El Presidente Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 Arrived back this morning to find a Habanos s.a Questionaire to fill out and return. I assume it has gone out to all distributors for feedback. Posting it for member information. No need to fill it out. __________________________________________________________ STANDARD PREMIUM 1. How would you describe Habanos’ current portfolio? ___Small ___Adequate ___Broad a- What format, brand and type of package would you use to launch any reference product in your market? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ b- What would you like Habanos to launch at the global level in the future? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 2.- Do you consider the current pace at which Habanos products are launched adequate? ___Yes ___No Explain: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 3.- In your opinion, is there any brand with enough potential to be treated by Habanos as a global brand? ___Yes ___No If so, explain: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 4.- What formats report an upward trend in your market? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ a.- Which types of packages? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 5.- What is your opinion regarding the changes to the aluminum tubes? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 6.- If you had to design an aluminum tube for the Partagás D4 and P2 series, what color or colors would you use? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 7.- Do you find the Siglo I aluminum tube design adequate, bearing in mind its small format? ___Yes ___No If not, explain: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 8.- In your opinion, should the aluminum tube be used for Cohiba classics? In what format or formats? ___Yes ___No Explain: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 9.- Do you feel the rings used reflect each brand’s specific features? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ a.- Do you believe any should be improved? Which one? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 10.- What is your opinion about Montecristo’s current ring, following the redesign of the rings used in other global brands? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ a.- Do you feel it reflects the brands specific features? ___Yes ___No If not, what would you suggest? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 11.- With respect to the packaging, do you think they reflect each brand’s specific features? ___Yes ___No a.- Do you feel any should be improved? Which? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 12.- What's your opinion about high image cigars in pack of three with no protection rather than the carton box: Monte 2; Serie D4, Magnum 46? Do you think this pack is adequate regarding cigar's quality and image? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 13.- What images do you feel are appropriate for their brand’s specific features? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ a.- Which should be improved? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 14.- What is your opinion of the new brand designs? Do you think them appropriate? ___Yes ___No Explain: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 15.- In spite of the delay in reaching the market, or the failure of some to do so at all, what is your opinion about the 2006 launchings? (GOOD/ VERY GOOD/ EXCELLENT) Premium Standard Cohiba Siglo II aluminum tube 15 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E Montecristo Petit Edmundo 25 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E Montecristo Petit Edmundo 10 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E Montecristo Edmundo aluminum tube 15 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills 10 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills 25 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills aluminum tube 15 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E Bolivar Gold Medal 10 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E Partagás Culebras 9 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E JLP Petit Cazadores 25 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E JLP Petit Cazadores Display 25 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Premium Limited Editions Montecristo Robustos. ___G ___VG ___E Partagás D No.3. Series___G ___VG ___E Cohiba Pirámides. ___G ___VG ___E ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Global brands H.Upmann Réplica Antigua. ___G ___VG ___E Colección Trinidad. ___G ___VG ___E Cohiba Behike. ___G ___VG ___E ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Travel Retail Montecristo Edmundo. ___G ___VG ___E ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 16.- What would you do to make launchings more effective? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ 17- What is your opinion about the launchings announced for 2007? Premium Standard Cohiba Siglos in tubes (III, IV and V in cases of 3). ___G ___VG ___E Línea Cohiba Maduro in 10 and 25 cases. ___G ___VG ___E H.Upmann Mágnum 46 aluminium tube 15 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E Montecristo Petit Edmundo aluminium tube 15 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Premium Limited Edition Trinidad Ingenios. ___G ___VG ___E Romeo y Julieta Escudos. ___G ___VG ___E Hoyo de Monterrey Regalos. ___G ___VG ___E ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Global brands Colección H. Upmann. ___G ___VG ___E Partagás Réplica Antigua. ___G ___VG ___E ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Travel Retail H.Upmann Robustos. ___G ___VG ___E ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Reserve Montecristo No. 4. ___G ___VG ___E ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ PREMIUM SPECIAL PRODUCTS 18.- What is your opinion of the new concepts below? Colección Habanos. ___G ___VG ___E ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Reserva. ___G ___VG ___E ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Regional editions. ___G ___VG ___E ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Exclusive products for Casas del Habano. ___G ___VG ___E ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ PREMIUM LIMITED EDITION 19.- In your opinion, should the Limited Edition concept be improved? ___Yes ___No Explain: ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ a.- In what brands, not used to date, would you like to see a limited edition in? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ b.- What formats do you think appropriate for the Limited Editions? _________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ PUBLIC RELATIONS 20.- What is you opinion about the Habano Festival as a PR strategy? Your ideas an suggestions can help improve the Habano Festival ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
Jimmy2 Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 Super Coronas or make the Partagas Lusi's blend back to pre 98 they are to mild .
