Lessons from HBO’s Vinyl

HBO’s new series Vinyl is about the rock n’ roll scene in 1970s New York. As The Hollywood Reporter  puts it, the series tries to “find the euphoric electrical cord that runs through great rock n’ roll – from the searing guitar to the pounding drum and the propulsive bas – and ends up in your head.” In other words, it’s about what was, and is, cool summed up in a single word: vinyl.

Why Does “Cool” Matter?

“Cool” from a marketing standpoint is an ideal that exemplifies what is memorable and generates interest in a product. To be “cool” a product needs to be (or seem) out of the ordinary, unique or even rare. It needs to capture the imagination and make consumers feel something like that “euphoric electrical cord” when they come into contact with it.

What Makes Vinyl Cool?

So why choose the word “vinyl” for this show? Vinyl is just a type of plastic made from ethylene and chlorine that, when processed, combine to form Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) resin. Yawn. If this show were actually being made in the ‘70s there’s no way this one word would make anybody want to watch.

Today, however, vinyl is synonymous with cool because records made with this common material produce a sound audiophiles consider purer than more common digital recordings. Vinyl records were once considered old school, but today they are honored as the most authentic listening experience recorded music can offer.

Giving “Vinyl” a Whole New Meaning

Here at Starocket Media, we think vinyl not only sets the standard for audio. We believe vinyl is also the coolest tool for visual media.

Vinyl interior graphics or “wall wraps” are today setting the standard for interior design to replace paint. Costs are coming down as more businesses recognize that interior graphics beat paint on:

• Versatility – easy to apply and remove at will, ideal for seasonal signage
• Creativity – vinyl applications on walls, floors and ceilings transform three-dimensional spaces
• Durability – easy to clean and stands up over time
• Profitability – affordable interior designs create spaces where people want to be (and spend money)

We may not be as cool as a flashy NYC record company … but with a little imagination, you could be. Watch us transform your customer-facing areas into the epitome of cool, a place everyone wants to be, and discover the new meaning of the phrase, “Come check out my vinyl.”