One of the reasons ZBrush is so popular is their business model.

People who don't own a ZBrush licence get to watch-over the threads and see the endless amount of praise that is bostowed upon Pixologic on every release without fail.  The onlookers get to see the constant free upgrade being given to Pixologic customers.

You only have to combine the sheer power of ZBrush with this business logic to understand why even those on a low income are prepared to put the cash away, until eventually, they can afford it.

For a figure like Roxie or indeed any future figure, I think the obvious way to fight the figure popularity war, is for Smith Micro to create their own "Mascot" girl.  All she needs is a name that's cool (Roxie would have been perfect).  A quality topology, Teyon is the man.  And for Smith Micro to give her away for free, just as DAZ have done with Victoria.

Most importanly they need to make it perfectly clear that the "Mascot" figure is there for all, and is not under the same policy as the Poser Runtime girls.  Smith Micro stand to lose nothing by doing this, because even if a person was to download the new figure and not get attracted to Poser, the fact remains that a Smith Micro figure is doing the rounds, replacing a DAZ one.

All you need is Teyon to model her, some kick-ass talented artists to prepare release renders, a little content to be going on with, and to give the girl some attitude (that's important otherwise she's just another mesh without one).  Victoria has been doing the rounds for years, she's in a billion renders, yet for all that popularity she has no persona whatsoever.

Roxie however, does, literally overnight.

Like it or not, a sassy, sexy, girl with an attitude is something that sells - always will do.  Some might not like the persona I gave to Roxie and I can appreciate that, but the point is, she has one and she's being talked about a little more because of it.

Give her a nice "sweet" persona and see what that would do for her image ;-)

Do it right, publicise it right.  And above all be sure to ensure the whole thing happens in one massive publicity wave, otherwise, it's just effort to the wind.