How commercial can Buffett get?

cdudley · Post by **cdudley** » March 8, 2007 8:01 am

I hate to be negative. I am as big a supporter of Buffett as anyone, and am very appreciative of all his hard work that has brought me great pleasure. But I was just on the margaritaville site to check out some info and can't believe how commercial the site and brand has become. I had not been on the site for a few years but can't believe that there is a margaritaville everything that I can think of. Shrimp, flip flops, tequila, beer, chairs, hats, recipes, shirts, key chains, you name it. I feel that these products and sense of commercialism goes against everything I love about Jimmy Buffett and the escapism and adventure he provides. Jimmy's writing has sent me all over the world to appreciate rare cultures and places. These experiences are invaluable and I consider his creativity and music one of my main influences to do so. One thing I have learned to love in my adventures (inspired by Jimmy himself) is that the further off the beaten path you go, the more exciting, unique, and wonderful it gets. These commercialized and shrink rapped packaged items only help to dilute that experience. I would assume Jimmy feels the same.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » March 8, 2007 8:05 am

well, he hasn't gone NASCAR on his stage outfits...

drunkpirate66 · Post by **drunkpirate66** » March 8, 2007 8:19 am

cdudley wrote:I hate to be negative. I am as big a supporter of Buffett as anyone, and am very appreciative of all his hard work that has brought me great pleasure. But I was just on the margaritaville site to check out some info and can't believe how commercial the site and brand has become. I had not been on the site for a few years but can't believe that there is a margaritaville everything that I can think of. Shrimp, flip flops, tequila, beer, chairs, hats, recipes, shirts, key chains, you name it. I feel that these products and sense of commercialism goes against everything I love about Jimmy Buffett and the escapism and adventure he provides. Jimmy's writing has sent me all over the world to appreciate rare cultures and places. These experiences are invaluable and I consider his creativity and music one of my main influences to do so. One thing I have learned to love in my adventures (inspired by Jimmy himself) is that the further off the beaten path you go, the more exciting, unique, and wonderful it gets. These commercialized and shrink rapped packaged items only help to dilute that experience. I would assume Jimmy feels the same.

yeah, this has been said.

Tin Cup · Post by **Tin Cup** » March 8, 2007 8:23 am

Jimmy has always said that he enjoys being a "businessman" as well as a performer--obviously his success and notoriety has given him many avenues to pursue outside of music. I'm sure that more often than not Jimmy is approached with ideas and projects that he says "no" to, we just don't hear about them. My point is, he has probably (I know I'm broadly speculating) turned down more potential business than he has signed off on. His brand is popular, and the products that I have tried seem to be quality. It could very well be a passion of his that keeps him energized, and if it keeps him making music and on tour, it's all good as far as I'm concerned.

mjeischen · Post by **mjeischen** » March 8, 2007 8:33 am

The question is easy to answer . . . How much will Parrotheads buy?

I don't mind the branding of everything. It helps me capture some of "Jimmy" for my rec room and bar or office or wherever I can sneak one of his trinkets in. Having some of these things scattered about the house keeps me grounded - when I see them I think to escape or dare to dream. Sure there is some excessiveness like a $300 chair but who am I to say anything. THere must be a market for it to sell it.

As for marketing the food and liqours - we parrotheads love our booze and food. Aside from Landshark which I have not had yet the stuff isn't bad either.

I don't hold this against Jimmy and I don't think it makes him any less of who you think he is as an adventurer and so on. It's business and the parrotheads are buying.

Caribbean Soul Man · Post by **Caribbean Soul Man** » March 8, 2007 8:41 am

Through his career and adventures, Jimmy has created the interest and demand in all that stuff in the first place so if someone is going to make $$$ selling all that stuff, it's fine with me if it's him.

The Margaritaville Brand IS Jimmy and I'm happy to see that he's become one of the biggest brands in the country. As most of us would agree, the world could always use a little more Jimmy

chippewa · Post by **chippewa** » March 8, 2007 8:59 am

So it'a a profit deal?

CapnK · Post by **CapnK** » March 8, 2007 9:05 am

sounds like somebody just hit stage 8

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... parrothead

cdudley · Post by **cdudley** » March 8, 2007 9:27 am

I did not intend to point out the selling and marketing of products as much as I meant the lack of connection between his products and my perception of his message. Personally, I see little comparison between a mass produced margaritaville t-shirt and Jimmy's song line and writing. When I get off the beaten path to Jimmy inspired locations, the thing I like most about it is that there is a lack of commericalism. The people and lifestyle are unique and interesting. Why buy margaritaville tequila when you can discover familia reserva tequila. Why buy land shark lager when you can try something unique and different. If I could take away the most important value that Jimmy has provided me it is to enjoy the world and value all the little things that make places unique. As a strong Buffett fan, I was surprised to find that I have no interest in anything that was available under the margaritaville brand. That is what I was trying to point out. I do not see a conection between Jimmy's message and a cheezy pair of margaritaville flip flops.

