Through These Eyes of Mine

Help End the Strike!!!

2007-11-16T16:40:00.000-05:00

Written By Rick Ellis, Friday, November 16th, 2007

In the days since the members of the Writers Guild Of America (WGA) went out on strike, I've heard from hundreds of readers all asking the same question. What can TV fans do to help bring this strike to a conclusion?

Like the majority of the people I've heard from, I'm sympathetic to much of the WGA's position, and I certainly don't want to argue that the union should settle before coming to an equitable deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). But at this point, getting everyone talking seriously again might require some encouragement.

TV fans have been very vocal in their support of the writers of their favorite shows, and much of the discussion about the strike has centered around the television wing of the WGA. Primarily because the TV side will feel the effects of the strike much quicker.

The consensus until now has been that the motion picture industry can weather a six month strike without any horrific consequences. Between films that have already been completed and ones in the pipeline (plus scripts that are in shape to shoot), movie theaters will have new product for months to come.

And that's a challenge to people trying to force AMPTP back to the bargaining table. How do you impact their bottom line sufficiently to make negotiation the most reasonable choice for economic health? When you're dealing with a multinational studio, simply taking some TV shows off the air isn't enough. You need to hit them across the board.

That's why I'm suggesting that each and every one of you pledge to stay away from the movie theaters over the long Thanksgiving weekend. That weekend is vital to the motion picture industry, and those box office numbers are watched and reported by every media outlet. If enough people stay away to impact that number even slightly, it will send a message to all sides that its time to sit down and negotiate a fair deal.

This plan isn't some empty PR stunt, it's not something that can be easily ignored like online petitions or the mailing of four cents to studio heads.

This strike is about the bottom line, and the only thing that bring it to a close is an economic cost. As consumers, we need to show the powers that be that we have an interest here. And that we are willing to exercise our leverage if necessary. A Thanksgiving weekend boycott will hit the studios in the pocketbook, and will be impossible to ignore.

So I'm asking all of you to refrain from visiting your local movie theater between Wednesday, November 21st and Sunday, November 25th. If you want to encourage other people to do the same, that's great. But just the act of skipping a movie or two--particularly if you're planning on going already--will be an action that can truly make a difference in this strike.

I do want to be clear about something. While I have written extensively about the strike (including in our writers strike blog), this idea came strictly from myself and the rest of the staff here at AllYourTV.com. I didn't coordinate this idea with anyone, including the WGA.

Now go out there and share the word.

And have yourself a happy movie-free Thanksgiving.

Check out this blog

2007-11-08T16:58:00.000-05:00

http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/

Remembering September 11, 2001

2007-09-11T11:36:00.000-04:00

Six years ago today, also on a Tuesday, I was sitting in the Dentists office having a troublesome tooth extracted. As the dentist and his assistant were running about the office, letting the Novocain kick in a bit before starting work on my tooth, I lay in the reclined chair listening to the piped in radio. It was Magic 107.7, playing their light contemporary music when they broke in to announce that a plane that crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City.

Not much information was known at that point. I remember sitting there, thinking how strange it was that a plane hadn’t been able to see the tower and maneuver out of its way. That’s when the second newsbreak interrupted the soothing music. A second plane had collided with the second of the World Trade Center towers. That is no coincidence, I thought.

I listened as much s I could before the dentist returned to yank my tooth out. Slightly distracted, I only noticed the pressure of him pulling out the molar, and hearing the cracking of the tooth, as he had to break it apart to get it out. I felt no pain, thankfully, and when he was finished, he packed the tooth and sent me on my way.

All the way back to the office, (yes, I went back to work) I was listening as the coverage of the plane crashes consumed the airwaves. Not sure what to think, I ran over the many possibilities that could have lead to such a tragic accident. I don’t remember it ever occurring to me in those first few hours that it was a terrorist attack. Then the first building came down, followed shortly by the second. Sending plumes of smoke and debris through out the city, injuring the people who were still out on the street.

Not long afterwards, the world learned that a plane had also crashed into the impenetrable Pentagon, and a fourth plane had crashed somewhere in Pennsylvania, apparently failing to accomplish it’s mission. It was only later that we learned that the truly brave men and women on that plane overpowered the terrorists and brought the plane down, before it could hit its intended target, The White House. And then we heard those now famous, and soul stirring words, “Let’s Roll.”

The atmosphere at the government office where I was working at the time was tense. People had there radios tuned in, TV’s turned on. Many went home for lunch, as did I, and watched anxiously as the rescue efforts ensued. It was so surreal. I couldn’t believe this was happening. The gravity of the situation, two seemingly indestructible buildings crumbling to the ground, part of the pentagon reduced to rubble, and a failed attempt on the White House. It seemed too much to handle. All I could do was pray for those people who had lost their lives, for those who survived and the families of all those brave men and women who ran into a burning building while everyone else was running out.

