Advertising & The World of Groggs - By Guest Writer Jonathan Fry

I thought it would be interesting write an article showing the different forms of Grogg advertising over the years and how they have evolved along with the Groggs themselves.

There are a number of ways that the Grogg Shop have advertised since beginning trading. The most common methods being press advertisements, price lists / order forms, posters, leaflets, websites and most recently on social media pages which are also discussed in this article.

Advertisements

There were a number of advertisements placed in Rugby World Magazine during the 1970s and in match programmes. These early adverts were in the form of pencil sketches which were later replaced by photos of the Groggs. These advertisements were intended to target specific customers, promoting special offers, some emphasised that fact fact that some Groggs could even be customised! (Photos Courtesy of Peter Davies)

Advertisement from a 19702 WRU Rugby Programme - Courtesy of 1120 Marketing

  

Price lists / order forms

The use of price lists and order forms in publications were an easy way for people to order their Groggs. However, today there is a significant growth in the number of people placing their orders online or via email, but the shop is still a mecca for collectors to visit the shop itself and a treat as the Hughes family are always so welcoming and knowledgeable. (Photos Courtesy of Jonathan Fry)

The John Hughes Select XV v The Rest - Official team biographer Gren

(Photographs Courtesy of Darren Rees)

 

John Hughes Ceramics Price List (Photographs by Jonathan Fry) 

Rugby World Cup 1991 – ITV Guide (Photograph by Darren Priday)

Recent Price List (Photographs by Rob Van Der Steen)

Posters / leaflets

There are a number of examples shown of the different posters and leaflets that have been collected from the Grogg Shop. The colourful presentation of groggs and merchandise shows the product range available at a particular time. 

Grogg Posters / Leaflets (Photographs by Jonathan Fry, Carl Lewis and Rob Van Der Steen)

Website / Social Media

Today, the Grogg Shop primarily use their website and social media to communicate with their collectors. A great feature on their website is the list of Ltd Editions reaching their limit in order to ensure that avid collectors are aware of low availability groggs. On the website you will also find useful pages such as the news section, Grogg archive, work in progress and a Grogg blog from Richard. The social media pages are used very effectively to communicate when new Groggs are launched and to monitor the demand for future Groggs, making sure the interests of collectors are catered for. This must make it almost impossible for the release of a Grogg to fail as the system cleverly uses the principle of supply and demand to keep everyone happy.