Captian K
You are fairly accurate on the level 8 comment. I remember reading that post a year ago and considered myself a level 9 at the time. But now realized that I had no Idea of the level of stuff that he was selling. I have spent more time traveling to strange and unique parts of the world (thanks to buffett) than hanging out on margaritaville.com. Anyway, I still appreciate his song lines.

OystersandBeer · Post by **OystersandBeer** » March 8, 2007 9:31 am

Who cares?

I don't buy any of that stuff. I don't even drink his tequila and although I've visited the Margaritavilles in Vegas, Orlando, Key West and New Orleans I don't return to them (except the New Orleans one for the bloody marys). But in Key West there are plenty of cooler bars to hit and better places to eat at. And besides TTWWY, it's been since Baromter Soup since I've actually enjoyed the whole c.d.

But I still go to the shows and listen o RM and listen to all the old stuff that I love. So again, who cares if he's commercial.

Caribbean Soul Man · Post by **Caribbean Soul Man** » March 8, 2007 9:35 am

Are you all kidding me???

Who couldn't use a Cheeseburger Alarm Clock/Lamp for just $12.95?

http://www.margaritavillestore.com/brow ... 4,1982.htm

PA PAR8 HED · Post by **PA PAR8 HED** » March 8, 2007 9:40 am

CapnK wrote:sounds like somebody just hit stage 8

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... parrothead

Stage 8 it is!!!

When it comes to ticket prices, cover songs and Margaritaville dogfood bowls, we all draw the line in different places. One fan's overkill is another fan's perfect addition to the basement shrine or tailgate tiki bar.

That's why they make lime margaritas and mango margaritas (and you can get both mixers in the Margaritaville brand

)

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » March 8, 2007 9:44 am

i'm surprised it's taken this long.

from the earliest days of mville.com jimmy stated in a number of interviews he considered mville.com as a mass-marketing tool for JB Inc.

NanaBabe · Post by **NanaBabe** » March 8, 2007 9:45 am

cdudley wrote: I feel that these products and sense of commercialism goes against everything I love about Jimmy Buffett and the escapism and adventure he provides. Jimmy's writing has sent me all over the world to appreciate rare cultures and places. These experiences are invaluable and I consider his creativity and music one of my main influences to do so.

Those products are what enables him to continue going to the places and having the adventures that influence you.

He certainly doesn't make a fortune from selling cd's and I'll bet just his cut of the 25ish concerts a year wouldn't do it either. He has to continually market to continually bring in new people to replace the continuous stream of people who quit attending and buying.

It is exTREMely expensive to own the jet and the big boat that allow him to get to those locales not to mention the traveling circus and perpetual motion of business that big money requires. He makes a lot, but he spends alot, much of it on those adventures that influence his songs and books you like

MikeInNOLA · Post by **MikeInNOLA** » March 8, 2007 9:46 am

CapnK wrote:sounds like somebody just hit stage 8

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... parrothead

It's a thin line between stage 8 and stage 9. I have stumbled back and forth across that line many times. Now, I just stay on the stage 9 side of the line...it makes life a lot easier!

ColdWaterConch · Post by **ColdWaterConch** » March 8, 2007 9:50 am

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:i'm surprised it's taken this long.

from the earliest days of mville.com jimmy stated in a number of interviews he considered mville.com as a mass-marketing tool for JB Inc.

This is true...we all like to think of JB as a flip-flop wearing beach bum, but he really is a savy businessman who has been building an empire that will give him a stream of income once he retires...and likely long after he has died.

Love that stage thread...so very true and accurate.

Personally, I refuse to buy the Margaritaville branded crap. Never had the tequila...won't buy the Landshark Lager..buy the shrimp when it is BOGO. I may be a fan, but I'm not a lemming.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » March 8, 2007 9:53 am

MikeInNOLA wrote:
CapnK wrote:sounds like somebody just hit stage 8

http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... parrothead
It's a thin line between stage 8 and stage 9. I have stumbled back and forth across that line many times. Now, I just stay on the stage 9 side of the line...it makes life a lot easier!

it is easy to wobble over that line, about like trying to walk a straight one after a few too many Perfect Margaritas.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » March 8, 2007 10:00 am

I think a M'ville race car would be cool

and I think NASCAR is for hicks and loosahs (ok, most of my friends

)

Caribbean Soul Man · Post by **Caribbean Soul Man** » March 8, 2007 10:07 am

I wanna go fast

smacky · Post by **smacky** » March 8, 2007 10:10 am

NanaBabe wrote: Those products are what enables him to continue going to the places and having the adventures that influence you.

(Emphasis added)

That's the bottom line. He's always said "I'm spending YOUR money foolishly." Artists, whether they be novelists, musicians, whatever, entertain you with THEIR exploits. Obviously not many people have the money to live like Jimmy, so he came up with the idea of allowing average joe and jane to do this in small doses: attending concerts, eating at his restaurants, buying random crap with the word Margaritaville on it, and so on.

I don't understand what you mean when you say his "message." I've never heard his music as a call to get rid of material goods and live a life of nomadic adventures. Are there any completely non-commercial (as in "they don't care about making money") artists out there? Jerry Garcia made ties and wine and Bob Dylan appeared in a Victoria Secret commerical.

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