“Have you guys seen those Segway PTs in Mall Cop?”
Someone you know must’ve rattled that off sometime over the past couple of weeks.
If you’re in the states and have been watching TV lately, chances are you’ve seen an advertisement for the upcoming release of Paul Blart Mall Cop and caught a glimpse of a Segway PT cameo appearance.
In fact, our presence in the film is more than a cameo, the Segway PT is an integral part of the storyline. The thing that you need to know is that the film was conceived, created, edited, and marketed without Segway Inc.’s influence and there are a few scenes that inaccurately portray the capabilities of our product. In short, we need you to know that we don’t endorse the depiction of our product in the film.
Don’t get us wrong; however. We do have a sense of humor. Did you see that chimp on YouTube? And we’re quite flattered that Kevin James is such a huge fan of our product. (You may recall when he rode on a Segway PT during an episode of “King of Queens” a couple of years ago. And as such, he wanted the Segway PT to be a big part of his next big film.) Cool.
We’re also flattered by the fact that people now understand that the Segway PT really is an effective tool for patrolling malls, deterring crime, and responding to emergencies. As we head into 2009, we’re in an estimated more than 400 malls around the world for this very purpose. In Portugal, nearly 100% of the malls use Segway PTs for security. Nice.
Problem is that this is Hollywood and reality gets distorted for the hope of intended comedic result.
Without giving away the details of the film, here are a few clarifications about our product, the way it works, and how it’s intended to be used.
- Payload limit is 260 lbs/118 kg rider and cargo. That’s a fair amount for real security personnel to carry the additional cargo and emergency apparatuses they need to perform their jobs. The hypoglycemic character Mr. Blart might come across as a shade over that to some viewers.
- The Segway PT is designed for only one passenger. We won’t spoil it for you, but no matter how romantic it might seem, it could be quite dangerous to ride with more than one passenger.
- We are a pet-friendly company. You’ve seen it in the trailer that there’s an implication that the Segway PT could hurt a dog. We’ve never heard of such an occurrence and never want to.
- The Segway PT requires you to pay attention to what you’re doing. We regularly hear comments about how courteous our customers are when gliding. Segway feels that any “damage” to property you might see in the film is overblown for on-screen visual effect.
In a perfect world, we would have been able to work more closely with production on this film to ensure that people who have never seen nor tried a Segway PT get a more accurate depiction of how it works and what normal use might be. You know, on those off days when skateboarding kidnappers aren’t taking over a mall.
If you’re considering using a Segway PT in a film, TV commercial, or other production, please e-mail media@segway.com so that we can work together toward a mutually beneficial result.
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5 Responses to ““Have you guys seen those Segway PTs in Mall Cop?””
I’ve been working on getting funding for a fleet of Segways to be used for public tourism purposes. I’m concerned that the comedy use of them will make people laugh – even harder – when I ask for money.
I think this was a very good statement on your [Segway Inc.'s] part. It also seems, at least by implication, that if there weren’t any issues or misrepresentations of “gliding” more serious than those you’ve addressed here, then the Segway PT’s “role” in the film might serve to actually enhance the public’s general awareness of the product.
I’m all the more curious to see the film, both to see my favorite conveyance as part of the story line, and to experience the humorous plot as previewed in the trailer.
Hi Teresa,
Your point is taken seriously and one of the reasons we’re doing the best we can to limit product placement opportunities to the ones that make sense for everyone in the long term. If there’s anything we can do to support your pitch process, please let us know.
-Eric
Segway Inc.
I guess the points here all well taken. But then I start thinking here ok well your product is getting free exposure correct? In order to get this quality tool so diversified as it is you have. One would to purchase this from a either the company or a dealer I am guessing . Unlike a gun, a car , Motorcycle and on and on it is only as good as the person in control. I think it is bit of a stretch people thinking your product is out to run over dog’s. Take it for what it is guys will ya. It’s comedy. Any normal thinking person knows this. Maybe it is just me but, I think your product speaks for itself. Being from Rye, NH origonally I am very thrilled to see such a brilliant product make it so big.
I’m wondering just how necessary this “disclaimer” was. Don’t believe I have ever read a similarly intentioned disclaimer from any automobile company (not that you ever see cars do things you can’t really do with a car), nothing from any of the motorcycle manufacturers (which is good because I want the same bike Tom Cruise rode in MI-2) and no word from the various aircraft builders (I’m gonna make sure my next flight is on the plane they used in Transporter 2, in case we have to dive into the ocean).
The companies that really should write disclaimers, like the tobacco companies, drug manufacturers, fast food and bakery vendors and, of course, the booze distillers, don’t write them. Their products kill many thousands of people every year. Just from normal use.
So, I just thought it was kinda silly to see a disclaimer from a company who could serve the Segway market better by knocking on a few producers doors. Beg them to use Segways in the background shots of just about every movie and TV program around. And with as many hooks and strings attached as any of those other manufacturers I mentioned above (I believe that would be NONE – except for prominent logo placement). When people begin to see the Segway as common place and safe in and to the environments it is presented in, maybe we will see greater numbers and a more active after market segment.
I’m not just lonely, but find it especially odd that after more than 2 years, I am still the only Segger in all of Plumas County, California. Way too many people stop me every day and ask me, “what th’ heck IS that thing?”
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