[Helpful_Bunny]

Please, elucidate:

Is this project serious, or satire? If it's the former, we have no interest ($450? Who do you expect to use this, no major Brand Retailer will green light this, for both cost, practical application (a plug? Just how do you think retail space is planned out?), non-focus group aesthetics (97% of your market will not enjoy the '70s retro look) and the idea / concept cannot be protected at all legally - in fact, it probably breaks at least two patents I can think of); if it's the latter, you might be the top viral PR company of 2013.

No-one in 2013 can produce retro-1970's SF Geek-chique like this and not being framing a viral hit, especially with Face Book as its target. And yes, we do mean "hit" in a dual sense.

If you've not even seen the latter, I'd strongly suggest quickly (ahem not going to use the usual buzz word, but you should know it) your start-up, mulling over your skills, and seeing how much money you could make in an alternative market.

[Helpful_Bunny]

[Edit - I re-read the FAQ, I will remove complaints in lieu of a serious question, and alter the tone; unprofessional of me, and I apologize to the longer-term member base]

Since this was disliked, would the person responsible kindly explain their reasons? I'm 100% certain my critique is true in business terms, and any start-up should be 100% considering the retail market they're attempting to sell to.

I did not mean to be overly critical, however any Start-Up should surely brain-storm these basic questions immediately?

I am still 50-50 on this not being run by a professional PR team, however, I lack the motivation to really investigate their background at this point[1].

Am I too cynical to imagine that HN is popular enough to be targeted by K-street professionals? I'd have imagined that HN was a far more lucrative target than other social media, however, I apologize if this is not the case (and I have no knowledge of how the HN founders police this, so again, I do not wish to step on toes).

[1]http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/FB:US

[Helpful_Bunny]

Since the polite version didn't work, here's the scoop:

The CEO[1] of this start-up has a long back ground in the Advertising and Media Relations industry[2] and still works in his this field on current projects[3].

In this light, asking if this was viral marketing was entirely valid, and could have brought him work. Instead, abuse of the "down vote" system occurs (my second post removed this complaint, as the FAQ stated it shouldn't be referenced: however, I feel it should be acceptable to do so now).

shrug I'll ask a third time: is this really a product, or is this viral marketing?

[1]http://fr.linkedin.com/in/gnadaud/en

[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BETC

[3]http://vimeo.com/37597427

[Gauhier]

Hey Helpful_Bunny !

I'm Gauthier, the CEO @Smiirl & I can confirm you that it's a real product, the fact that I've worked in various companies in the Advertising Industry is indeed linked to this project, I had the idea by working closely on social media campains & issues for great brands...

Don't understand though why you've been downvoted...

[Helpful_Bunny]

Thank you for the answer: in developed / high culture markets (i.e. fashion, or targeting boutique++ markets) it's often hard to tell when someone is pushing an aesthetic trend (through prototype or catwalk) over a real product.

I loved the retro-chique of it, but it didn't appear HN was grasping the references. Since you seem happy to respond, I guess (and hope) you'll understand the humor of my replies (in that, I really don't think you're targeting WalMart with this, or would that be unfair? Yes, that's rhetorical)

Anyhow - I wish you the best, you have a unique style. (I still think you'd make an expert viral marketer over product, but that's only my opinion). As an uninformed guess, look into how the MENA market responds to it (aesthetically), as I could see this having more impact in elite stores (where the personal like is more connected to social / economic status).

Bon Chance! (groan)