habanohal Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 » Super Coronas please... LGC Rodusto or Corona Gorda
GTS21 Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 i'd be very interested to see your answers to this Rob, if possible. Thanks
Trevor2118 Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 Rob.....what I would REALLY like to see is: ....................................................your reply to them.;-)
habanablue Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 Rob great to see you posting the inside stuff for us outside the habanos loop. Perhaps we all should fill out a form, we then forward it to Lisa and then she can collate a collective response from forum members...I know she has nothing to do!:-D
Trevor2118 Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 » Perhaps we all should fill out a form, we then forward it to Lisa » and then she can collate a collective response from forum members...I know she has nothing to do!:-D That one BRAVE comment....:-D :-D :-D
genevapics Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 » Rob great to see you posting the inside stuff for us outside the habanos » loop. Perhaps we all should fill out a form, we then forward it to Lisa » ...I know she has nothing to do!:-D
El Presidente Posted January 22, 2007 Author Posted January 22, 2007 ....the only thing she would co-ordinate is my execution....
Trevor2118 Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 » ....the only thing she would co-ordinate is my execution.... An even BRAVER comment
Trevor2118 Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 » Rob great to see you posting the inside stuff for us outside the habanos loop. There is actually a LOOP ????????:wink:
Ginseng Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 Fascinating! Thanks for putting that out. Wilkey
Adric Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 What I found amusing is that the lower section of the questionnaire only has options for Good/Very Good/Excellent Either they're extremely confident that everyone found everything at LEAST good, or they don't want to hear bad news
El Presidente Posted January 23, 2007 Author Posted January 23, 2007 My submitted answers_______________________________________________________ STANDARD PREMIUM 1. How would you describe Habanos’ current portfolio? ___Small _X__Adequate ___Broad a- What format, brand and type of package would you use to launch any reference product in your market? I would target the connoisseur who is lacking time but seeking a high quality Smaller cigar. Por larranaga Charlotta (Connoisseur No 3 ) size would be ideal b- What would you like Habanos to launch at the global level in the future? Complex medium to full bodied smaller ring guage (38-40) cigars. Packaging in 10, 25 and 50 cigars. 2.- Do you consider the current pace at which Habanos products are launched adequate? X Yes ___No 3.- In your opinion, is there any brand with enough potential to be treated by Habanos as a global brand? X Yes ___No If so, explain: Por Larranaga enjoys both the blend consistency/style + reputation to See a full rollout of vitola’s. It is a cigar enjoyed by novices and connoisseurs alike and benefits from a long and proud history, 4.- What formats report an upward trend in your market? Small Panetela, Petit Corona and Robusto. a.- Which types of packages? 10’s and 25’s 5.- What is your opinion regarding the changes to the aluminum tubes? Excellent design and packaging. 6.- If you had to design an aluminum tube for the Partagás D4 and P2 series, what color or colors would you use? Red, Gold, Black. 7.- Do you find the Siglo I aluminum tube design adequate, bearing in mind its small format? X Yes ___No 8.- In your opinion, should the aluminum tube be used for Cohiba classics? In what format or formats? X Yes ___No Explain: The success of the tubed Siglo series can be seen as nothing but a precursor To the success of a tubed Cohiba Robusto. 9.- Do you feel the rings used reflect each brand’s specific features? Some do but others are a disgrace. a.- Do you believe any should be improved? Which one? Sancho Panza, Quai D’Orsay, Rafael Gonzales 10.- What is your opinion about Montecristo’s current ring, following the redesign of the rings used in other global brands? Excellent a.- Do you feel it reflects the brands specific features? X Yes ___No 11.- With respect to the packaging, do you think they reflect each brand’s specific features? ___Yes _X__No a.- Do you feel any should be improved? Which? I disagree with unprotected three and five packs of premium cigars. It cheapens The cigar immeasurably and prohibits inspection. 12.