In fairness one should probably differentiate between PR shots that publications would use in product announcements and write-ups, and the images ultimately used in advertising campaigns.

Even so getting rid of the beach shots entirely is utterly bizarre; maybe it a cultural thing, a Japanese appeal to photography under extreme Endurance gameshow style hardships

Anyway, to finish off my pro bono marketing advice here’s what I would do; get some creative types to think about how to structure a campaign highlighting the excellent Pentax colour.

All now gone!

On a whim I went back to have another look, but now the "fun, sand and smiles" has now been completely scrapped in favour of more drizzle. Check it out yourself.

You can't make this stuff up -- LMAO.

Well that's mildly interesting, but the key word is bottom. I think the only thing that can be said with certainty is that having those images buried at the bottom shows the advertising agency gets it.

On the the other hand the main image seen at the top prominently is of the K30 seemingly covered in water droplets; the obvious inference is that it is raining.

I'm open to the possibility that Pentax's dismal marketing track record can be turned around. But I see only the most tenuous evidence of that at this time.

Interesting. In that case the effect of this announcement on me is likely to be inertia!

I’m not saying get rid of weathersealing. Just don’t spend the very limited advertising budget featuring it prominently.

People who actually require weathersealing more than likely have the wherewithal to independently identify cameras that meet their needs.

I couldn’t disagree more on the second bit, and groaned inwardly when I saw the official K30 ‘splash’.

Sure weathersealing appeals to a segment of the total market, but it is undoubtedly a tiny, tiny proportion.

On the other hand what Pentax needs to ensure their long term survival is volume. The volume segment of the market would undoubtedly prefer to buy a camera associated with sun, sea and sand, or say family and children, or cuddly pets.

Needless to say mud and the pouring rain are complete turn offs.

Use your collective loaves, Pentax marketing; this stuff really ain't that had.

Does anybody know whether this thing has video mode autofocus?

Here's the thing foney, margins can be very highly misleading depending on whether you make things or are merely selling on.

That's why a much better measure or profitability is something known as Return on Capital Employed or ROCE, where CE is the invested capital required to support the business.

If you friend has got the camera in stock on a sale or return basis his capital employed i 0 making his ROCE at a 5% sales margin infinite. Pretty good I'd say.
. . .from TVs mainly and nothing to do with cameras. Well documented.

But you're right. Those poor global companies. They need our help. Must save and plunge every penny into Pentax kit to keep them afloat.

Interesting Cabstar. I very rarely buy a newspaper these days, so it is certainly not surprising that I have not come across any of these.

Any idea where I might find a sample, preferably online?

Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Ken? Coasters, mugs, novelty pens, maybe even a - gasp - penknife?

I say this: Welcome Nicola--Let it henceforth be a testament to Pentax-Ricoh-Imaging-Company's commitment to marketing excellence, that such baubles and trinkets shall be dispensed freely to us, the faithful.