Memo to iRobot: Roomba product placement please!

Sarah Lawrence, new president of iRobot Home Robots, I know you are still getting acquainted with the job, but here are some suggestions/observations:
1. Get iRobot's products into more storefronts.
1a. In the past I've recommended that iRobot open some of its own stores, a la Apple. I still think this is a great idea. Like the Mac, People need to see, touch and use these robots, still foreign to most people, to get a sense of trust. A unit in a box in the back of Sharper Image doesn't quite do the trick. (Just as a Mac in the back of a CompUSA didn't either). A storefront with knowledgable employees keeping the robots stocked with charged batteries and answering customers' questions (and servicing dead 'bots) would draw a crowd and sell lots of robots. Think about it, wouldn't you and your kids want to check out the shiny new robot store? Or would you go for the umpteenth time into The Gap or Wilson Leather? Like Apple Stores, they would be a hub of activity.
1b. In the meantime, iRobot has left whole markets untouched by Roomba. Home Depot, Lowe's and Costco should stock Dirt Dogs in the weeks before Father's Day, but it looks like this won't happen. A pity. Wal-Marts should have $99 Roomba 400s this Christmas. (They would sell tens of thousands if you debuted them on Black Friday.) And isn't Wal-Mart trying to become more chic?
1c. Japan, Japan, Japan. They love robots, they're rich, they should love Roomba.
1d. I'm glad iRobot has started to realize that Europe could be a cash cow and is moving to cut out middlemen so you can lower prices and improve service. It's insane that iRobot is at 10 percent overseas sales. It should be 40 percent -- like Apple.
2. Product placement. Movies, sitcoms, famous folks, Academy Awards goodie bags, whatever it takes. The most obvious show should be ABC's hit, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They are always showing handicapped folks for whom Roomba would be perfect. Sears already sponsors the show and sells Roombas. Wouldn't it be great to see a scene where Ty snaps his fingers and a fleet of Roombas snap to work?
3. I like the infomercial for Scooba -- great idea. Consider one for your robotic lawnmower when it comes out. Most people still have no idea that there is such a thing as a robotic lawnmower. They need to see it working. (And get that bad boy on Extreme Makeover too!)

Cheers,
Thorn

Tags: iRobot