Six years later, it is still very clear in my mind. It’s something that a person doesn’t easily forget, even if they were (as I was) a thousand miles away. To say that I was completely unaffected would be in accurate. How anyone could claim that it didn’t affect them would seem ludicrous. The world hasn’t been he same since…and I doubt it ever will be again.

Like those who experienced the events of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 those memories will forever be imprinted in the story that is each and every American’s life. We will never forget. I will never forget.

What do you remember from that day? Where were you on September 11, 2001?

Walkers for Knockers

2007-09-11T10:22:00.001-04:00

Dear Coworkers, Friends and Family,

This year, hundreds of thousands of people will hear the words “You have breast cancer,” and there’s a good chance that some of them will be people we know and love. I have chosen to fight back against this disease and help make a difference by participating in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk … and I hope you will join me.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is our opportunity to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate women about early detection and prevention, and raise money to fund lifesaving research and support programs to help fight breast cancer. But Making Strides is more than just the name of a walk, it describes the amazing progress we can make if we work together to defeat this disease.

Below is a link to my personal page. I hope you will visit my site and sign up to join my team, Walkers for Knockers. If you prefer, you can start your own team, sign up to walk as an individual, or make a donation. Hope starts with me and it can continue with you. Please join my team and walk with us to experience an incredible day of inspiration and meaning, and to provide hope for all people facing breast cancer.

To donate now, use this link to visit my personal page.

Sincerely,

Donna Cooper

PS-Women across the world will appreciate your support. Every person has a woman in their lives...every person can help support the women they love...even if you don't have knockers! ;-)

MTV~PLAY MORE VIDEOS!!!

2007-09-10T13:11:00.000-04:00

MTV might be sitting around wondering what’s happened to their ratings and their audience base over the last, um, lets say 15 years. Here’s a clue—Music Television has little to do with music and more to do with CRAP! About 90% of their programming is reality shows like The Hills, My Super Sweet 16—which gives American teens a bad rap as spoiled rotten, good-for-nothing brats—stupid dating shows like Date My Mom, Next, and shows that break up relationships and instill upon America’s youth that infidelity is okay.

The only time you can catch a music video is early in the morning with Wake-Up, and TRL, which interrupts most songs anyway with stupid comments from fans, and a few other 1 hour time slots that play a few videos. Does MTV even do a top 20 countdown anymore? Oh, wait! VH1 does that.

It used to be that 90% of MTV’s programming was music videos or music related. There was a smattering of frivolous programming like classic game shows like Remote Control, Singled-Out and great series’ like Daria, Beavis and Butthead, Sifl and Olly, and other great, creative shows. Even VH1, who seemed to not be selling out, finally bit the bullet and started showing more reality TV than music-related fare. Even the Real World used to be a great card up the sleeve of the network. I quit watching it after New Orleans, that’s when it stopped being “real.” Now if you want to watch more music videos you have go to the more obscure MTV channels that most basic cable subscribers don’t have access too, or download them off the Internet.

Having grown up on MTV and VH1 in their heyday, I have since quit watching, except on such occasions as last nights VMA’s that warrant a peek. After being embarrassed by watching Britney Spears’ comeback farewell performance, I quickly switched the channel to something more appealing. The Italian Job was on FX and I found that a lot more palatable than anything MTV had to offer.

At one point, I flipped back to see if I could catch some awards being given out, when I saw Justin Timberlake and Timbaland taking the stage accept an award. It was then that Justin made a comment that should have rocked MTV’s world. He said loud and clear, “Play more videos!” Yes! Yes! I started cheering from the couch in my living room some 2000 miles away. After all, that is what MTV is supposed to be about, right? The music?

Hopefully, MTV will take JT’s advice and change things up a bit over there. Though, I’m not going to hold my breath. You would think, though, that since Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, too are such power players on the music scene that they might be able to effect some sort of change over there.

It used to be that MTV was the place where artists and bands to showcase their acts. Now…well, they only get to strut their stuff a few times a year like at the VMA’s or in the wee hours of the morning when music videos actually play.

Anyone remember what MTV’s typical program schedule used to be like?

Ooops, Brit Does It Again! - Britney Spears Bombs VMA Performance

2007-09-10T11:21:00.000-04:00

Just mere moments ago the world witnessed Ms. Britney Spears in her much anticipated comeback. The world was holding it's collective breath as the lights dimmed and the music began. The anticipation was at a fever pitch as the audience, and the millions of viewers at home awaited this much delayed moment.

Heh. Really? No, not really. I think most people actually wanted to see her blow it...and blow it she did!

Don't get me wrong. The song is good, but it's not GREAT. The performance opened up on the back of Britney's craptastic weave and then zoomed out to get a nice shot of her ass hanging out the back of her shorts. What's new there, right? Well, thinking back to that historic performance with the snake, Brit Brit has lost something along the mind...other than her mind, that is.

Her performance was lifeless...It reminded me of Sandra Bullock in Ms.Congeniality when she was thrown into the midst of a beauty pageant with no experience or IDEA what she was doing. It was painfully obvious that she hadn't rehearsed nearly as much as she should have (Britney, that is).

