February 01, 2012

Review: Soft Air Pillow

Description: An inflatable travel pillow
Main Pitch: "The amazing portable pillow that gives you perfect comfort and support"
Main Offer: $19.99 for pillow and no-slip jacket
Bonus: 2nd one with jacket (just pay P&H), travel strap, eye mask
Website: www.SoftAirPillow.com
Prediction: Unlikely to succeed

Most Americans don't travel nearly as much as most executives. This leads to an interesting phenomenon where marketers develop an exaggerated view of the potential appeal of travel items. The result has been many attempts in this category with no successes (unless you count Total Pillow, which had multiple uses).

As for this specific item, I think it would probably do well in a Hudson News. My theory is that travel pillows are like umbrellas: They sell best at the moment of need.