- What's your opinion about high image cigars in pack of three with no protection rather than the carton box: Monte 2; Serie D4, Magnum 46? Do you think this pack is adequate regarding cigar's quality and image? See above 13.- What images do you feel are appropriate for their brand’s specific features? If in a 3 or 5 pack they should be tubed. a.- Which should be improved? All Cohiba, Montecristo, HDM, Partagas, Punch, Vegas Robaina…all premiums 14.- What is your opinion of the new brand designs? Do you think them appropriate? ___Yes X No Explain: Trinidad is fine. Vegueros looks like it has been designed by a 10 year old. That includes the cigars as well. 15.- In spite of the delay in reaching the market, or the failure of some to do so at all, what is your opinion about the 2006 launchings? (GOOD/ VERY GOOD/ EXCELLENT) What about a rating for poor? Premium Standard Cohiba Siglo II aluminum tube 15 cigars. ___G ___VG _X__E Montecristo Petit Edmundo 25 cigars. _x__G ___VG ___E Montecristo Petit Edmundo 10 cigars. ___G __X_VG ___E Montecristo Edmundo aluminum tube 15 cigars. ___G _X__VG ___E Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills 10 cigars. ___G ___VG __X_E Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills 25 cigars. ___G __X_VG ___E Romeo y Julieta Short Churchills aluminum tube 15 cigars. ___G ___VG _X__E Bolivar Gold Medal 10 cigars. ___G ___VG __X_E Partagás Culebras 9 cigars. ___G ___VG __X_E JLP Petit Cazadores 25 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E No comment JLP Petit Cazadores Display 25 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E No comment Premium Limited Editions Montecristo Robustos. _X__G ___VG ___E Partagás D No.3. Series_X__G ___VG ___E Cohiba Pirámides. ___G _X__VG ___E Global brands H.Upmann Réplica Antigua. ___G _X__VG ___E Colección Trinidad. ___G _X__VG ___E Cohiba Behike. ___G ___VG ___E A disgrace Travel Retail Montecristo Edmundo. ___G ___VG ___E Poor 16.- What would you do to make launchings more effective? Better product aimed at people who smoke cigars on a day to day basis. Far too much product Is being produced and aimed at the top 5%. 17- What is your opinion about the launchings announced for 2007? Premium Standard Cohiba Siglos in tubes (III, IV and V in cases of 3). ___G ___VG __X_E Línea Cohiba Maduro in 10 and 25 cases. ___G ___VG _X__E H.Upmann Mágnum 46 aluminium tube 15 cigars. _X__G ___VG ___E Montecristo Petit Edmundo aluminium tube 15 cigars. ___G ___VG ___E Who cares. Premium Limited Edition Trinidad Ingenios. ___G __X_VG ___E Romeo y Julieta Escudos. _X__G ___VG ___E Hoyo de Monterrey Regalos. X___G ___VG ___E Global brands Colección H. Upmann. _X__G ___VG ___E Partagás Réplica Antigua. __X_G ___VG ___E Travel Retail H.Upmann Robustos. ___G _X__VG ___E Reserve Montecristo No. 4. _X__G ___VG ___E It is a shame these are destined only to the Spanish Market if rumours are to be believed. PREMIUM SPECIAL PRODUCTS 18.- What is your opinion of the new concepts below? Colección Habanos. ___G ___VG ___E Some ideas look good on paper. Reserva. __X_G ___VG ___E The concept is only as good as the cigars produced. Interesting blends and vitola’s are essential. I assume you marketing guys ran out of idea’s given you needed to come up with a 5th anniversary. Regional editions. ___G ___VG _X__E Love the concept as it allows for some real experimentation. Exclusive products for Casas del Habano. ___G ___VG ___E Someone needs to work out what Exclusive means. PREMIUM LIMITED EDITION 19.- In your opinion, should the Limited Edition concept be improved? _X__Yes ___No Explain: I disagree that large formats need to be released each year. Include a thinner guage format as one of the three cigars to be released. a.- In what brands, not used to date, would you like to see a limited edition in? Por Larranaga b.- What formats do you think appropriate for the Limited Editions? There should be no limitations. Two large ring gauge releases per year and one sub 40 ring gauge release. PUBLIC RELATIONS 20.- What is you opinion about the Habano Festival as a PR strategy? Your ideas an suggestions can help improve the Habano Festival More fun, more freedom, more dancing….less formal. Cigars are about Cuba and the Cuban people. The festival should reflect and celebrate the warmth and passion of the average Cubano as much as it celebrates the Cuban cigar. Currently the festival is predominantly staid. It is the reason I only attend the dinners and this year I and our group will scale back on that. If I want to hear speech after speech I will stay home and listen to my wife. I agree poor food and poor service is part of Cuban culture but do you need to glorify it in your dinners? We can forgive anything but let the booze flow and the music reverberate around the room. If it is a party then LET IT BE THE BIGGEST PARTY IN THE WORLD!
