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Hi Wonder-
You have an awesome handle and seem like a nice guy...a favor (if you can)..please use a new acronym. It would be greatly appreciated. All the best and good luck in your trades/investments.
Hi Chief-
What are the other products? Are they 'next generation' items or similar to the current Drops and Enerjel roll-on?
Any/all opinions/insights are sincerely appreciated. Many thanks.
WW-
The sources of funds are: product sales, licensing deals, stock dilution and/or outside investment. So far, the least attractive of those has been the primary avenue, almost exclusively.
Why not show the world the presentation that they show to the personalities/athletes they approach? It is obviously effective and it might generate interest in the company, its current/future products and help raise $$$.
Fuse mgmt. has done well to get to this point - they simply need some space and breathing room, i.e. $$$, to move forward and capitalize on the opportunities they have created. It seems that the current path of intermittent PR's talking about abstract applications is not working...so I am hoping they transition to a more product specific strategy that can enthuse consumers, partners and the investment community.
Hi T-
Why wait for Xmas? Why not now, in the summer? If it is a good idea to partner/license - the sooner, the better, no?
I simply don't understand the logic of 'wait.' If there are tests to be done, why not announce that to the marketplace and generate interest in the stock and the technology? It would help them pay the bills, or so it seems.
As I posted earlier in the day, I really think the public needs to see a product road-map where Fuse is heading. Is it towards roll-on applications, more Drop products or what?
Any insights you can provide are sincerely appreciated. Thanks!
Thanks, Kyle...
That is easily found information...and I think you have the capabilities to find it.
Best of luck.
Hi Eagle-
I guess that is my point - we shouldn't have to dig...it would help to tighten the connection between research and product development.
We heard about Power Fuse and Electro Fuse for a long time before they came out...other ones have been hinted at, but it would help to do more than hint at this point.
Just my opinion...
We need to see how the research findings correspond to specific product development...not inferred market 'outreach,' because that is too thin to move the stock.
The current plan seems to be the 3 products + roll-on application research + macular's product...since the macular product is essentially a vitamin Drop, how about targeted Vitamin Drops?
Vitamin C, B and D are supplements that fly off the shelves...wouldn't require FDA approval or be considered medicinal, such as an Ibuprofen Drop, though that would be a great product as well.
Have been long for over two years and want the market to see what Tiger and his team saw when they were pitched on joining the Fuse team!
How about Shelby Miller of the St. Louis Cardinals? Looks like he needs Electro Fuse:
"Shelby Miller to change routine prior to next start
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(10:48 am ET) Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller, who was forced from Monday's start against the Cubs with a right calf cramp, said his leg was loosening after the game as the medical staff had him drink liquids to hydrate, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Miller said he didn't do "what I needed to to take care of myself," but added he plans to introduce more fluids and electrolytes into his routine before his next start, Saturday against the Rangers."
***
There are a lot of people who need Fuse's products and just don't realize it (yet)..!
Thanks, Rookie, for the kind words...I used to live in Germany - please have a beer for me...maybe two!
Prosst!
H-
That's very nice of you...and, remember, a lot of that is a page straight out of your playbook.
Thanks for kick-starting the conversation and caring enough to follow-through with Fuse...you are obviously a man of action and that will be to your eternal credit/benefit.
All the best.
H-
I am not a smart guy at all but I have done promotional work in and around sponsorships with athletes/properties and, like you, see a lot of promotional inventory that could be put to good use on behalf of the company and its products.
I would start with the lowest-hanging direct marketing fruit...
#1 Start a Powered by Fuse Newsletter - entice people to register by offering freebies (products, T-shirts and a grand prize - meet Big Papi, TW, Jose Bautista, Arian, etc.) The Newsletter could update subscribers to the careers of the endorsers, how they are using Fuse products and involve customer testimonials and feature the latest news of the company, its promotions and other related updates. One person could easily do this as it is simple desk-top publishing and there are all sorts of easy templates to work with and outside agencies that can assemble these...given the fact that there are so many athletes and great stories going on that Fuse is involved with, it would be fun and interesting...and would not cost anything beyond the time/labor to put it together. The point of it is at it would start a powerful direct marketing program for the company AND its partners, e.g. they could go to Dick's and say 'hey, we've got XYZ people on a newsletter and we can create Dick's specific programs to drive them into your stores in specific regions.' (Note: when people register, they give their email address and city they live in - no more - and are invited to opt-in, or opt-out, of promotional offers).
I would then move to a more ambitious partner-driven promo...
