I was recently visiting the COLD COLD state Minnesota for a get together of Software Publishers and the Retail buyers from all the Big Box stores from around the globe. It was a great experience getting to listen and interact with these two groups. Publishers trying to convince the buyers to put their products on shelf.
The best part is when the retailers basically hold the publishers hostage to provide MDF funds and "suggest" they could triple their volume by buying a monthly ad in one of their circulars. When they call, know that they are not coming away empty handed, you want shelf space, you will buy some type of ad or end cap deal. And it's never a "deal". LOL.
The highlight was a lunch conversation I had with the publishers of the 123 Copy DVD suite of products from Bling Software Ltd and the gents from Defender Pro, who have one of the top Anti-Virus / Firewall products in retail. Two very different categories of software, but it proved to be a fascinating experience listening to their approach to maintaining the quality and evolution of their respective products.
I am going to put together some type of contest to bring their two customer bases together, I feel the need to give something fantastic away. Just give me a few days to work something up and I will get er posted. Okay with you?
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