just find it quite amusing that they advertised Th13teen as if its was the scariest ride on the planet, and they've advertised a really quite intense scary rollercoaster in a zany, light hearted way.

I think it definitely could have benefited from a more sinister ad.

I just think the important bits '14 inversions' is a bit too quick.

Similarly, don't know if it actually shows the scale of the ride. And the voice of the actor is wayyyy too deep.

Yeah, I'm not sure about this one.

It's a good advert and done nicely although it's lacking that extra spark the Th13teen, Air, Oblivion and Nemesis adverts had. I put this down mainly to lack of teasers/blipverts, which is disappointing to say the least for one of the biggest roller coasters in UK history.

Got a bit of a connection to the Air and Oblivion adverts there.

I like it, it cries out fun. Everyone wants fun rides. Least it's not being mismarketed like thirteen.

I quite like it. It'll attract attention and appeal to a wide audience. Which is entirely the point in paying for an advert.

Would have liked to have seen them use the laughing version of ITHOTMK, would have added that little extra scariness to it.

I wonder, and hope, if they'll do a post-watershed version which would show the sinister side to it?

I wouldn't be surprised if this was a pre-watershed advert.

I was about ten years old when I was over 140cm...a lot of the darker sides to say, Oblivion went over my head but I was still able to ride the coaster and enjoy the coaster. There is still a family market with this ride. It won't appeal to families with kids of 9-12 years old if the ride is marketed at 18+. I hate to burst everyone's bubble in thinking it's a coaster only for adults, but it simply isn't. Furthermore Alton Towers, unlike Thorpe Park, directs its marketing at everyone. An advert shown before 9pm has to be appealing to everyone. Even if the family has small children and no one has any intention of going on the Smiler, if you show the park as being a terrifying, thrill-seeking place these families won't want to go and ride the significant portion of the park that is suitable for them and does actually provide them with a good day out.

If I am correct, there'll be a post-watershed advert. Whether or not it will be like Th13teen whereby it was the same advert just with a little more 'dark' bits, or genuinely a whole new advert (Which I'm hoping for...there's so much potential!) It's hard to second guess the marketing department...but we can hope!

I'm just praying that the cynical side of me, that says the marketing has changed because they feel they 'over-darkened' Th13teen so therefore they don't want to go down that route again...hmm...

kamfira said:

I was about ten years old when I was over 140cm...a lot of the darker sides to say, Oblivion went over my head but I was still able to ride the coaster and enjoy the coaster. There is still a family market with this ride. It won't appeal to families with kids of 9-12 years old if the ride is marketed at 18+. I hate to burst everyone's bubble in thinking it's a coaster only for adults, but it simply isn't.

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Even though I love The Sanctuary (does everyone know that yet?) I totally agree. This isn't just a ride for adults, I only had this discussion the other day, regardless of what marketing departments or enthusiasts think, that won't change plenty of brave lanky little ones strapping themselves in!!

I personally love the Ad! Apart from the voice, a bit exaggerated? But the rest of it is awesome! And it may confirm self duelling!

Launched vertical lift hill then.

Re: Re: [The Smiler] Marketing discussion

mikeroller said:

Launched vertical lift hill then.

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I think that's mere artistic license. I'm sure we'd know by now if it was launched.

However, I'm remaining open minded, this ride could do anything.

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They'll have just made the lift quicker to save time in the advert. They just pack as much into it as they can, and filming a train crawling up the lift won't captivate an audience.

A very generic advert for such a thematic ride. Not as effective as the Sub-Terra one which, obviously, it should've been 10 fold, and not a patch on Th13teen.

It's all very CGI but I like it... I liked the marketing style used last year for Ice Age and Sub Terra and I'm glad that's continued. It's a bit cheesy and a bit camp but to me that is Alton Towers.

It shows the ride, gives the whole 'Join Us' impression and mentions the world record - all with IHOTMK playing in the background. I think it does enough to sell the ride.

I wouldn't be surprised if a longer ad has been made too though, as this seems quite short.


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I like all of it bar the fact that they've just used the standard version of ITHOTMK. I don't think it would've been too difficult for them to knock one up that was in off-pitch style of actual ride theme. Still, if the indoor barrel roll turns out to be anything like it looks on there then I'll be happy.