Customer E-mails: February 2010 Edition

We always love seeing photos of AbbyShot coats "in action" and this month two of our customers really went above and beyond. Doctor Who fan Robert and Serenity fan Bruce both sent in some fun action shots in their new licensed coats. As an added bonus, we also have what we believe to be the first unveiling of a customer's AbbyShot coat "on the air" in a podcast. You won't believe the reaction... ;)

We'll start with Doctor Who fan Robert, who wrote a wonderfully entertaining review of his new Tenth Doctor's Coat to go along with some great photos (please click on any of the thumbnails in this post for larger versions).

Hiya...

I received my 10th Doctor Coat today and have already developed a deep and abiding love for it. ;-)

Quality is great...colors are great...lining is super.

The family's reaction ranged from my 13 year old son stating definitively that I was the coolest Dad in the world and needed to come pick him up from school, to my 9 year old daughter who giggled, danced around me and told me I was as handsome as the "Real" Doctor, to my 20 year old who, I think, grumbled something about a cool coat being wasted on old people.

Finally, my wife forced me to have a few pictures taken. Ok, that's a lie. I asked her to take them.

Anyway...we are all big fans of the show and I'm a big fan of warm long coats so its a perfect match. Just wish we had a longer cold weather season to enjoy it, but I image I'll be wearing it a few weeks longer than I should in the Spring and a few weeks earlier than I should next Fall.

Thanks again for such a great product; we hope to enjoy many years together ;-)

take care,
Robert
U.S.A.

Thank you, Robert, for the amazing email! We love the progression of photos as well; we're thinking you might have gone from The Doctor to The Master in that last one ;)

Next up is Serenity fan Bruce from the U.S. who sent us in two completely different takes in his new Malcolm Reynolds Browncoat. He is like a one-man Browncoat army!

Here we have the traditional clean-shaven Mal Reynolds look.

And here is the "Don't mess with the outer rim planets" rugged Browncoat look.

Both photos are awesome - thanks so much Bruce for showing us your true Browncoat colours!

Speaking of Browncoats, we received a friendly Tweet a few days ago (through our AbbyShot Twitter account of course) that instantly sparked our curiosity:

"My friend's genuine reaction to my Browncoat caught at about 58:15 on our podcast #64. Enjoy!"

As it turns out, AbbyShot customer Adam from the UK is the co-host of a wonderful sci-fi themed podcast called "Staggering Stories" and the podcast in question does indeed have the very compelling title of:

Staggering Stories Podcast #64: Bad Case of Coatal Envy

The whole podcast is well worth a listen, but just after the 58-minute mark there is indeed a very surprised and VERY envious reaction to Adam's new Browncoat. I have to say that this off-the-cuff reaction does fall into the category of NSFW (Not Safe for Work) so you have been warned!

Thank you to Robert, Bruce, and Adam for all the good vibes this month, and to everyone else: we hope to see your photos here on the blog next month! :)

Product Development Survey 2010: The Results are In!

In our January Newsletter, AbbyShot gave fans a list of questions that will have a huge impact on what we do in 2010. Basically, we wanted to know: What do YOU want us to make this year?

To keep things structured we went with 4 main questions plus a general comment field at the end. Responses were well thought-out, varied, and overall fun to read. With well over 200 respondents, it was a good sampling of AbbyShot customers and fans. Now on to the questions!

1) Overall Interests

In this category we tried to get an overall view of what possible inspirations for 2010 are most popular with respondents. Here are our own top choices (shown in random order for the survey, of course) ranked here in order of reader interest, with 1 being the highest and 7 being the lowest:

1. Serenity / Firefly
2. Doctor Who
3. The Matrix
4. AbbyShot Orginal / AbbyShot Logo
5. Assassin's Creed
6. Final Fantasy
7. Kingdom Hearts

Overall, respondents were much more keen on science fiction over video games, with our 2 sci-fi licenses at the top of the list. Our retired Matrix line is still getting a lot of interest though with a #3 ranking.