Colt45 Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 » More fun, more freedom, more dancing….less formal. Cigars are » about Cuba and the Cuban people. The festival should reflect and celebrate » the warmth and passion of the average Cubano as much as it celebrates the » Cuban cigar. Currently the festival is predominantly staid. It is the » reason I only attend the dinners and this year I and our group will scale » back on that. If I want to hear speech after speech I will stay home and » listen to my wife. I agree poor food and poor service is part of Cuban » culture but do you need to glorify it in your dinners? We can forgive » anything but let the booze flow and the music reverberate around the room. » If it is a party then LET IT BE THE BIGGEST PARTY IN THE WORLD! You're always trying to make friends - a real people person. Seriously, some great replies.
El Presidente Posted January 23, 2007 Author Posted January 23, 2007 » » More fun, more freedom, more dancing….less formal. Cigars are » » about Cuba and the Cuban people. The festival should reflect and » celebrate » » the warmth and passion of the average Cubano as much as it celebrates » the » » Cuban cigar. Currently the festival is predominantly staid. It is the » » reason I only attend the dinners and this year I and our group will » scale » » back on that. If I want to hear speech after speech I will stay home » and » » listen to my wife. I agree poor food and poor service is part of Cuban » » culture but do you need to glorify it in your dinners? We can forgive » » anything but let the booze flow and the music reverberate around the » room. » » If it is a party then LET IT BE THE BIGGEST PARTY IN THE WORLD! » » You're always trying to make friends - a real people person. » » Seriously, some great replies. I know these guys....they won't take offence ;-)
Stalebread Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 » My submitted answers . . . Thank you for posting the questionaire and your responses. Very, very interesting. As far as you know, to what extent do other distributors share the feelings and ideas that you've posted here?
El Presidente Posted January 23, 2007 Author Posted January 23, 2007 » » My submitted answers . . . » » Thank you for posting the questionaire and your responses. Very, very » interesting. » As far as you know, to what extent do other distributors share the » feelings and ideas that you've posted here? There is big discrepancy amongst the thoughts of licence holders and their main distributors. Habanos s.a is working hard to develope greater inter distributor co-operation. The first couple of ideas fell apart at a trial level. Habanos s.a has been buying back 50% distributor licences over the past couple of years so you may see better co-operation and better product as a result.
Black Plague Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 Very, very cool stuff and great responses, Rob (coming from a fellow Por Larranaga and thin ring-gauge lover) :-D
tigger Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 Thanks Rob for letting us have a peek! As growly as I can be about Habanos SA/Altadis axing some classic stuff, it's good to know they're interested in what the market wants...
Zaphod42 Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 » » Super Coronas please... » » » LGC Rodusto or Corona Gorda Exactly!!
wp2 Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 Rob: Thank you for posting the questionaire & your replies. Inside info like this is always appreciated.
habanablue Posted January 28, 2007 Posted January 28, 2007 How's Lisa going with the collation of FOH member's responses?:-D Great reply Prez, perhaps Lisa doesn't have to collate the boards responses after all! PS I love the transparency on this board!
stonerpc Posted January 29, 2007 Posted January 29, 2007 JLP Petit Cazadores? First I've heard of these, I guess they never made it:-|
12stones Posted January 30, 2007 Posted January 30, 2007 Great answers, Rob. I'm curious to see what Habanos S.A. does with them and the others they receive.
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