Hi All,

Over last several weeks I have been running a spot on Russian
local TV channels to promote M* trains, and, in particular,
to sell M* "Dad, Let's Play" entry starter sets.

One day 10 people from the studio showed up in my house and
filmed "dad" and a boy playing with M* trains. Director of the
commercial Roman Polanski (or was that Steven Spielberg? - I can't
tell them apart ) overrode my objections and came up with some
rather bizzare train combinations, for which I don't accept
any responsibility.

TV ad has been a success, although not financially - the cost of
producing the commercial offset any revenues from sales, however
my intent from the start was to try and get M* trains into as many
homes as possible and get young kids to play with M* trains.

Commercial is in Russian (da!) and it opens with a joke
"Kids, after all, can be useful - you buy toys for them and then play
with those toys yourself" , and then it goes on to describe
all the benefits of playing with trains for kids - more than just
entertainment, etc, the stuff we know all too well and sometimes have
trouble convincing others.

And here is the commercial, or the opening part of it:

http://www.euromodeltrains.com/marklin-ru1.wmv

I hope you enjoy it.
Mike

Very good, Mike!

Spasibo!
Mike

Mike,
Terrific.
Nev

So... I suppose your origins is russian? ;-)

Thats quite some initiative, and congratulate you on the achievement!
Are there really so many russian speaking people in your area, to justify a commercial like that???
I hope things go well for you and your shop.

I am installing small TV screen in the shop and will start
playing endless video loop promoting products, including this TV spot
(no sound ).

Note to dealers:
You have my full permission to use this video as part of your <u>instore</u> promotions - feel free to edit, etc.

Mike
P.S. Yes, there are that many Russians in my geographical area
and many parents and grandparents have been exposed to model
trains in their youth.