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Is it just me, or is this years Campaign stalling?

Posted on January 28th, 2008 in Beefy, Boony, Doll, VB, Warnie.

071224-0806-21I haven’t blogged on here for a while and I was trying to work out why! Is it that I haven’t had time? Somewhat, there has been Christmas, New Years, School holidays and then me being on holidays travelling. Maybe, but I think its more a point of the way that the campaign had been run this year.

There has been some nice editions to the whole Campaign by adding Desktop Widgets and some extra competitions, but I think they dropped the ball. There has been plenty of advertising on the Cricket. Most of the sight screens around the country have had Warnie’s characture  on them and lots of the boundary fences as well.

071224-0803-23The problem I see is that my Warnie figurine that has sat on my cupboard since I got it in December has done nothing! Not only that, but I can’t make it do anything either. Lasts years Boony/Beefy dolls where fantastic (and still are. Often I joke to the wife, “what would Boony say about this”, I then press his button and get a comment) in that firstly the random comments went off for things like Melbourne Cup, Queens Birthday, Christmas, New Years, etc. This meant that you always kept Boony and Beefy around to see what they where going to say and when they would say it.

Warnie, to my knowledge, hasn’t said a word yet! The Cricket season seems like it is almost over. The Indian test series is on its last day. The T20 match between the T20 World Champs, India and the One Day World Champs, Australia is on this Friday and then we start the One Days and Warnie Comes to life.

Also the package claims that we are back to having the communications kicked off from signals kicked off from the TV but I am hoping that this isn’t the case or at least it isn’t totally based on the TV interaction as the first dolls where plagued by problems with this interaction but did seem to go off on a timer.

So this years doll/figurine has been the best looking but worst yet. Lets hope they continue the campaign next year but return to the button operation of the Boony/Beefy dolls.

Molly

 
Related Posts Warnie hits back at Critics!In Warne, Out BoonyThis would be music to Warnies ears - VB Stubby SymphonyExclusive: How to get your Warnie Doll!

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31 responses

  1. Tasweb says:

    Added on January 29th, 2008 at 10:40 am

    I totally agree. My Warnie hasn’t said a word all season (as per the instructions). I really do think they have stuffed up this year as unless VB Warnie really impresses me when the ODI’s start this will be the last time I make a purchase.

    On a side note, I don’t think VB Warnie will be activated by sounds from the telly. I pulled mine apart and I couldn’t find any sign of a microphone. There was a mystery black blob that I couldn’t explain though. I wrote a story with photo’s at http://www.tasweb.org/warnie

  2. Richard says:

    Added on January 29th, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    Just thought i would write a note to let you know that i too was disapointed with warnie not saying anything, but was suprised on australia day when he would not shut up for the whole day!

    While i always seemed to be in the other room while he talked and he had stopped when i got there i was sitting there for a couple of them.

    My favourite was warnie singing “Australians all let us rejoyce, For we all Love VB” to the National anthem and his comments of, “Im not a camel love, Get me a VB”

    Just thought i would let you know that he does talk and while he hasnt said another word since australia day, at least i know he works!!

  3. mollyfud (blog author) says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 12:39 pm

    Tasweb: Thanks for the support. I came across your post and will be putting a link to it in the future (when I have some time).

    Richard, I am sort of happy and pissed off about Warnie talking on Australia Day. Happy as far as it means that there was other times he talked but the fact that they hadn’t had anything up till then means that I (and I bet hundreds of others as well) wouldn’t be looking/listening for it.

    But the main thing is that it seems that this is such a backward step for the program unless there is something they are holding off for a later time like some sort of plugin to add a button like approach to Warnie.

    But today is the day we have be waiting for and I really hope that we get some good comments and there are some new ones that wasn’t on the desktop widget.

    Molly

  4. agentsarah6 says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 2:41 pm

    I’ve been disappointed as well. Mine talked on Australia Day but I was never in the room to hear it.

    The first ODI is on right now and so far the only thing he’s said is “Oi! Hand me the remote, the cricket’s about to start!” after the coin toss and even that was hardly audible.

    Really disappointed. Hope he starts talking a bit more as the ODI Series goes on.

