| The beginning of the XXth century was the time | | | | Limited Editions easily cross the $100,000 break, and |
| when Mont Blanc pens were put into production. At | | | | older editions from German factories are sough after |
| first the company manufacturing writing instruments | | | | by passionate collectors. |
| was called "Simplo", evidently implying the simplicity of | | | | It's true that Mont Blancs are not for writing. Well, |
| usage. A. Eberstein was one of the three creative | | | | not exactly for writing solely. It's a way to brag, to |
| men who stood behind the Simplo pen company. | | | | show off, to enjoy the financial freedom. If you own |
| However, the first attempt to enter the competitive | | | | a Mont Blanc pen, you can afford lobsters on the top |
| market of fountain pens was a failure. | | | | of Mont Blanc peak. |
| But that was a precious experience for Mont Blanc | | | | One of the famous marketing campaigns carried by |
| name developers. Creativity, unexpected solutions to | | | | Mont Blanc took place in the beginning of XXIst |
| trivial problems, aggressive and fun PR - these are | | | | century. 149 people were asked to write a couple of |
| parts of the successful company name and product | | | | sentences about the power of words. Why 149? |
| image. | | | | Because it's a series of most successful Mont Blanc |
| Mont Blanc originated from Hamburg, Germany, and | | | | pens editions ever. UNICEF joint the company in this |
| has always remained a European pen company. While | | | | activity. Every participant got a $4810 "thank you" |
| the former leaders of the market - Scheaffer, | | | | for his words (well, you don't expect the words |
| Parker, Waterman, - gradually lose to the new | | | | written with Mont Blanc to be cheap). Can you guess |
| technologically advanced means of data entry | | | | how much the company earned thanks to that |
| (computers rule the world nowadays, who'd argue | | | | campaign? In 2005, the sales grew by 40% covering |
| that?), Mont Blanc seems to be the only fountain pen | | | | all expenses and bringing in loads of profit. Mont Blanc |
| manufacturer that managed to adapt to the new | | | | PR department definitely employs very creative |
| electronic era and reserve its share of the market. | | | | people. |
| Writing is no longer a mere need of a human. Mont | | | | However, premium-class stationery is not the core of |
| Blanc claims it to be the Right to Write! Not bad for a | | | | current business. Mont Blanc went far away from |
| slogan? | | | | fountain pens and now produces accessories for |
| Posh customers love the brand. Prices define the | | | | bikes, cars, boats. Leather goods and sunglasses. |
| status, sure. But the history full of rumours, | | | | Perfume. As you may guess, everything bearing the |
| suspicions, PR campaigns and symbols make each of | | | | Mont Blanc white star logo costs arm and leg. But |
| the Mont Blanc pens worth paying a lump sum of | | | | that's what luxury is all about, isn't it? |
| money to own such a piece of art. Mont Blanc | | | | |