#2 Expand the promo concept to a high value partner...this is along your lines of 'an experience.' If it were me, I would call it 'Fuse Fantasy' where people could do things like hit a bucket of balls with TW, play H-O-R-S-E against Paul Pierce, have a business lunch with DJ, get a social media tutorial with Jonathan, etc...get some big ticket items and then take it to a retailer like Walgreens (or similar) in an EXCLUSIVE promotion and say, 'we want to bring great experiences to your customers that they can't get anywhere else.' This would enfranchise the retailer in the promotion and involve them in cross-promoting it, esp. if Fuse can bring some cool wrinkles via DJ to the table - as he is obviously (and for good reason) well connected and better respected. They could also bring this promo (or parts of it) to Amazon or eBay and run it in the e-tail sector.
I would also consider a random idea/stunt to get attention...
#3 What makes the Zoe thing interesting is the unique element of her endeavor...why not develop their own concept? For example, create a unique road-trip across country where the participants do fun lifestyle things like take part in local foot races (10K's), visit ball parks (see Jose Bautista, etc.), music festivals, special parties, whatever...along the way, the travelers would find reasons to use and distribute Fuse products and Fuse swag...taking pictures, filming bits and letting the social media aspect takeover...my advice would be to get two cars, paint the Fuse logo on each of them and name them The Fusemobile #1 and The Fusemobile #2 (like NASCAR, maybe put logos of Enerjel, P-Fuse and E-Fuse on them as well)...and then find fun candidates (guys and girls) to take a road-trip - maybe 3 people in each car. Simply script an itinerary, sending one group East to West and the other West to East...they meet at some point in the middle for a couple of days/activities/fun and communicate with one another along the way. Most important, they would solicit the public, i.e. ask followers, to give them tips on where to go and things to do...they would meet up with special "Friends of Fuse," e.g. celebrity endorsers, along the way...a bit of the Amazing Race meets Mardi Gras with some athletics and entertainment thrown in...a lifestyle deal...
Just some ideas...the above 3 would cost a little bit of $$$, but not that much. I think I could put together the above 3 programs (strictly the promotional execution) for less than 300K (maybe far less) - and the ROI could be huge (and over many months). A lot, of course, depends on what items they do have in their inventory, e.g. will their endorsers do things that are requested, and (esp. with respect to #2), what it would cost to manufacture, distribute and stock merchandise (and relevant support materials) for the scope of the program that was developed. Obviously, for the purposes of this post - that is all unknown...
The one thing that we should all be aware of is that promotions can only succeed if supported...in other words, great ideas die unless there are resources to activate and perpetuate them...
Have a nice weekend. Go Tiger! Go Fuse!
Hi H-
Thanks for the response. I will get back later on today - have to run out for a while...I agree that it would be nice to activate our celebrities on behalf of our products...maybe if we all put our heads together, we can come up some good ideas...
H-
Nice to correspond...the WWE thing is run by an outfit called Charity Buzz and the promotion is directly tied to the NYC Mayor's Office and The NJ Governor's office. Most important, the $$$ doesn't go to a private concern (WWE), but to charitable ends that have their paperwork filed with state/federal authorities. The WWE is nothing more than the brand/property donating the inventory upon which the promotion is based...and Charity Buzz is the administrator.
For Fuse or any brand to run a promotion in conjunction with a consumer spending money, or investing resources which constitute an unreasonable investment into resources in order to enter, would be considered a lottery - and only states can run those. This is why at the top of every Sweepstakes rules, it says 'No Purchase Necessary.'
Many Internet based promotions (enter by email), for example, also have 'enter by mail' options to make sure that they are giving people every reasonable chance to enter and not prejudice the promotion towards only those w/ computer access.
Right now, on a current Coke promo, here is the language on the 'free method of entry.'
Free Method of Entry: During any Individual Sweepstakes Period, hand print your name, address, phone number, My Coke Rewards username (email address), age, and the title of the sweepstakes you wish to enter (as set forth on the list of "Sweepstakes") on a 3" x 5" piece of paper and mail it in an envelope with proper postage to "2013 My Coke Rewards Sweepstakes – Free Entry" and write the title of the sweepstakes that you wish to enter on the envelope, c/o ePrize, Inc., P.O. Box 5996, Dept. 580902, Kalamazoo, MI 49003-5996. For each mailed-in entry, you will receive 1 entry into the individual sweepstakes indicated on your entry card and envelope. Limit: 1 entry per envelope. All mail-in entries must be handwritten, become the exclusive property of Sponsor, and none will be acknowledged or returned. Proof of sending or submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by Sponsor. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible, illegible, misdirected or postage-due entries, which will be disqualified. All mail-in entries must be postmarked and received by the dates set forth in the details of each individual 2013 My Coke Rewards Sweepstakes accessed from the "Sweepstakes" section of the Website.