  5. Tubbs says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    Guys, If u’d read the box, you’d realise that it he wasn’t supposed to start talking until the start of the ODI series….

    I missed him talking on Australia Day, but he’s said a couple of things today (Feb 3rd)

  6. raena says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 4:47 pm

    Warnie has had a couple of things to say to us today — apparently the baked beans are kicking in, ‘bring back (something)’, and also told us to get the remote cause the cricket was starting. there may have been others but I haven’t been in the room all game.

  7. mollyfud (blog author) says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    Thanks guys for all the reports. Is it just my dolls or are the quality of the audio pretty ordinary?

    Tubbs, yes I was aware that they were only meant to work for the one dayers but the last two years it has done more and been so much better. As I stated last year was fantastic with Christmas, New Years, Melbourne Cup, etc, etc. I was hoping they would add Boony’s Birthday this year (well before I knew that Warnie had take over).

    Will be interested to see all the new sayings people hear. I hope to have something special in the next day or so from today. No Promisses.
    Molly

  8. Christina says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 5:09 pm

    Well, I am also extremely disappointed. He has said a few things today, we were only able to understand 1 of them so far which was “aah, I think the baked beans have kicked in”.

    Pretty crap compared to last years Boony and Beafy dolls which my kids are STILL playing will all the time - they love them!! Especially when they interact.

    I really hope that there is som kind of plug in or upgrade as some have suggested because at this stage I wish I hadn’t of wasted my money buying the doll (and the beer - ugh)

  9. agentsarah6 says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 5:49 pm

    @ Tubb - that was the problem to begin with. The shortened length of time to enjoy the figurine is one of the reasons why Warnie isn’t as good as the Boons or the Beefy.

    I’m logging what Warnie has been saying. So far it’s been hard to tell what he’s been saying as the speaker in the back of the unit isn’t all that good.

  10. Brent says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 7:18 pm

    The volume is just to low to hear what he is saying, you need to turn down the cricket to hear the doll, what a joke, not a patch on last years its a dudd VB hope you get back to audible audio next year.

  11. Brent says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 7:28 pm

    Hey, this its what on the VB site at the feedback area, yeah I bet its experiencing difficulties!

    Thanks for visiting the VB Warnie website.

    Feedback page is currently experiencing difficulties, if you have any questions regarding the site, you can call us on 1800 007 282.

  12. agentsarah6 says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 8:43 pm

    I’m going to check it out now. I can hardly hear my Warnie over the rain. I’m glad my Dad didn’t have to shell out $20 for his Warnie. We were one of the lucky winners (using a carton code).

    I bet you any money that the VB Warnie Feedback page is down because of an overwhelming demand. This is just not cricket.

  13. speak up says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    The sound from the Warnie figurine is too low for humans over 40, however my 2 working dogs love it.

  14. Brent says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 8:52 pm

    Where did they test these things? back at Maxwell Smarts code of silence maybe !

  15. mollyfud (blog author) says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    Thanks for all the comments. I am wondering if it is going to be better to have the doll (screw Warnie, its a doll not a figurine!) facing backwards to you so that you can hear the speaker better!
    Molly

  16. Brent says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    I can’t believe that they (whoever they are) go to so much trouble to put together a major promo and some goose fails to ensure that the damn doll can be heard.

  17. mollyfud (blog author) says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 9:15 pm

    I heard two comments passing rooms my two dolls are in:
    * Can’t bat Can’t Bowl (I perdicted this one, might have been more after this)
    * Run Forest Run (I think)
    Molly

  18. Neil says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 9:42 pm

    Mine seems to be speaking a different language. Can’t understand what it is saying, sounds like its been drinking too much VB and wants to sleep it off!!!

  19. agentsarah6 says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 10:40 pm

    Well mine has said…

    Oi! Hand me the remote, the cricket’s about to start! (during the coin toss)
    Look out boys. Here comes trouble.
    Give ‘em curry, boys!
    Scores going higher than my phone bill.
    Bring back Daryl (?)
    Yes! I think the baked beans just kicked in.
    Here’s to(for?) the good class. (?)(Clarkey?)
    *Kamahl voice* Why are people so unkind?
    Beats watching old blokes on the beach.
    Hey, Punter. Did your missus dress you this morning?

