B&M 101- Trying to make my homework more interesting...

[BrownStreak]

I have an assignment for my Intro to Marketing class where we have to find a product that was an "early innovator," i.e. coming up with something new and maintaining a market lead for awhile thereafter. Examples from the assignment include Red Bull, TiVo, and I-pod.

 

I am attempting to write my paper on the B&M Inverted Coaster. It is a concept they came up with and still 15+ years later they are on top of that style of coaster. This idea matches most of the requirements as I can identify a few competitors which have since launched similar "products:" Vekoma, Intamin, and one of the Italian firms. I can identify which stage the "product" is in its Sales life (Late Market- based on a chart in our book and the fact that by now smaller "major" parks are starting to get them and the fact that their hypers are starting to take-over to compete with Intamin.

 

Okay- so I have all of that but I need to cite at least three sources in my paper beyond my own knowledge, and I have a professor who does not like us citing the internet much.

 

One other thing, if anyone knows of somewhere online where I can find the original 1992 Batman- the Ride Promotional material that is something I need to look at too...Shane?

 

Thank you for anyone that can help!

[ebl]

^ The original Batman--The Ride opened at Six Flags Great America. Perhaps you could contact them and see what they have to offer? The worst you'd get is a "no." Of course, it's been 16 years, so...

 

"...and one of the Italian firms." Zamperla? I don't know about inverted, but they did a flyer. Also, remember that Giovanola did one in South Africa.

 

Best of luck on your project.

 

Eric

[robbalvey]

"...and one of the Italian firms." Zamperla?

I think he's talking about Pinfari. They did an Inverted portable coaster. You can get info here:

http://www.rcdb.com/ir.htm?model=10

 

And pictures Bat Coaster here:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/photo.php?pageid=179&linkid=1811

 

and don't forget about Satori's (another Italian company) epic failure Cobra:

http://www.rcdb.com/pd198.htm

 

Photos of Cobra:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/photo.php?pageid=396&linkid=3519

[thrillgeek]

Doing this on the Batman clones is a great idea! Good luck with this man. ^What happened for that Cobra ride to only be open less than a month??? It sucked that bad?

[haux]

Whoa. What the heck happened to all the posts from this thread?

 

Anyway, I suggested possibly looking at where the inverted coaster got its beginnings -- in the suspended coaster. If you can, get a copy of Scott Rutherford's "The American Roller Coaster." I believe that's got some history on coasters, and that probably mentions suspendeds and then inverteds.

[BrownStreak]

Amusement Today is "quoteable" and its online...I can use the manufacturers' website, so I just need one more source. Note- it can be online but it has to be "reputable" meaning I can't cite a chat room or public forum.

[BrownStreak]

I definately want to thank Robb for the information that you provided. I was able to cite B&M's website, Amusement Today, the ACE Landmark Records, and a youtube commercial link. This was not as easy as it seemed that it would be! But Thanks again for your little bit of info which at least allowed me to discuss "the competition."

[mcjaco]

I guess TPR can be educational, over entertaining.