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How does/will Monster-Specialized define success this season?

slyfink

slyfink

Turbo Monkey
Sep 16, 2008
9,752
5,555
Ottawa, Canada
I just got done watching the corporate vids on littermag (http://www.littermag.com/2009/ - thanks Litter!) and started wondering how Monster-Specialized will define success this year.

You can tell Sam is really hungry for a win, even though he's been riding really consistently. But what about his bosses? Are they expecting a win? Are they happy that both their riders are placing on the podium pretty consistently? I wonder what their goal for the year was, and how many years they're in it for...
 
boogenman

boogenman

Turbo Monkey
Nov 3, 2004
4,367
1,041
BUFFALO
Sam needs the DW to win.

I am sure specialized is happy with his results and I am sure they are going to be pleased with Demo sales in the future because of him.

The R&D and incresed sales from having him with them is probably a good pay off.
 
captainspauldin

captainspauldin

intrigued by a pole
May 14, 2007
1,287
190
Jersey Shore
All things considered, it's a new team, new bike(for sam/brendog), and to podium multiple tinmes on their first go at seriously attacking the WC circuit should be enough(although some may say they bought those podiums by signing Sam and Bren). It's good to see Specialized get seriously involved in DH(I think atleast) it will only lead to better bikes from them and more support for DH in general(I'm sure the Big S's advertising budget is huge).
 
boogenman

boogenman

Turbo Monkey
Nov 3, 2004
4,367
1,041
BUFFALO
gonefirefightin said:
wider sharpies
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Sam seems to be really liking the tires Specialized is making for him, I don't think Jacy has to worry about a sharpie in his tool box anymore.

I wouldn't ride a Demo unless I was handed a fat pay check for doing so, I'm sure Sam feels the same way :boss: :popcorn:
 
RayB

RayB

Monkey
Jan 31, 2008
744
95
Seattle
Success = winning

If Sam (or Brendan) doesn't win a WC this season, it's a disappointment. The people who sign the paychecks at the Big S have spent and will spend too much money to be satisfied with 2nd place.
 
O

OBB

Monkey
Sep 25, 2008
157
3
RayB said:
Success = winning

If Sam (or Brendan) doesn't win a WC this season, it's a disappointment. The people who sign the paychecks at the Big S have spent and will spend too much money to be satisfied with 2nd place.
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I think you have it backwards. Success = selling bikes and getting lots of advertising time, to which I would say Specialized has been successful with.
 
jonKranked

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
88,222
26,537
media blackout
OBB said:
I think you have it backwards. Success = selling bikes and getting lots of advertising time, to which I would say Specialized has been successful with.
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On the same line of thought, considering how long Specialized has been back into the dh/fr end of the spectrum, I'm kinda surprised they didn't have a flagship/factory/supastarrrr race/team sooner. Brendog and Unibrow are now the "face" of specialized WC/Dh so to speak.

Yes, I'm sure that the Big S would be happier with wins, but I doubt they're disappointed with (mostly) consistent results and no injuries.
 
RayB

RayB

Monkey
Jan 31, 2008
744
95
Seattle
OBB said:
I think you have it backwards. Success = selling bikes and getting lots of advertising time, to which I would say Specialized has been successful with.
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That's a very valid point and I totally agree with you... from a purely business standpoint.

We're talking about Monster-Specialized -- the team. Their job isn't to sell bikes. Yes, Sam is paid to say "I reckon the Specialized Demo 8 is the best downhill bike out there" in an interview here or there. But really, his only job is to win races which unfortunately, he hasn't done at the WC level this season... yet.

I'm sure their execs are happy that Sam is putting in consistent results, and any exec who wouldn't be is crazy. But this is racing. 2nd place is just the fastest loser.
 
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freeridefool

Monkey
Jun 17, 2006
647
0
medford, or
I have never heard Sam talk about the demo in any interviews that I can remember. I know he isnt like Peaty who always says great things about his v10. But Ive never heard him say anything about the bike. But I think Sam and Brendog are have a great season. Neither has wc wins yet but they have been so strong every week. If sam could figure out how to pace himself this season could be alot different.
 
S

slowmtb

Monkey
Aug 17, 2008
216
0
ChurChur, NZ
What wins on Sunday, sells on Monday.

Nobody ( unless they are stupid ) races at the elite level without expecting a pay back. The riders get mucho $$ or whatever else their contracts include for their efforts.
The bicycle companies expect lots of sales as a result of either media exposure ( this is where Sam fits in ) or results that make Joe DHer think their bike is the next best thing ( Demo8 is the next best IH Sunday ). It all boils down to marketing and SALES, full stop.
Specialised were smart getting Sam to sign.
 
S

stinky6

Monkey
Dec 24, 2004
517
0
Monroe
Sam Hill and his new ride seem to be pretty hot topics so I'd say they have had a very good season and have seen/will see more sales.
 
T

trib

not worthy of a Rux.
Jun 22, 2009
1,607
587
i think they will be happy they arent in Kenda-Morewoods shoes......in all seriousness they signed sam to win world cups/champs and wont really be happy till that happens despite how consistant or close he is to the top spot. Brendan works well at attracting the UK market and also seems to get along well with Sam so winning races isnt really the aim of signing Brendan.

If anyone would like to tell me how wrong i am please go ahead.
 
D

davetrump

Turbo Monkey
Jul 29, 2003
1,270
0
slowmtb said:
The riders get mucho $$
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hahhahahhaaha... ridemonkey quote of the year

this thread might even be thread of the year considering there are 4 major races left and the season is only 1/2 over really.

maybe specialized will wait to define success when the season is OVER
 
Transcend

Transcend

My Nuts Are Flat
Apr 18, 2002
18,040
3
Towing the party line.
freeridefool said:
I have never heard Sam talk about the demo in any interviews that I can remember. I know he isnt like Peaty who always says great things about his v10. But Ive never heard him say anything about the bike. But I think Sam and Brendog are have a great season. Neither has wc wins yet but they have been so strong every week. If sam could figure out how to pace himself this season could be alot different.
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As someone who interviews them weekly for both internal press releases and editorial work, I can assure you they mention their demos/Sx Trails etc in almost every single interview.
 
F

freeridefool

Monkey
Jun 17, 2006
647
0
medford, or
Transcend said:
As someone who interviews them weekly for both internal press releases and editorial work, I can assure you they mention their demos/Sx Trails etc in almost every single interview.
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That cool. I know you always have the inside info on the wc scene. I was mostly refering to the interviews you see on the dirt and mbcut videos relating to the the wc races. I think sam is the man. Thanks for the info.
 
ska todd

ska todd

Turbo Monkey
Oct 10, 2001
1,776
0
They clearly will define their success by comments, rumors, and conjecture posted by people on ridemonkey with only passing or incorrect knowledge of World Cup racing...

-ska todd
 
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funkendrenchman

Monkey
May 30, 2005
323
0
A$$pen
slowmtb said:
What wins on Sunday, sells on Monday.

Nobody ( unless they are stupid ) races at the elite level without expecting a pay back. The riders get mucho $$ or whatever else their contracts include for their efforts.
The bicycle companies expect lots of sales as a result of either media exposure ( this is where Sam fits in ) or results that make Joe DHer think their bike is the next best thing ( Demo8 is the next best IH Sunday ). It all boils down to marketing and SALES, full stop.
Specialised were smart getting Sam to sign.
Click to expand...
Oddly enough, I don't think I've seen more Demos this year, like I did Sundays in years past. Maybe it is because Yeti owns CO.
 
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