SpeedoForum.org

Speedo, like Hoover or Xerox descibes the product as well as the brand. The name is so familiar it has come into general use. But there have been other brands whose name would be even better... Back in the early noughties, shotly ofter Aussiebum took off there followed a few other Aussie brands trying to emulate Aussiebums success. Hard was one brand with its 'USP' "when did you last have a hard on" - they came (no punintended) and went in no time, as did Junk Trunks. Then there was Wettackle - the name works on so many levels - it was brilliant. The logo looked smart too. Its 'USP' "Show off down under" put the iceing on the cake! The briefs were good quality and the colours and styles looked fine, but they never really took off - the website wasn't brilliant, and they clearly didn't have Sean Ashbys' expertise for publicity and promotion.

Now but a memory, and the name has been hijacked by a company selling - horror of horrors - fish bait, complete with gruesome logo. I can't help feeling that a great mens swimwear brand name has gone to waste. Speedo is fine, but Wettackle was inspired!

Thanks for posting. Makes you wonder how many brands have disappeared. I think the demand for speedo type suits has increased in the last several years.

speedobillyuk wrote:Back in the early noughties, shotly ofter Aussiebum took off there followed a few other Aussie brands trying to emulate Aussiebums success. Hard was one brand with its 'USP' "when did you last have a hard on" - they came (no punintended) and went in no time, as did Junk Trunks. Then there was Wettackle - the name works on so many levels - it was brilliant. The logo looked smart too. Its 'USP' "Show off down under" put the iceing on the cake! The briefs were good quality and the colours and styles looked fine, but they never really took off

I think there is obvious problems with a lot of the speedo brands that don't/didn't make it.

The successful brands market themselves to a wide audience, constantly update their products and online presence, and sponsor events to promote public awareness.

Aussie brands like Funky Trunks, Aussiebum, and Budgy Smuggler have done really well because of this.

Brands that fail tend to seal their fate as soon as they begin, pigeon holeing themselves by selling a very limited range or niche product, not updating their product lineup with new designs, only appealing to an extremely small group, and not maintaining any online or offline presence.

I think in todays market, one of the biggest killers of success is not being active online and in social media.