tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7971334156485110165.post7551554951380273005..comments2024-03-29T07:50:49.277+00:00Comments on Paper Lovestory { a lifestyle blog from a university student about stationery and organisation }: the future of Filofax - an open letter to Helena Bloomer of Slam PRangelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08613327806303719974noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7971334156485110165.post-65786559743112588932012-09-21T14:10:30.636+01:002012-09-21T14:10:30.636+01:00This is all excellent, I completely agree and am v...This is all excellent, I completely agree and am very saddened by what they're doing. I will probably by the 2013 diary inserts because they do work the best for me, but I'll not be buying another organiser and all other inserts I will be going elsewhere... or using yours ;) @quietmorning xZoehttp://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s480x480/375864_347515845340577_37046883_n.jpgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7971334156485110165.post-34818250744101075532012-09-20T18:58:38.989+01:002012-09-20T18:58:38.989+01:00I know you weren't :) Just worried my reply wa...I know you weren't :) Just worried my reply was too blunt hehe. And I completely hear you as a fellow fashion lover. I think people like us prove the Filofax marketing strategy wrong. We love fashion and using Filofaxes but don't like how they have combined the two. <br /><br />Hopefully they will listen to us all about all of our concerns xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04100315517570378656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7971334156485110165.post-51283133215251794562012-09-20T16:43:56.107+01:002012-09-20T16:43:56.107+01:00No apologies necessary. And I'm not arguing wi...No apologies necessary. And I'm not arguing with your post, hence why I said it upsets me is that the PR company didn't take the time to find authentic brand advocates to work with. Miss Whoever You Arehttp://www.misswhoeveryouare.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7971334156485110165.post-73353556366642183462012-09-20T11:23:25.766+01:002012-09-20T11:23:25.766+01:00I realise that the gifting thing is quite commonpl...I realise that the gifting thing is quite commonplace when it comes to fashion items (clothes, bags, etc) but for a smaller brand like Filofax, I find this ridiculous. When fashion brands gift their items, they gift it to people who blog about that topic - but when Filofax gave the Temperley ones away for free, they gave them to fashion bloggers - people who have not blogged about Filofax in the past. Now, I know I sound a bit bitter here, but surely, they should have levelled the playing field and at least gifted some to some Filofax bloggers too, namely Philofaxy, Plannerisms, etc. instead of sending them to be reviewed and requesting that they be sent back?<br /><br />I get that they are trying to tap into another market but they seem to be doing so at the cost of their other market - hardcore users who don't care about catwalk looks. Like you said, the Facebook page is constantly posting about these looks and though I do love fashion, I liked the Filofax page for Filofax news, not fashion news. That is why I read Vogue and Elle online!<br /><br />With regards to the new Temperley range, having seen them give out the organisers for free, I don't see the point in anyone paying for one, esp. pre-existing users because this is how our loyalty is valued? We spend money on organisers and refills for them to use these profits to gift organisers to people who are new users. Fair enough but why not reward these loyal users at the same time?<br /><br />Anyway, personally, my last penny has been spent with Filofax. I did pay for a Temperley Filofax but unfortunately, it had ring problems so had to go back. Now, I am feeling quite glad it had those problems and that I managed to get a refund. And I have learnt from that mistake and will not be buying from the new Temperley range or any of their other organisers or binders again. It's not just the Temperley range that annoys me, it's also that they do not listen to their customers. People have screamed for better quality inserts, a wider range of inserts, better quality ring mechanisms, etc and we have not been listened to. If anything, our feedback has been brushed under the carpet!<br /><br />So yes. Having realised how simple it is to make my own inserts, I will no longer be buying refills. And there are other alternatives out there too - Franklin Covey, Daytimer, Quo Vadis, etc. And it will be the alternate brands which will see an increase in business as more and more of this loyal user base migrate. <br /><br />Hopefully Filofax will have listened to all this and at least move in a direction where fashion and functionality can co-exist but for now, it feels like fashion is being concentrated on and functionality and quality is being ignored.<br /><br />(Apologies if any of my comment came across as blunt, it was not meant to be perceived that way!)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04100315517570378656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7971334156485110165.post-27464901916028792442012-09-20T05:25:05.507+01:002012-09-20T05:25:05.507+01:00I must say I'm a little torn about this situat...I must say I'm a little torn about this situation primarily because I am a fashion blogger AND Filofax lover/consumer. <br /><br />1. I think it's ridiculous for SLAM PR to completely shift the brand focus to the fashion world. Not only because fashion is fickle but because you're then alienating core consumers (as previously stated by yourself and other bloggers)<br /><br />2. I don't get upset at them gifting Filofax products to bloggers because this has become standard practice in the online space (especially in the US and in fashion where bloggers are being gifted clothing, handbags, shoes -- you name it -- by PR companies/ designers). What does upset me is that the PR company didn't take the time to find authentic brand advocates to work with. I've seen a few fashion bloggers post about Filofax and some look ridiculous showing off their outfit while holding a Filofax. It just screams sponsored and fake.<br /><br />3. Will I stop buying Filofax? Probably not. I won't lie, in the past I've wished that some of their products "look better" because if I'm going to be carrying it around with me, why not have it match my fashion sense. I am, after all, a woman who works in the fashion industry (not only as a blogger but professionally as well). Has that ever stopped me from purchasing them in the past? No, because I value the products. <br /><br />I think Filofax just needs to rein it in and realize that their core consumer doesn't really want to connect with the fashion world to write notes. Take a look at their Facebook page and you'll see content about London Fashion Week and people simply do not care. It doesn't make sense for the brand. They need to go back and rethink their overall brand strategy, or find a PR and marketing agency that understands this and can properly execute. <br /><br />Miss Wheover You Arehttp://www.misswhoeveryouare.comnoreply@blogger.com