The Conversation Thing

The mouse that roars

This will come as no surprise, but the Rachel Ray debacle also points out the disproportionate power of blogging and how it can upset mass media -- and powerful ideas -- as we know them. A little burp, or a big noise, has a concomitant effect on ideas, image. So, whether it's the somewhat legit uncovering of a hypocrisy behind the Dove real beauty campaign, or a less relevant conspiracy theory behind the Dunkin' ads, the big boys have to notice. So, to eschew controvesy (see Kathy Taylor's analysis of the Bob Garfield pan of the current Cheeto campaign), advertisers and clients will probably pull back. All of which, in a time of challenging economics, is just the wrong thing we should be doing in our communications. There is never an excuse to lie. There is never an excuse to insult. And the fact is, one person's cheer is another person's jeer. But, if we, as professionals, exercise good taste, we should still be able to SAY THINGS. The problem is, when we all quiet down, the good along with the bad gets thrown out. Again, the ineffable quality known as "good ideas" must rule. And sometimes, that's going to mean taking a hit or two. But to succeed you have to take risks. It's a cliche, but one that we're all too readily losing site of because of the amplified voices of some sites.

Dunkin' Donuts, Rachel Ray & The Scarf

I couldn't help but wonder what I would do if faced when this sort of dilemma? Oh sorry, if you didn't hear about it, Dunkin Donuts decided to cancel one of its commercials and put it in the can forever because a blogger...perhaps a little more of the right-wing persuasion than 'yours truly'...questioned a stylist's choice of neck wear for Ms. Ray, the company's spokesperson. The neck wear was a scarf that looked a lot like the kaffiyeh popularized by Yasser Arafat, the former Palestinian leader.
Now I pride myself in the fact that I don't think that I am totally 'out of it' yet and I do recognize the sensational power of symbols in our culture...but don't you agree that we, as a society, might be showing too much of our old Jingoistic traits and perhaps just a bit of national ignorance and niavete about the Arab culture if we allow a blogger's suggestion that there is an association between a kaffiyeh and terrorism to stand...and influence the marketing decisions of such a good corporate citizen as Dunkin' Donuts?   I agree with the comment made by Amahl Bishara in an article in thestar.com, who said: "Kaffiyehs are worn everyday on the street by Palestinians and other people in the Middle east - by people going to work, going to school, taking care of their families, and just trying to keep warm. To reduce their meaning to support of terrorism has a tacit racist tone to it." 
Dunkin' Donuts: Take the spot out of the can and air it. Don't be influenced by the kooks.
What do you think? We invite you to join the conversation if you'd like.

Crispin Crunchtime

Hard to separate the news from the snark, but it seems like Boulder's wonder frat boys have been falling a bit flat lately -- and damn if the industry isn't doing a big of a Brittany on them? First it was the somewhat deflated welcome to the new VW campaign (David Hasselhoff!) and the generic line, "Das Auto." Then, Nike pulls out. I'm sure they are hitting a lot of balls out of the park, but they don't seem to resonate as much as those glimpses of them in all their natural, well, splendor. Stay tuned. Will corporate America keep giving the Boulder boys a 'gimme' as easily?

Slogan of the day

Das Auto

Edisonism of the day

Your worth consists in what you are and not in what you have.

Edisonism of the day

When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will.

Holy Soaps!

We were speaking to a friend over the weekend who works in a technical/creative function on a national soap opera. Although business continues to chug along in heartbreak land, there are rumblings of trouble in dystopia. It seems that the general media value erosion that is sinking everything else is causing belt-tightening even at General Days of Our Lives As the World Turns-ville. Our buddy was saying, if only someone could figure out a way for the shows to keep getting paid? We're working on it, we're working on it!!!

Edisonism of the day

What you are will show in what you do.

Slogan of the day

See the USA in a Chevrolet

Agency 4367.0

News today from Kathy Taylor over at Adverganza.blogspot.com as well as the ad trades that the venerable William Morris Agency (I think they were Bob Hope's agents or something) have boldly decided to jump the shark, oh, I mean, jump the queue to the front of the new technology-monetization-advertising-talent-there's-no more-music/publishing/movie business model by boldly minting a new shop. The name, Agency 3.0. Well, sorry you guys, we are way ahead of you. We are already creating work for an agency called, Agency 4367.0. How does this work? Well, allow me to give you an example. Say you have a product you want to sell. Say it's, oh, I don't know, Snickers. So, this is how Agency 4367.0 handles it. We get a brain scan of George Clooney eating a Snickers bar (through our exclusive arrangement with his representation) and take that scan, and project it to diodes implanted in the minds of millions, no billions of humans, diodes that exactly replicate not only the exact tastes and sensations of Mr. Clooney's brain as he devours the candy bar, but also replicate his dashing haircut. This gives the entire audience the feeling that they ARE IN FACT George Clooney eating a Snickers bar. So, what do they do? They stop whatever it is they are doing (driving a bus, taking a test, practicing the backhand volley, running th free world) and grab a Snickers bar. Pure media-agnostic algorithm driven celebrity anchored brilliance. So, all we can say to William Morris and Agency 3.0 -- nice knowing you!!!