10 replies to this topic

[Chief of SIS]

I was thinking about this today. Advertising in films is now bigger than ever. And though Bond has long been associated with certain brands, the auxiliary advertising in films has become huge. Now my question is, as Bond fans has it worked on you? Have you augmented your purchases based on what you've seen on screen? Have you bought Tom Ford or now reached for a Heineken instead of a different beer? In practice, we are the films' targets: the die-hard fans. What purchases have you made because in Bond we trust?


I'm a college student. And my wallet doesn't support the Bond lifestyle. As simple as that. However, Astons in reality are overpriced for their value but because of Bond, I'd buy one if the money was around.

Edited by Chief of SIS, 09 May 2012 - 10:33 PM.

[Matt_13]

I credit the purchase of my Vaio laptop to Casino Royale. That's pretty much the only time they've really gotten me. It's a damn fine computer, by the way. Good thread idea.

[Pussfeller]

I first tasted Campari as a result of OHMSS. I love that stuff.

[Miles Miservy]

Nope...
Both my Aston Martins, my Lotus Esprit and my BMW Z3 were all bought on on a whim. Quite the coincidence.

[thecasinoroyale]

As most of us would, I would love an Aston Martin DBS.


Back to reality, after watching 'GoldenEye' when I was 12 in 1997 (too young for the cinema in 1995!) I loved his watch...fast forward to my 21st birthday in 2006 and my parents bought me the Omega Seamaster Professional watch that I still wear and adore today and consider the pinnacle of how Bond has influenced me over just loving the films, his style is impeccable!

[AMC Hornet]

I bought a POS car when I was 19, after seeing one like it in TMWTGG. I won't say what brand, but it was made by America's #4 auto manufacturer (which has since been acquired by Chrysler).

I quit smoking yonks ago, but I still have my gunmetal case and lighter (I think Bond must be the reason I started in the first place). More importantly, I have a genuine GG replica now - my holy grail of memorabilia.

Don't drink martinis meself, but when I'm buying vodka I choose Smirnoff.

I've always liked my bubbly, so I've tried Moet, Taittinger and Bollinger and found that I like Bolly the least (never liked chardonnay wines). There are affordable brands of caviar to be found here and there.

I've tried Red Stripe since it became available in the great white north; good brew.

Never sprung for Brioni or TF, but I do have a white dinner jacket and hand-knotted black bowtie (with no cheater), plus several pairs of cufflinks.

Las Vegas has gotten its share of me on three occasions.

Got a cool set of rectangular poker plaques (imitation mother-of-pearl) that I wouldn't have cared about if I hadn't seen James handling something similar.

When I win the lottery I'll get a Lotus Esprit and a Glastron GT 150.

...And I eat KFC on Tuesdays - does that count?

[Dustin]

No, hasn't worked on me. I started smoking when I was 14 because of Bond. But I quickly dropped the habit after a few years again. Vodka to me is tasteless alcohol, ice doesn't ever come close to my single malt or bourbon and at my age I don't care much for fashion's changing follies, so now I only replace items that have seen the end of their service life, and then I stick to my own brands.

A few years ago I bought a new wristwatch. By now I can afford a Rolex or Omega, but the simple fact is that these days they are mainly worn by people who'd drown in a handbasin or outright pimps. Or were bought from some fly-pitcher for $ 20,-. I belong to none of these target groups, and as I was no longer an active athlete a sports watch also would have been somewhat ludicrous in my case. I was a bit surprised myself that the idea of buying a "Bond watch" left me cold. I finally purchased a seldom-seen discrete and reliable model that has not let me down in seven years. If I ever have to replace it I will probably look for the same model again, or even go with a manual wind watch on a leather strap.

Cars I have driven numerous brands and models, at the moment and for the forseeable future a MINI Clubman. If I could choose any model and make - without regard for funds, space and amenities - I'd probably go for an MX-5 or an old Defender. The Japanese roadster comes closest to the Lotus Elan, the Defender is practically indestructible as far as dog attacks to the interior are an item, my main concern in these matters. Instead of a Bentley or Aston extravaganza I'd rather buy a sailing boat.

[AMC Hornet]

Instead of a Bentley or Aston extravaganza I'd rather buy a sailing boat.

Spirit?

[Simon]

Good question.

Very quickly though, there appears to be a split between what is understood to be brands 'mentioned' in the books or early films without tie-in status for cross marketing, and the brands that have specifically been brought in to augment the film budget.

In this case, there is a difference between Brioni suits and Red Stripe. So, what has been bought as a result of deep Bond literary and film knowledge, and the brands that have been very specifically marketed to us.

For my part, I m not sure any of it has worked on me even though I have been curious about it all. That said, vodka martinis of indeterminate brands have been tried.

[Dustin]

Instead of a Bentley or Aston extravaganza I'd rather buy a sailing boat.

Spirit?

A dream, but also a nightmare for a single-hander.

[Messervy]

Good question.
I actually tasted Bollinger when I was younger as a result of my being a Bond fan. So, if I stick today to Bollinger because I love it, I did try it first because of Bond.

That's pretty much it. I have an Omega Seamaster 300M GMT, but that's mainly because I love watches (I have various ones) and this one happens to be great. The fact that it's a Bond watch is just a side-effect to my choice.

Other than that, I like to have things that remind me of Bond because of the mood they put me in when I use them (such as a silver Dunhill lighter for my cigars) even if they're not strictly Bond-related.