From theslanket.com
The marketing hook for the suddenly-everywhere Snuggie is that its form-fitting coziness helps you keep down your home-heating bills. (O.K., that's only one hook: the ads also claim that ordinary blankets are too cumbersome and may, tragically, entrap your hands.)
There are a host of other blankets-with-sleeves (a.k.a. "robes") on the market, from the "original" Freedom Blanket to the socially conscious but awkwardly named Slanket. One upscale version, the Nuddle, even includes a pocket in front for your hands and another at the bottom for your feet (the Nuddle is so upscale that it doesn't have sleeves, it has slats).
Niche-marketed blankets didn't catch on last winter, when home heating costs skyrocketed with rising fuel prices.
So why now?
How did the Apollo astronauts get to the moon without these?
ResponderEliminarI don't think even Ron Popeil would use one of these.
With the housing bubble burst we could buy a trailer to wear our snuggies in for the same price.
Because people are sitting home unemployed watching commercials.
ResponderEliminarA fool and his/her money are soon parted.
ResponderEliminarhas anyone seen the youtube spoof of the snuggies commercial? ridiculously hilarious.
ResponderEliminarBecause this year we have more people out of work sitting at home watching TV. The idea of saving money now is a means of survival. It's purchasers will see it as a way to save big money.
ResponderEliminarI didn't see any evidence presented to show that they caught on this winter either. Just wear a jacket! How about those free heaters built by the Amish that use very little electricity? And watch out for Sham Wow imitators.
ResponderEliminarNever underestimate the power of a good name.
ResponderEliminarPerhaps it take about 1 year to develop, patent and start to market a product aimed at solving a problem such as skyrocketing home heating costs?
ResponderEliminarThe advertising for these and other odd-ball products picked up when mainstream ad revenue began to dry up so stations lowered rates allowing the "marginal" advertisers to roll in.
ResponderEliminarThe Snuggie ad has to be one of the best ads ever... When they show the family cheering on the bleachers at a sporting event, I just can't help but laugh thinking there is new type of cult sports following.
ResponderEliminarViral marketing--an oddball ad and its subsequent spread on youtube--is the simple answer to this.
ResponderEliminarI would buy one so I too could look like a Jedi.
ResponderEliminarI think that the ridiculousness of the ad has turned it into an Internet meme, sort of like a Rick Astley effect.
ResponderEliminarInfomercials or "direct marketers" have agreements with TV networks to air their programming when spots remain unsold, so advertising rates have nothing to do with it. It is just a lack of demand from mainstream advertisers.
ResponderEliminarI love the advert on the Snuggie website suggesting "you can snuggle your baby in your arms [while wearing a Snuggie]".
ResponderEliminarWhat kind of parent would leave their baby in the now poorly-heated household without a Snuggie?
Well, if Freakonomics posts about them, they have to be good, so now I want one! ;)
ResponderEliminarI must be the only person on earth who has not seen a Snuggie ad. Yet, I watch plenty of TV. What shows do they advertise on? Who's the customer?
ResponderEliminarPerhaps will the austerity ahead, the "monk look" is the new fashion trend. Bowl haircuts will be next.
ResponderEliminarI love my Snuggie, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Has it lowered my heating bills? Of course not. Do I look rather silly in it? Absolutely, especially when I stand up. But don't knock it til you try it, people. The heat in my house shuts off at 11 PM, and it can get a little chilly late at night. The Snuggie keeps me toasty while keeping my hands free to use the remote control or turn the pages of a book. It is, in a word, awesome, even if I do look like a Jedi.
ResponderEliminarSort of seems like the ShamWow or SlapChop of blankets.
ResponderEliminarI'll pass.
I just assumed it had something to do with a revival of the Heavens Gate cult.
ResponderEliminar@ KB
ResponderEliminarType "Snuggie" into the search bank on youtube.
There's a snuggie pub crawl:
ResponderEliminarsnuggiepubcrawl.com
fantastic.
I bought two - doing my part to save the economy through frivolous spending.
