Interview with Dan Long of Insert Coin Clothing
Insert Coin Clothing. Maybe you’ve heard of them. They are the ones that create aweome t-shirts and hoodies for gamers that aren’t insulting. It’s hard to believe, but this honest-to-goodness company is one you should give your money to, or at least your attention. I was able to interview Dan Long, the Head of Communications over at Insert Coin Clothing about where they started, what they’re doing, and where they’re going.
Saving Content: How did Insert Coin get off the ground? Was this the typical working from a parent’s basement to success story?
Insert Coin: Well, we were very lucky in that we had a very strong background in design and marketing and it all really started because we saw what other gaming tee companies were doing and we knew we could do better. The founding members of the company all worked together at a creative agency and we already had a fantastic understanding of what we could do and make something really special.
SC: How much work was involved in getting the “OK” from game developers and publishers to be able to make clothing products?
IC: We have an outstanding relationship with devs and publishers… they really get our creative mission and they give us loads of support. In fact, it’s been unbelievable – Xbox, Sony, Sega, Ubisoft, Namco Bandai, Capcom… the list of companies supporting us and working alongside us goes on and on. Amazing really as we’re still only an 18 month old company!
SC: What background does the staff has in the design of the clothing? Do they come from a passion of games?
IC: We’ve got lots of links with the fashion industry, a huge wealth of design experience and several lifetimes of game playing behind us – it seems to be the perfect mix!
SC: What do you have planned for 2012 for Insert Coin Clothing? Anything we can reveal today?
IC: We have loads of big plans for 2012… starting with our big new ranges – for Resident Evil, Devil May Cry and SEGA classics, including Shenmue, Jet Set Radio, Shinobi, Streets of Rage and Golden Axe. But there is lots more lined up too. You just have to follow us on facebook.com/insertcoinclothing or @insertcointees for the latest info…
SC: I really like your sizing chart. I don’t see that very often on online stores. What made you include it? Was it an effort to reduce Customer Service complaints?
IC: Most clothing stores have sizing guides, but ours is more accurate as it reflects the actual widths and heights – so you get a better idea of what you’re buying. To be honest, one of the central tenets of starting Insert Coin was to make sure customers get the best possible experience – the experience we would want – so all the information you could ever need is always available, either on our site, our blog, our Facebook page or our Twitter channel.
SC: Do you accept ideas for clothing from the community? If so, where should they submit it?
IC: We always want to hear what our community wants to see on our next range, and they know they can always suggest ideas to us… we have a huge file of ideas of things we want to create and they all get added to the mix.
SC: What games are you playing now, and what are you looking forward to this year?
IC: Currently, most of the team are playing Mass Effect 3 multiplayer, but there are some great games lined up for later in the year – Halo 4, AC 3 and Resident Evil 6 to name just a few!
SC: Thanks Dan, for your time!
IC: Thank you too – great to speak with you!
BONUS!
Win a random t-shirt courtesy of Insert Coin Clothing. Winner will be selected (randomly) at 12:01am on Thursday!
Contest closed.
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