Today I attended a focus group study about Hallmark. I have stepped into a Hallmark store approximately 0 times, so my knowledge of Hallmark is through commercials and whatever Target decides to sell of theirs. In recent years, Hallmark has created many products apart from cards. In my focus study, we discussed several new products Hallmark will be releasing in the year to come, with a moderator present to help prompt us to give our opinion, and at least 6 Hallmark executives standing in another room watching our session through a two-way mirror. One such product demonstrated to us was a microphone that changes your voice when sung into. After our moderator sang a rousing rendition of "Dashing Through The Snow", we were asked if it were something we would consider purchasing for our families. The 5 other women who had previously been very at ease with giving their opinions suddenly became very quiet and stared at each other uncomfortably, squeaking out comments of "Ummm, I don't think so" or "It's not something I would want my kids to play with" all the while averting their eyes from the actual product. The moderator looked at me and said,
"Jaylee, what do you think about this product?"
I answered,
"It's phallic and looks like a penis."
Study groups need more people like me.
