Why is Hasbro hyping up the Royal Wedding episodes so much?

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

Skimming through EQD yesterday, I was surprised to see that Hasbro is actually planning to publish an actual, full page advertisement in tomorrow's edition of the New York Times in a bid to encourage adults to watch it (because little girls actually read the New York Times).

 

Why is Hasbro hyping this up so much? What can they achieve by advertising a children's show on an adult newspaper? Will people besides adults like us even care?

 

Not sure what Hasbro is trying to do here...

 

I'd say they're doing it because of...

 

 

FUN!

 

 

[Queen Cassie 3,057]

Quite honestly, the level of hype for the season finale bothers me. I understand why they're doing it, for the sake of various things including making it clearer to a wider audience the sort of audience the show has, the benefits for Hasbro's toy line, etc. I even understand it can be interpreted as meaning that Season Three will be a full season, since it seems like a bit of a waste to expend this much effort only to cancel the show less than a year later.

 

It bothers me because I don't like seeing things hyped. I'm a bit of a hipster that way...hype tends to make me disinterested, annoyed even, because as so often happens, when something is overhyped, said something ends up failing to live up to expectations. I would prefer not to go into watching the season finale with the expectation that it will be the best thing since sliced bread and buttered toast. I do not wish to find myself disappointed as a result. I've been burned by this in the past. Kingdom Hearts II, for example, is a game I still am barely able to enjoy because I spent so much time prior to its coming out spoiling myself over every little thing--I even watched the cutscenes in Japanese with English subtitles when the game came out in Japan. Being as I like Friendship is Magic more than I ever did Kingdom Hearts, the last thing I want to do is be disappointed.

[Arylett Charnoa 4,919]

I like the hype, actually. Though at times hype annoys me, this is a different type of hype in my opinion. It feels almost as if the company is verifying the quality of the show, and telling us that it's okay to watch it. I like that they're reaching out more for an adult demographic. Also, I feel excited by this hype and like I can jump onto it. It feels more real in that sense, like it's just this big party event that I'm going to be a part of.

 

Anyway, the reason they're hyping? As many have said - for the adult demographic, of course. I think they've finally realized the potential of this show, and they're keeping their periphery demographic in mind.

[ΞMorningstar 77]

Speaking of hyping it up, everypony notice the commercials with Tori Spelling stating she's hosting the wedding?

 

Yeah, Tori is TOTALLY a Brony. (or just doing it for her kids)

[FlutterGurl 1]

Maybe the episode is gonna be spectacular (Like all the others, of course)

[Dreadmallon 353]

Silly XX5XX, the answer is quite simple. The two part season finale episodes are going to be greater than most of the other glorious MLP episodes.

[Daring Do 195]

Well, maybe they finally realized the target audience has shifted to an older age, what with the brony community. With that said, maybe they find it more likely that adults will be appealed to watch the show, or maybe will encourage their kids to watch it.

[Eenohay 318]

To be honest If I werent a brony, but knew about them, and then suddenly I saw a full page advert in the New York Times, I'd be atleast a little intrigued

[Jibbs93 64]

I think they're trying to mirror the hype that surrounded the British Royal Wedding in a humorously intriguing sort of way.

[Celestial Sloth 369]

I think they're trying to mirror the hype that surrounded the British Royal Wedding in a humorously intriguing sort of way.

 

That's what I always thought. Except, this wedding is actually important.

Really, I do not understand all the hype on Will and Kate. It's not like our royal family accomplishes anything, they're just kind of... there.

[Miles Rarity Edgeworth 76]

I guess theyre hyping it up a bit but hey its the season Finale, There are exceptions.

[DrOphthalmos 497]

I think they're trying to mirror the hype that surrounded the British Royal Wedding in a humorously intriguing sort of way.

 

I think you are right. I read somewhere that Tori Spelling co-hosted the British Royal Wedding on E! and that may be why she is hosting the MLP Royal Wedding. Though, I am having trouble finding confirmation of that - instead I keep finding articles that she threw a "Royal Wedding Sleepover Party." I guess Tori Spelling is just known for liking Royal Weddings.