For All Entries: Limit: Each participant may submit up to 100 entries per calendar day across all individual 2013 My Coke Rewards Sweepstakes by any method or combination of methods of entry, and allocate those entries as he/she wishes (e.g., 30 entries in each of 3 of the individual sweepstakes and 10 entries in a 4th, totaling 100). Any attempt by any participant to obtain more than the stated maximum number of entries by using multiple/different My Coke Rewards Accounts, email addresses, identities, registrations and logins, or any other methods will void that participant's entries and that participant may be disqualified from the 2013 My Coke Rewards Sweepstakes and any of the Sponsor's other promotions. Any use of robotic, repetitive, automatic, programmed or similar entry methods or agents (including, but not limited to, sweepstakes entry services) will void all entries by that entrant. When a participant redeems points to enter a 2013 Sweepstakes, he or she will need to have a valid physical address linked to his or her Account. If a participant does not provide a physical address when required, or if his or her email address is deemed to be invalid, Sponsor reserves the right not to invalidate the entry, and/or to lock Enrollee's Account, in its sole discretion.
***
You can find the entire rules by visiting the link belw and then clicking on the rules link next to where it says 'No Purchase Necessary.'
http://www.mycokerewards.com/sweepstakes/vip-coke-zero-400-prize-package-including-a-2014-chevrolet-camaro-2ls--trip-for-2-to-the-coke-zero-400/27366
H-
The FTC and state AG's would look at a 'pay to enter' sweepstakes or contest as a lottery, where the purchase of a product was deemed as 'consideration' - and companies cannot run lotteries, esp. on a national scale. So, companies can't run contests and sweepstakes that require a cash purchase to enter and exclude those who do not pay money for the chance to win something that has value. This is why there are always 'free' ways to enter sweepstakes and contests when you look at the rules to a specific promotion.
Promotion law is a tangled area, but what you describe is definitely considered illegal...it would be nice, however, to conduct more promotions that involve those personalities you mention...just a simple submit your name/email to meet a Fuse athlete would lead to a great email list to sell products, etc.
I would recommend that they they do a sweeps to merchandise an experience with one of their athletes, or to an event with a few of them, where the entrants subscribe to a free Fuse newsletter and they can send out weekly newsletters to these subscribers with various promo information, etc...this is a very common thing that many brands do...in those newsletters, they can offer all sorts of merchandise for sale - there is a high conversion rate, i.e. sales.
Thanks, J.D., for the follow-up...much appreciated. All the best.
Thanks for posting the link, Take...
Hi Take-
Could you please expand on this? Where is the article? Any/all information and/or observations would be appreciated.
Thanks!
For everyone who reads this board, please heed Griff's experience...check your body - even between the toes and places that do not see the sun - for any suspicious mark, mole, bump of odd looking freckle. Have your spouse/significant other look at places you can't see on your back, etc.
Your skin is your largest organ and melanoma travels to other parts of the body quickly. Early detection, as in Griff's case, is the best defense.
Go Fuse!
Hi Griff-
Very sorry to hear about your melanoma...don't have it myself, but know several people who have had it, including some who didn't beat it...it is a very dangerous, predatory disease.
You probably know this, but for those who don't - make sure your sunscreen is 'Broad Spectrum' - and be sure to get the back of the neck, top of the ears, hands and fingers, too.
Thanks, J.D.
I really appreciate it - and look forward to what you hear. All the best to you and yours,
Hi J.D.-
That's awesome - please ask the buyer what they think about the product, the category and how they think it will do over the next 6 months.
If you are looking for other ideas, maybe ask about the presentation that Fuse made to them and what was persuasive about it...and whether or not there are other products and targeted promotions in the pipeline.
Sorry about all the suggestions...but thanks in advance for anything you care to share with the board. Have a great weekend. All the best.
Hi Chief-
I'd like to add that Fuse has obviously demonstrated to the new retail partners/distributors that they have compelling products and the ability to supply the chain.
One question - when does Q3 begin for them, in June? I know they are on a different calendar year, i.e. it doesn't begin in January.
Thanks for any/all insights. All the best, too.
R-
I think you are correct.
Cheers,
-S
Hi Reuben-
That is awesome! If you don't mind me asking, what makes you say/write that?
Thanks for any thoughts/speculation/conjecture...I am extremely positive myself - and it's always nice to hear from other optimists.
All the best,
Swankp
Hi York-
I am with you on that...who is the "_______" to whom you refer?
Hi York-
Keep doing what you do!
Thanks.