We also left a spot for write-in responses and received a healthy dose of further inspirations, with those top picks being:

• Twelve votes for John Crichton’s Peacekeeper coat from Farscape
• Eleven votes for Captain Jack's RAF Coat from Doctor Who / Torchwood
• Ten votes for Dante from “Devil May Cry”

2) Types of Clothing

Next we wanted to see what types of clothing appealed most to fans. Again, in order of interest, we had:

1. Long Coats
2. Men's Leather Jackets
3. Hoodies
4. Gloves
5. T-Shirts
6. Ladies' Leather Jackets
7. Bathrobes / Housecoats

So the AbbyShot standards came out on top (Long Coats, Men's Leather Jackets, and Hoodies) and this didn't surprise us as it's what we're known for, after all!

We decided to throw a curveball in the mix and see if fans would be interested in AbbyShot bathrobes (it has been suggested!), yet overall consensus was for us to stick with what we do best.

3) Serenity Licensed Products

In this question we proposed some product ideas from the Serenity 'Verse and had fans rank them. Those unfamiliar with Serenity could choose an "N/A" option. Here's the ranking in order of interest:

1. Browncoat style suede satchel
2. Wash style button-up T-shirt with “Fruity Oaty Bar” print
3. Updated Jayne Hoodie (inspired by the “Jayne Hat”)
4. Hoodie with “Fruity Oaty Bar” print

In this case, fans of the Serenity 'Verse were leaning away from our traditional hoodie options in favour of some very different design ideas! Interesting... ;)

Although it did come in number 3 in the above ranking, many fans wrote in to express their desire for the Jayne Hoodie to come back, for example: "Dear GOD, PLEASE! I NEED a Shiny Jayne Hoodie!!"

Not to worry, as we announced on The Signal Podcast last month, the Jayne Hoodie will return this year and it may not be exactly as you remember...

4) Doctor Who Licensed Products

This question focused in on our Doctor Who license with more proposed product ideas shown in random order. For non-fans there was an "N/A" option here as well. On with the ranking:

1. Captain Jack Harkness’ Coat
2. Tenth Doctor’s Brown Suit
3. Fourth Doctor’s Long Scarf
4. Rose’s Leather Jacket (from the end of Series 4)
5. Eleventh Doctor’s Tweed Jacket
6. Eleventh Doctor’s Bowtie

Captain Jack Harkness was head and shoulders above the competition in this category, even garnering a few passionate (and entertaining) write ins:

• “OH MY GOD HARKNESS COAT11111oneoneone”
• “Ahem...If you make a Capt. Jack Coat, I'll have your baby (which is saying something due to my chromosomal ability to NOT give birth...)”

Meanwhile the upcoming Eleventh Doctor looks like he still has to prove himself to fans (naturally).

There were also some interesting write-in responses to this question:

• Five votes for the Ninth Doctor’s leather jacket
• Three votes for Fourth Doctor's long coat (to go along with the scarf)
  
• Two votes for “8th Doctor's Velvet Frock Coat and Double-Breasted Waistcoat”

5) Final Comments

In this final section we gave respondents a text box where they could write whatever they pleased, and responses were varied:

• More love for Captain Jack including an interesting note about his coat, as mentioned by a couple of fans: “When doing Capt Jack's coat, please use the Torchwood coat as the basis - i.e. a coat made from a man-made fabric for those (like John Barrowman) who are allergic to wool.”
• “A hoodie based on the Assassin's Creed design would be cool.”
• More Farscape mentions
• More Devil May Cry mentions
• AND finally, lots of inspiring messages of support, for example: “Abbyshot RULES!!! I LOVE your products! Was a fan at the beginning, will be a customer till the end!! :D Best wishes/Success in 2010!!!”

Thanks SO much to everyone who took the time to complete the survey, everyone here at AbbyShot always appreciates your feedback.

Speaking of feeback, what do you think of the results above? Do you agree or disagree with what the "survey says"? Is there anything in particular that jumps out at you as a must-have?

Please feel free to leave your Comments below!

AbbyShot Brings Home National Award for Business Innovation

We are proud to share this news from the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters' Canadian Innovation Awards: AbbyShot has earned the title of Canadian SME Innovator of the Year.

Being among top tier innovators makes us even more honoured to bring this award home to Newfoundland and Labrador, and it makes our team strive to accomplish even more as leaders and innovators on the international stage.

