Would Gemma Morrow Ride a Pink Motorcycle?
By Guest Blogger, Mary Schmidt, Marketing Troubleshooter, LLC
I’m addicted to Sons of Anarchy. As Stephen King noted, think “Sopranos on Motorcycles.” The matriarch of the rough, tough SOA motorcycle club is Gemma Teller Morrow. Of course, it’s fictional, and I’ve yet to see her ride…and somehow if she did, I don’t think it’d be on pink girlie cycle.
Headline: Harley unveils ‘Pink Label’ line of merchandise
Harley Davidson Inc. today unveiled its new Pink Label Collection of
merchandise to raise funds to help women who have been affected by
breast cancer…”We were inspired to create the Pink Label Collection by the countless
women riders and passengers that we’ve encountered on the open road and
at events who’ve been impacted by breast cancer,” said Kathy Whalen,
category manager of general merchandise for Milwaukee-based
Harley-Davidson. “We wanted to create something that honored their
personal journey, as well as let them know that they never have to ride
alone.”
Well, good for Harley – if they really are in tune with their customer base. But, I’ve got to wonder…how much pink can the brand stand before it loses its cult appeal?
As noted in an 2007 article,
A pink motorcycle is among the stars on parade this weekend at the
Westcoast Custom Motorcycle Show at Abbotsford’s Tradex Centre.That’s appropriate because big bikes are becoming increasingly popular with women, as well as older men who dominate the market.
Older men??? They like pink? Even if they do, I can’t see them buying a pink Harley. And, not all women like pink. Me? I hate the color, but I also don’t own a Harley (I do, however, have a fantasy of someday having a hog and hitting the road. Vrroommmm!)
Of course, Harley has done a slam-bang job thus far of maintaining their brand, with fiercely loyal customers. So, what do you think? Is there a limit when it comes to “marketing to women?”
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