Hi Wall-
I like your posts a lot...you are obviously a good person (smart, too)...I am sure you are a tremendous professional and know that we are lucky you are here.
Many thanks for your contributions to the board. All the best.
Hi T-
I agree...not always sure what 'Long' is saying - he is a bit like a character from a Mark Twain piece - which is intended as a big compliment (Twain is one of the greatest humorists, if not the absolute greatest, of all time).
We have a good board here - and I'm glad that nice guys like 'Long' and 'JohnCM' have shown up to add to it.
All the best.
Use 'MRay' on the Fuse website for 20% off...
It's too easy to beat ourselves up w/ guesswork - but I think with products looking for widespread adoption, strategy trends more towards the obvious ways of getting traction/acceptance.
So, given all the promotional assets (TW, JBautista, MRay, etc.) that Fuse has, someone like DJ can galvanize them around a basic retail support strategy. Most important, with his credibility and track record, he can make it happen. Would be an honor to work with him...
Hi Panther-
I think that mid-April represents a time frame that will have given DJ a sufficient amount of time to work within his network (since he got involved) with an eye to leverage the anticipation around The Masters.
Further, baseball starts in April, so this month gives Fuse a lot of arrows in its quiver. DJ is a great voice in any room. I wish we could all hear what advice he is dispensing.
I don't have any inside information - these are just my opinions.
All the best.
Hi K-
I think the important thing is that he has prominently associated himself with Fuse - and made it clear that he is enthusiastic about the company and, especially, to work with them moving forward on getting the product into retail points of sale.
He is no neophyte, but a proven commodity in the business world...and knows that by making public claims that there is an expectation of follow-through.
DJ's involvement is a great development - the best since signing TW. Let's wait and see what the next several weeks bring. My guess is that we will know a lot more by mid-April.
All the best.
You are welcome - not sure if you have seen some of the stuff that Michelle Ray has done for the brand in the past, but she is a top-notch spokesperson for the products and that is her promo code.
Have a great weekend.
I have only bought via the company website and use the promo code of mray - which gets you 20% off your purchase...so the total price, after discount + shipping, is $13.98 for one bottle of Enerjel.
Thanks again for all of your posts.
Hi John-
I like your posts and analysis...please keep it up. I also like the pool image in your posts - it looks like one that belonged to W.R. Hearst and family.
There is a great documentary out right now called "Citizen Hearst" that covers his life and media empire - would like to have a guy like him on board to help promote Fuse Science - he would be a great complement to DJ.
Have a nice weekend.
Hi Reuben-
I like your optimism...and that of Rick and the rest, too. Looking forward to the next several weeks and months...am hoping that I owe Shore an Underberg belt at some point soon!
Hi Shore-
I've seen a couple of other products, but very infrequently. Underberg is, by far, the dominant player, certainly in Germany. If you have a German restaurant in your town, or near there...maybe dine there one evening and cap it all off with an Underberg.
If Fuse hits big, I will travel to Germany and buy you a belt with a full stock of Underberg for being such a positive person on the forum!
As they say in Deutschland: 'zum wohl!'
Hi Shore-
It's not a beer - but a "digestif" - something that is consumed after a big meal...it is a herb-based alcohol - not too strong and very flavorful. I've seen it sipped and chugged down like a shot, which is the way I consume it.
It is pretty awesome stuff, actually...esp. after you've had a big German meal of meat, potatoes and beer. I have found that it both aids digestion and arrests the food coma feeling that you can get. It is not a drink where you have multiple 'shots' - just one - nor is it a 'party' beverage. It is very much an establishment product.
In Bavaria, I have seen the belt around peoples' waists and also at the register...it is also able to be ordered throughout the country as a 'table service' item.
With respect to Fuse, I think an inventive point-of-sale (POS) design could feature accessible DROP products where they are attached to something that hangs from a hook - and the individual DROP products are either slid into sleeves or something similar where a consumer can easily grab one. Of course, it could also be a plastic cone shaped device that sits on a counter-top and the individual DROP products are slid into small holes for access (either buying or restocking)...it could even spin around.
The only problem, of course, is that the individual units could be easily stolen...but if it is in close proximity to the cashier, then they would not be easy to steal.
On a personal note, I once met an Underberg family member by coincidence in Switzerland...a nice person.
All the best.
I was wrong - Underberg is not on a string, but on a belt:
http://www.underberg.com/en/service-and-shop/shop/the-original-underberg-belt.html
Obviously, they shouldn't put it on a belt, but maybe a sturdy nylon type of material with Tiger and/or other endorsers on it. Since the nylon would be flexible, it could hang/drape almost anywhere...they only need to put a hook on one end.
I will send the idea to IR just for the heck of it.