For more information, here is the Press Release from the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters:

Mount Pearl Company takes top honours at Canadian Innovation Awards

Six outstanding companies honoured for Canadian excellence, global vision

OTTAWA -- Leading-edge technology and innovative leadership has earned Mount Pearl’s Abbyshot Clothiers the title of Canadian SME Innovator of the Year.

Abbyshot Clothiers designs, produces and markets screen accurate replica clothing, and sells their products around the globe through their website – abbyshot.com. They were presented with the award at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters’ annual Canadian Innovation Awards February 2, at the Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa.

“The winners of the Canadian Innovation Awards are models of excellence for others to emulate,” says Howard Nash, Chair of CME’s NL Division. “We live in a competitive world, but nothing gives Newfoundlanders and Labradorians a greater sense of pride when we take on the world and win.”

“We are so proud of what we achieved as a team at Abbyshot,” said company president Bonnie Cook in her acceptance remarks. “This award is a testament to the success and commitment of all of the staff at our company.”

“Newfoundland & Labrador companies always seem to make the cut in these awards,” says CME Vice President Bill Stirling, “Our companies have to be innovative, given the unique challenges operating a business our province. Previous winners from this province include Rutter, Lotek, and Orphan Industries.”

Minister of Industry Tony Clement presented the six awards at CME’s Innovation Awards luncheon, an element of Canada’s leading trade and industry association’s Roadmap to Recovery Summit.

Winners are as follows:

• Vroomen.White.Design, Toronto, ON – Zurich’s Canadian Innovation Award for Manufacturer of the Year
• Iceculture Inc., Hensall, ON - EDC’s Canadian Innovation Award for Global Business of the Year
• Abbyshot Clothiers Ltd., Mount Pearl, NL - BDC’s Canadian Innovation Award SME Innovator of the Year
• Christie Digital Systems Canada, Inc., Kitchener, ON- NRC/IRAP’s Canadian Innovation Award for New Technology
• Megleen Inc. a.k.a. Tim Hortons, Scarborough, ON - Business Takes Action’s Canadian Innovation Award for Innovator of the Year
• Standard Aero Limited, Winnipeg, MB - CAHRD’s Canadian Innovation Award for Aboriginal Inclusion

About Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is Canada’s leading trade and industry association and the voice of manufacturing and global business in Canada.

The association directly represents more than 10,000 leading companies nationwide. More than 85% of CME’s members are small and medium-sized enterprises. As Canada’s leading business network, CME, through various initiatives including the establishment of the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition, touches more than 100,000 companies from coast to coast, engaged in manufacturing, global business and service-related industries.

CME’s membership network accounts for an estimated 82% of total manufacturing production and 90% of Canada’s exports.

Valentine's Special: FREE Shipping on Martha Jones Jacket

Are you a husband or boyfriend looking for the perfect Valentine's gift for the stylish woman in your life? You may just have found it - along with a sweetheart deal!

We're sure you'll agree - the appeal of the Martha Jones Companion Jacket goes way beyond fans of Doctor Who! This is a gorgeous leather jacket that is desired by every woman who lays eyes on it.

As a limited time bonus, if you order from now until Valentine's Day (February 14th) you're eligible for FREE shipping. This is up to $99 USD in savings!

Just choose our standard "UPS Worldwide" shipping option and write the code

4Valentines10

in your Paypal order notes. Your shipping price will then be deducted within the next 1-2 business days.

Click here for more info and photos:
You'll almost smell the leather!

This offer is only valid for the Martha Jones Jacket alone, and expires end-of-day February 14th!

AbbyShot in the Downhome Magazine!

The Downhome Magazine, published right here in St. John's, Newfoundland, featured some AbbyShot garments in their February 2010 issue. Our new Tenth Doctor's Coat and Martha Jones Companion Jacket from Doctor Who were front-and-centre in the "Downhome Picks" section of the magazine under the headline "Warmin' Up to Winter".

(Click to Read the Full Article)

These are certainly some stylish choices for keeping warm this winter!

Thanks so much to Linda from Downhome Magazine who stopped by to visit us before writing this great article. Let's just say she was quite taken with the Martha Jones Jacket! ;)

To quote the magazine's tagline: "Life is Better Downhome".
See Why on the Downhome Website!