Want to hear about something fast?
Last June, QVC (the $9 billion a year television retailer) approached us about doing a one-time sale of our amazing Ball of Whacks. We said, "Why not?" and produced a special order for them of 4,000 yellow Balls of Whacks.
We didn't know what would happen. Would we eat the order? Would there be a tepid response? Would their audience get it?
Here's what happened.
Last Friday evening, QVC had a six-hour pre-holiday promotion from 6 PM to Midnight. The Ball of Whacks went on the air at 8:14 PM.
Veteran QVC presenter Bob Bowersox opened the slot by saying, "Last night I took the the Ball of Whacks home with me and played with it for an hour. I got to tell you that it's better than Rubik's Cube." He then added, "It would take me the rest of his life to put a Rubik's cube together; the Ball of Whacks, however, is fun but not frustrating."
The phones went crazy! Over the next several minutes they received 2,064 calls. The entire order (just under 4,000 units) sold out in 319 seconds! That's 5 minutes and 19 seconds, or almost 800 Balls a minute. What fun! What an adrenaline rush!
As you can imagine, I developed a brand new appreciation for QVC's marketing clout.
[To get your very own Ball of Whacks (in red, blue, or tri-color), go here!]
QVC and HSN carries a lot of marketing clout in my household. And I have the kitchen gadgets face creams to prove it. Sadly, I didn't see your spot, but since I already have a BOW, I'll have just be happy for you for this amazing accomplishment!
Congrats!
:)
Posted by: Cam Beck | 17 October 2007 at 10:11 AM
Cam: "QVC carries a lot of marketing clout in my household."
I was impressed by QVC's professionalism. It was also fun watching the presentations for the other products. Some interesting merchandise.
Posted by: Roger von Oech | 17 October 2007 at 10:15 AM
Wow! Congrats!
Posted by: Matt J. | 17 October 2007 at 10:29 AM
Roger,
This is incredible! Congratulations. By the way, your headline is quite provocative. Are you trying to attract an audience from the "adult" web world? (LOL)
Posted by: Lewis Green | 17 October 2007 at 10:50 AM
That is sooo coool!
Congratulations!! You are a mogul!
Posted by: Liz Strauss | 17 October 2007 at 11:16 AM
Matt, Lewis, and Liz: Thanks for the good wishes. And no, Lewis, I'm not trying to seduce folks from the "adult" web world. It's just that "Balls" (rather than "Balls of Whacks") fit better into my space.
Posted by: Roger von Oech | 17 October 2007 at 03:36 PM
Nice! Congratulations!
Posted by: Paul McEnany | 17 October 2007 at 06:03 PM
Congratulations, Roger! That's awesome :)
Posted by: Nathania Johnson | 17 October 2007 at 09:51 PM
Hey Roger,
That's amazing. I understand that living this experience from the production/seller side is indeed quite different. Proves that this medium and the prescription via a trusted/known person do help boost the sales. Many learnings to get from there. Thanks for sharing and congratulations!
Posted by: Luc Debaisieux | 18 October 2007 at 12:56 AM
You should hold a competition with a ball as prize =)
Posted by: Tomas | 18 October 2007 at 02:59 AM
Congratulations, Roger.
Is there any word on whether you are going to have a second crack at QVC in the future?
Sounds like part of the show "Blow Out" about the Jonathan Product. Any word on a reality show on your life?
Posted by: Jeff Mordan | 18 October 2007 at 04:09 AM
I bet you it was an awesome feeling, selling 4000 balls in 5 minutes. Now, you properly want to do it as offen as you can get the chance too. Congradulations.
Fadhel
WholeSaleLounge.com
Posted by: Fadhel | 19 October 2007 at 08:08 PM
That's awesome!
Usually getting in with QVC or HSN can be quite difficult, as one has to really persuade sell-ability AND your production/logistics capability. But hey...They came to you. And that's much different. Congratulations!
Posted by: Mario Vellandi | 20 October 2007 at 05:38 PM
That is so cool - even cooler that we can get the BofW in colors now!
It's always the first thing my kids pick up when they come in my office to talk to me!
Posted by: ann michael | 21 October 2007 at 05:10 AM
Paul, Nathania, Luc, Tomas, Jeff, Fadhel, Mario, Ann: Thanks to you for your kind words. It was fun!
Posted by: Roger von Oech | 22 October 2007 at 02:30 PM
Roger,
That's great!
John
Posted by: Shakespeare's Fool | 22 October 2007 at 09:41 PM
Hi. Love this toy, seriously love it. Is there any thing I can do about the white pock marks that have developed on the surface of the pieces above the magnets?
Posted by: Brendan | 16 November 2007 at 06:51 PM
hey roger great story it is amazing what results media promotion can produce.
Posted by: Gerard Toland | 17 May 2011 at 02:06 AM