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About a year has passed since we learned of TLG’s terrible decision to “improve”
the gray, dark gray, and brown colors. Our initial (and ongoing) firestorm was
unsuccessful at reversing the change, and with Jake’s recent “locked-color” post
http://news.lugnet.com/lego/?n=2605, the window of opportunity certainly now
seems closed.
But I think we have a unique final opportunity afforded by the recent
installation of a new CEO at TLG. The new CEO, Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, is only
~35 years old! As others here have pointed out, he, like many of us AFOLs, was
a kid/teen during the (heavily gray) classic-space and classic-castle eras.
Suppose we, the AFOL community, could get a well-written letter to him
directly. The color change could potentially be reversed with this one,
well-placed, shot! It may be a long shot, but it is one of our few remaining
hopes, and it actually stands a reasonable chance of success.
TLG’s emphasis since the introduction of the brick has been on the system of
play. Changing a 20-year-old core color is inconsistent with this focus. For
this, as well as a host of other reasons discussed here at length, most of us
would agree that the color change decision was a poor one. (Even for those who
are accepting/indifferent, would anyone here be greatly upset by the
change-back? I doubt it.)
Mr. Knudstorp may not even be aware that the color change has occurred, or why
the change was so upsetting to the AFOL community. In fact, he may not yet even
know that the AFOL community exists at all. This letter could serve a variety
of useful purposes.
Hardly anyone on this planet is truly unreachable. I am convinced that we could
get a well-worded, respectful letter into Mr. Knudstorp’s hands. It would be
even better if we could attach a petition to it, with several dozen or maybe 50
names. Unfortunately, I honestly do not have the time to organize this endeavor
and synthesize the letter.
I put this message out as a plea to the AFOL community. Can someone here take
up the cause? I truly believe it could work.
I know from my own experiences in life, from dealing with everyone from
insurance agent to cell-phone reps: Sometimes, the only way to get them to do
the “right thing” (or even the thing they promised to do) is to speak to the
manager’s manager’s manager, someone who is more concerned about the bigger
picture and less about the details. Certainly it cost TLG money to make the
switch, and it will certainly cost them money to make the switch back. Although
I personally believe TLG’s bottom line would benefit by switching back, it is
not obviously certain. But it is more certain that changing a 20-year-old core
color goes against the principles that TLG stands for. “Only the best is good
enough.” Which is best, the (supposedly) best color or the best system?
There is a reasonable chance that Mr. Knudstorp would choose to maintain the
integrity of the system. And as many here have said, this one (relatively
simple?) act, more than anything else that TLG could ever possibly do, would
show without a doubt that TLG is aware of and is responsive to the concerns of
the AFOL community; it would certainly win many of our hearts back.
Let’s do this; let’s write this letter, get some signatures, and get the
letter into Mr. Knudstorp’s hands. Who is willing to help? This may be our
last chance, but it’s in fact a good chance!
-Walter
Help me Obi Wan Kenobi(s) ... you’re our only hope.
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Message has 15 Replies:
 | | Re: Color change: Let's go straight to the CEO!
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| (...) This seems a very valid argument to me indeed. (...) Taking the risk of repeating myself too often, that would be, indeed, the only necessary but yet sufficient move from TLC that would make me believe that they are, sincerely, concerned with (...) (20 years ago, 26-Nov-04, to lugnet.color, lugnet.lego, lugnet.general, FTX)
| | | Re: Color change: Let's go straight to the CEO!
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| (...) While I agree that the color change was a bad decision for Lego to have made, I'm almost even MORE nervous about them changing back. I don't want to see an already struggling TLC put millions into a reverse change, which probably wouldn't (...) (20 years ago, 26-Nov-04, to lugnet.color)
| | | I'll take a stab at the letter!
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| Hey all, I would be willing to take a running jump at the letter. I've already composed one which I've yet to send to the company about this very issue, but it's been sitting on my hard drive collecting dust for a couple of reasons. First of all, I (...) (20 years ago, 26-Nov-04, to lugnet.color)
| | | Color change: **CEO Draft Letter**
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| I've drafted a letter, and had my wife review for grammar, context and presentation. By way of credentials, my wife has worked as both a full time external communications, and internal executive communications writer in a Fortune 100 company for (...) (20 years ago, 30-Nov-04, to lugnet.color, lugnet.lego, lugnet.general, FTX)
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