Author Topic: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book  (Read 18899 times)

House of Mustard

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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #15 on: July 11, 2006, 01:49:22 PM »
Seagull undercuts DB's prices so much, it's no wonder DB is worried.

Interesting: I have just heard a rumor (possibly untrue) that Sheri Dew has been asked to step down.  I don't think it was in conjunction with this -- I get the feeling it happened a few months ago.  I'll try to find out more.
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Firemeboy

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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #16 on: July 11, 2006, 02:19:01 PM »
So the real question is will this policy be reversed after she leaves, or is this seen as a way to 'fix' the problems she has caused?

I also wonder if part of DB's problem is in the fact that they have tried to do too much.  They've got four different publishing imprints, they've got their movie production arm, they now sell bread in their stores...  I've seen companies go under trying to do too much, and yet then there are companies who do well by branching out.

Who knows?
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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #17 on: July 11, 2006, 02:29:47 PM »
Branching out in that way would mean death for a normal bookstore, because brand extension is almost never a good idea--when you're "about" too many things, you're not really about anything anymore. In the case of Deseret Book, however, their primary product is mormon culture, and the actual products involved are secondary. You go to B&N because you want a book; you go to DB because you're a Mormon. That's the image they have always tried to foster, and that's their main marketing strategy.

What that means practically is that any competition at all is bad--their image relies on the fact that there is no competition at all. The very existence of Seagull is a sign that DB is not "the" mormon bookstore, merely "a" mormon bookstore. Normally this would not be a problem, but DB's marketing premise is very shaky. What they need to do is redefine what they do and who they are--they need to be about "quality" or "convenience" or "low prices" or something like that, because being about "mormonism" is impossible to sustain in a free market.
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House of Mustard

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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #18 on: July 12, 2006, 12:19:45 PM »
Mr. Matthew Buckley emailed Deseret Book and got back the following response.  I'm posting it here with his permission.

Quote
Thank you for taking the time to inquire with us directly in this matter.

Deseret Book, as a publisher and wholesaler, has determined to no longer sell products to Seagull Book and Tape. Deseret Book and Seagull have a long-standing difference in views regarding how Deseret Book products should be merchandised, promoted, and treated.

Deseret Book products will continue to be available through thousands of other outlets including Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Costco, Smiths, Walgreens, Barnes and Noble, Borders, FYE Stores, Amazon.com, hundreds of independent LDS and general bookstores, Deseret Book stores, and Deseretbook.com.

Thank you again for your interest. We genuinely hope that this decision will not cause you personal concern or inconvenience.

-Keith Hunter
VP, Sales and Development
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Firemeboy

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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #19 on: July 12, 2006, 06:17:03 PM »
I was also called today by a reporter from the SL Tribune who was looking into this matter.  Does anybody take that paper?  There might be a story in there withing the next little bit.
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Firemeboy

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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #20 on: July 12, 2006, 08:14:37 PM »
Trib had a very breif article on the subject.  I hope there is more to come...

http://chickenarmpits.blogspot.com/2006/07/salt-lake-tribune-article.html
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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #21 on: July 12, 2006, 08:30:59 PM »
Why am I not surprised it's over one being upset that the other doesn't advertise their books as well as they'd like.
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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #22 on: July 12, 2006, 11:01:18 PM »
That's silly. If they tried that on a B&N or a Borders, not to mention any number of indie bookshops, they'd get laughed right out of the store. A bookstore has the right to put up whatever promo stuff they want in their store, and to totally discard promo stuff they receive, too. This is why bookstore real estate is so prized with publishers: it's LIMITED.
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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #23 on: July 13, 2006, 12:45:27 AM »
This article makes Deseret Book sound like a bunch of snobs.

Which could be true...
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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #24 on: July 13, 2006, 09:06:53 AM »
let me decipher some code:

"Deseret Book and Seagull have a long-standing difference in views regarding how Deseret Book products should be merchandised, promoted, and treated. "

ie, DB should have exclusive space and doesn't need another book store competing with them. Get real. It's not about in-store advertising or display. It's about the store itself. Seagull things that other stores should be able to sell DB products. DB thinks that Seagull shouldn't be in the market at all. That's where the difference in merchandizing, promoting, and treating comes from.

THis is what we call "Spin doctoring." They give you a bunch of words that, technically, can mean what they mean, but that no one will interpret correctly.

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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #25 on: July 13, 2006, 11:45:45 AM »
Several more articles this morning, one of which quoted me...

http://chickenarmpits.blogspot.com/2006/07/more-news.html

« Last Edit: July 13, 2006, 01:02:28 PM by Firemeboy »
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Skar

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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #26 on: July 13, 2006, 12:12:39 PM »
Your link is asking me for a password.
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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #27 on: July 13, 2006, 01:02:55 PM »
My bad, should work now.
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Chimera

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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #28 on: July 13, 2006, 03:34:09 PM »
Which one quoted you? I didn't see it.
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House of Mustard

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Re: Deseret Book vs. Seagull Book
« Reply #29 on: July 13, 2006, 03:37:31 PM »
He was quoted in the Tribune.

Oh -- here's the reason you didn't see it: Matthew Buckley is actually his Superhero name.  His secret identity is Marion Jensen.  (I hope that doesn't spoil the illusion.)
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