I don't know why they're suddenly everywhere, but I can say that the Slanket is VASTLY superior to the "Snuggie". The Slanket's fabric is much heavier and warmer, and the construction is of higher quality. Our only complaint about our Slanket is that we only bought one, and it's a cause of occasional... household disputes as to who gets to use it at any given time.
ResponderEliminarA long fleece bathrobe does the same thing as a Snuggie, and it also has that Obi Wan Kenobi vibe.
ResponderEliminarSnuggies have made an exceptionally big hit in Chicago as well.
ResponderEliminarCheck out the newest idea incorporating the Snuggie...
A SNUGGIE BAR CRAWL!
snuggiepubcrawl.com/
I know I'll be in attendance.
Two big fat cats and a German Shepherd puppy are way warmer than a Snuggie and you can take them to bed with you.
ResponderEliminarOf course you find yourself picking fur off your clothes a lot.
Oh, darn, didn't see Steven's comment; actually the snuggies do remind me of Sarastro's robe in Bergman's version of "The Magic Flute."
ResponderEliminar#11 is right - the product has hit the viral jackpot, mainly because of how ridiculous everyone looks when they wear them.
ResponderEliminarSoon they'll come out with the Deluxe Snuggie, that opens in the front instead of the back. ("Now with marginal dignity, practicality!") And they'll patent it, and sue every maker of bath robes.
ResponderEliminarHere's my idea: a sleeping bag with arm and leg holes. Snuggled up on the couch? Turtle yourself up by pulling your legs and arms inside. Need to use the remote to change the channel away from another Snuggie commercial? You can do that too!
ResponderEliminarBy the way, that's now my intellectual property, so don't go trying to beat me to the market!
The blue one makes me look like a wizard when I wear it.
ResponderEliminarAlso, my boyfriends roommate's aunt- (didn't realize how many degrees that was until just now; lets try again) my friend's aunt is the lady on the Snuggies box (the blonde one?). Exciting, I know. She wouldn't give us free Snuggies though, only offered to sign the box.
Would anyone wear this to bed... ,reminds me of those old military sleeping bags with arm and leg holes so if the enemy attacked you could run away.
ResponderEliminarRidiculousness of the snuggie aside, the question of why now and not last winter reminds me a recent conversation with friends. Even though gas prices have plummeted, you still hear people talking about saving money by driving less or better fuel efficiency. The high commodity prices that directly preceded the recession have had an mental impact that has lasted beyond the fall in their prices. There is always some lag between prices and behaviors, but I think the dramatic rise and fall of commodity prices combined with the immediate pressure to modify spending behavior have made people focus on issues like gas prices.
ResponderEliminarCool. I've been looking for some cheap monk robes for my halloween costume.
ResponderEliminarDemyl - I will be seeing you there. In my HOMEMADE Snuggie.
ResponderEliminarThere is also a Freedom Blanket pub crawl.
ResponderEliminarfreedomblanket.com
The original blanket with sleeves.
You can really save money if you make your own.
ResponderEliminarHere's the link to a pattern
sissonfamily.com/Sewingroom/images/2006projects/thesnuglet.pdf
You're wearing your robe backwards, dumb***!
ResponderEliminarIt's possible that it has taken a year for the good vibes of Snuggies to get around. The older generations view it as useful and buy it. After they use it, they get the feeling that all their kids and grandkids need one.
ResponderEliminarThe younger crowd will buy it for their friends as a joke (frankly, they are quite joke-worthy). However, the recipients actually use them and all their friends see how useful they are.
It may just take a year for them to circulate in large areas and gain the massive popularity.
The one who mentioned direct marketers getting more air time hit the nail on the head. There is more and more prime time airtime available and they're getting more exposure and interest. (Jokes about infomercials have also gone up, it seems). The biggest cause? Car advertisements have plummeted, and they usually make up a huge portion of prime time ads.
ResponderEliminarNPR did a segment on this the other day, I believe.
Ow... my brain...
ResponderEliminarSo why now? Must be for the nifty blue-LED reading light it's bundled with.
ResponderEliminarThis meme has definitely taken off, as illustrated by the aptly named
ResponderEliminarsnuggiesightings.com
So I seen these ridiculous things on TV I mean well if you can market them and people are buying them maybe that
ResponderEliminar