 

Btw, any of you California bronies attend this?

 

Tori will be the host of the "bridle" shower (oh boy) at the Tea House in Culver City, California on April 14

 

Hmmmm... since it already passed, I tried looking up this event. Seems like it was a private affair. Here's one link I found: http://www.derpyhoovesnews.com/the-tea-house-royal-wedding-party/

[Emerald Flame 381]

They want high ratings for the special, so they're hoping to get as many people intrigued as possible. Parents of girls who like the show, parents of girls who don't watch the show yet, and a few adults curious about why ponies are so popular on the internet.

 

They also want to increase interest in the upcoming Royal Wedding toyline. If more girls see the event on tv, they'll want the toys even more. If more parents see the event on tv, they may be more likely to buy the toys for their kids.

[Lightningchaser 13]

I can tell you in one word money

[SBaby 660]

I'm telling you, it's because of the toy line. Hasbro has a history of hyping things up to sell more toys.

 

They did this with Transformers (the animated movie, the Transmetals, etc...), and they've done it before with MLP in previous generations (like in the Movie).

 

Granted, they probably won't replace the mane 6 outright or anything extreme like that, but they might throw some other major thing into the show, like new characters.

Edited April 15, 2012 by SBaby

[butter scotch 79]

Just to make moar monies to fuel heavy killing machine and buy sandviches for africa and scotland?!?

[Simcity11100 772]

You know how many people attend actual royal wedding's? Ton's of people, and they want it to be as accurate to a real royal wedding, so that's why they advertise a whole bunch.

[Yellow Diamond 7,569]

If you can attract more potential viewers now, just imagine what the season premiere for the third season will be like.

 

Hasbro is definitely expanding its marketing base beyond little girls---otherwise, they wouldn't buy advertising space in the New York Times or hire Tori Spelling to "cover" the royal wedding. In fact, this is the first time that they have truly acknowledged in such an overt public fashion that there is a large segment of their audience comprising adults. Should this build up pay off, we could be looking at merchandise of a higher quality (e.g., plushies, more DVD releases) than plastic toys recolored for each pony.

 

When one considers what this event could mean for the entire MLP franchise, built on the current incarnation, it is quite exciting!

Edited April 15, 2012 by Thereisnospoon303

[Mare in the Moon 173]

I like the hype. "Any publicity is good publicity".

 

When I saw that article talking about the coming NYTimes article, I was like "No way. Thats funny. Wonder what people are gonna think about that."

 

Still cant wait to see it lol (the episode, and the article)

[Shankveld 4,949]

It's the motherbuckin' season finale !!!!

~

[RazzyJam 1,519]

Because ponies is epic, was there ever any doubt?

[Guest]

I want the UK to take offense from this.

My Little Pony shall start WWIII...

[Inactive01 5,299]

This royal wedding will parallel that of the marriage of William and Kate. Therefore, the intense advertising will parallel that of said wedding.

[Dark Qiviut 22,396]

They're doing this for several reasons.

 

1. To bring a bigger and wider female demographic into the series. Hasbro has been promoting MLP:FIM as a series for girls, and the aggressive advertising is a method to invite the parents and their daughters into viewing the show.

 

2. To invite a bigger demographic, period. MLP:FIM is the most popular show on The Hub by far. The revenue gains attention to The Hub, which in turn gives Hasbro attention, which therefore gives them money. The more viewers, the more money goes to the network and Hasbro. The advertising is partially designed in hope to increase the viewership and make the marathon during Valentine's Day weekend look miniscule in comparison.

 

3. To poke fun at the hype the Royal Wedding in the U.K. The Royal Wedding was promoted globally. Hasbro and The Hub are aggressively promoting it as a method to compare it to the Royal Wedding from the U.K.

 

4. The biggest reason: to sell toys. The more people watch the show, the more the kids want to buy My Little Pony toys, and the more the parents will go out and spend the toys for their kids to play with. Hasbro wants to sell and promote their products, and the season finale's Royal Wedding spoof gives them the leeway to do so.

[Captain Marvelous 544]