    But I can hardly hear what he says most times even if I’m sitting next to him with the speaker facing towards me…and I could’ve sworn I’d heard some of these before.

    And is Accure doing this campaign this time around…or someone else?

  20. mollyfud (blog author) says:

    Added on February 3rd, 2008 at 10:55 pm

    Accure are involved. I also read another part of marketing team got the sack after 23 odd years. Should be interesting.

    I can confirm a lot of the sayings and will hopefully have a treat for you all in the next day or so.
    Molly

  21. agentsarah6 says:

    Added on February 4th, 2008 at 10:31 am

    That would be George Patterson Y&R. They used to be attached to Foster’s on the marketing side of things but have been shafted. I think they are involved with the Warnie advertising campaign, though.

  22. Dazler says:

    Added on February 4th, 2008 at 1:41 pm

    Yes I too, like I guess all of you guys, and Many MANY more have been very dissapointed so far.
    After waiting seemingly for ever, to hear from “Talkin Warnie” (Or should I say mumbling Warnie?)
    He finally spoke yesterday afternoon for the first time as far as I’d heard. (I wasn’t home all day on Australia day)

    And, well, he wasn’t all that convincing, sounding a little muffled & distorted, hard to hear, and not loud enough..
    He said about 6 or 7 things that I caught mabie, and almost all of those I couldn’t quite hear.
    And this sounds like the universal opinion from owners so far that I’ve read about. We all want our money back.
    But won’t get it will we. Hmmm…. POOR Show VB…

    Bring back Boony I say, everyone loves Boony! …Or make a Talkin Gilly next year!?
    Anyway, good work Molly for trying to make sense of all this.

  23. mollyfud (blog author) says:

    Added on February 4th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

    Hey Dazler,
    Love the Gilly idea! Could be a winner for next year (if there is a next year). Don’t forget to check out Figurines rebuttal of the criticism here.
    Molly

  24. agentsarah6 says:

    Added on February 4th, 2008 at 4:16 pm

    Would love to see a Gilly. Think they could really go to town with the ears.

  25. Brent says:

    Added on February 5th, 2008 at 7:58 pm

    My one has not spoke at all today, unless I just havn’t heard him which is most likely the case! is that feedback section on the VB site still down, I havnt looked but I bet it is!

  26. wal says:

    Added on February 15th, 2008 at 8:14 pm

    The damn thing is crap.

  27. Brent says:

    Added on February 16th, 2008 at 11:32 am

    It is and even they VB seem to have dropped off on promoting it, seems you can get em for free even and I haven’t seen the little scroll on the bottom of the screen while the crickets on either.

  28. ChrisF says:

    Added on February 22nd, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    I too tried the feedback page at vbwarnie.com.au. Seems it has a terminal problen - So I’ve tried another tack - went to fosters.com.au, clicked on Contact Us. On the Contact page, there’s a link on the third line under the title to Ask Us a Question.

    I left the following message

    Start

    I can’t hear my VBwarnie and the feedback page at vbwarnie.com.au seems to be experiencing terminal difficulties.

    Where do I apply for a refund and return the dud vbwarnie?

    Thanks

    End

    Will keep you posted on progress

  29. Warnie's Hairy Back Shiela says:

    Added on February 29th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    WORST FIGURINE … EVER !!!!

    I am seriously contemplating smashing mine to smithereens with a sledgehammer. It will be the most enjoyment I get out of the useless mumbling incoherent piece of crap.

    Whoever’s responsible for this rubbish should be fired.

  30. Brent says:

    Added on March 2nd, 2008 at 10:29 pm

    Its so bad that this year on eBay they are selling box of 20 warnie dolls for 100 dollars and even a few of those auctions have passed by with no bids

  31. Brent says:

    Added on March 8th, 2008 at 7:42 am

    Well thats it for this years talking doll, worst one by far, I couldn’t quote one phrase that the thing said, a very poor promotion indeed. If there is a next year I hope they go back to the quality of the previous years, if not then don’t bother doing it.

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