As I watched, it looked as though the brown-eyed-turned-blue girl wasn't quite sure what the words were, which didn't really matter since she was lip syncing anyway...and her movements seemed contrived and not very confident. It's sad really. Britney Spears used to have such a presence on stage, but that seems to have gone out the window (with her sanity).

I don't know if maybe it was nerves, having not done a show this big in quite some time, or if she is simply not the star she used to be. You could see it on the faces of the crowd. 50 Cent looked embarrassed and confused, Rihanna was laughing with her friend (at her, not with Brit), and others just had the same look when someone does something embarrassing and you just look the other way to pretend you hadn't noticed. OUCH!

Sad, sad, sad!

Poor Brit Brit. I had high hopes... NOT!

Actually, I take it back. I do feel bad for her. It was obvious that she wasn't ready for this. She looked visibly nervous and seemed like she wasn't able to concentrate. Poor girl. I mean, the song is not bad. It's actually quite good, she just needs to polish up her act a bit.

Come on Brit! We know you can do it!

There’s No Place for Products Anymore

2007-07-05T16:36:00.000-04:00

I will be the first to admit that I am a fan of DVR and TiVO. I know I shouldn’t be so willing to openly admit that, since I am in the advertising industry, but what can I say. It’s not that I don’t like watching commercials, its just I get really into the shows I am watching and don’t like them to be interrupted. I would prefer to just be able to skip right to the next segment with out any interruption. But since that is not possible with out DVR or TiVO, the commercials must be sacrificed. Sorry, Commercials.

This is the attitude of many TV watchers all across the country, and even the world. They either prefer to fast-forward through commercials or to be able to watch it later, if they can’t watch it when it actually airs. Since the inception of being able to capture programming on film, people have been fast-forwarding through commercials at an alarming rate. Now, with the revolution that is DVR and TiVO people don’t have to waste money on tapes…they can just store it on their digital recording unit, just like a computer.

The downside of this fantastic technology? None that really matter too much. Sure, the cable bill might go up a few extra dollars, but that’s to be expected. Everything goes up. What really happens in a society where people fast forward through unsolicited and irritating commercials is we start to see products (that we’d normally see in those pesky commercials) pop up in our favorite TV shows, music videos and movies.

If advertisers can’t get you to watch their commercials the traditional way, they’ll pay to have the likes of T.I. (rapper) flash you a nice shot of his Nokia phone in his latest video. Or, Will Smith will tell you what kind of shoes he’s wearing in his latest movie. The point is that traditional mediums aren’t working any more, so advertisers are forced to resort to new and inventive ways of getting their message seen and heard.

Product placement is just one of those creative ways to get their brand or product out there. Now, this isn’t exactly a NEW practice, though it’s more prevalent than ever. It started to gain popularity in the 80’s. For example, who remembers what Eliot was using to lure “E.T.” out of the shed? More recent examples of product placement in television and film include (as I mentioned before) I, Robot, where Will Smith responds to a question about his shoes, stating that they are “Converse. Vintage 2004,” Minority Report were Tom Cruise enters a Gap store, The Office who features HP computers, and every one has seen every day products featured in TV shows and movies like different brands of soda, or food items.

Not everyone is happy about the onslaught of product placement. There are watchdog groups out there that don’t appreciate the method of “sneaking in” an advertisement. The consumer group known as Commercial Alert feels that it is “an affront to basic honesty,” and asks for full disclosure of product placement agreements. One main reason they advocate this is to protect children who are more easily influenced by product placement.

To each his own, I suppose. In this day and age, however, it’s getting harder and harder for advertisers to get their message heard. So, if they have to resort to making movies and TV shows more realistic by placing products we actually want, need and use in it, then so be it. As long as it doesn’t get so out of hand that they start making entire movies based around a product I’ll be happy.

Oh wait…they already did that. Ooops!

Brand Revolution: Nike+ and Apple iPod Join Forces

2007-06-12T17:09:00.000-04:00

In today’s society, especially with the generation Y coming of age, we expect more from the things we purchase. Everything should serve more than one purpose. Take cell phones for example. Used to be that cell phones served only one purpose: to allow you to get them on the phone, or for them to reach you, when you are out and about. Now, Cell phones not only give you the capability of reaching anyone anywhere in the world at any given time, but you can text message them, check your email, take pictures, record videos, keep track of dates, and even listen to music. That’s just the shortlist of what cell phones are capable off.

Electronics aren’t the only things we expect more from. In fact, it’s the name on that piece of electronic equipment that has the task of meeting and exceeding our expectations. When you buy a car, you consider a number of things before you decide on a particular make or model. But once you’ve chosen a brand, your next car is likely to be from that same family…if the car company has succeeded in making you a loyal customer to their brand.

And how do they do this? Not only by providing you with a quality product, but just by purchasing that product you have purchased a piece of equity in that brand. The longer you stay loyal, the more you get out of that brand. Lifetime oil changes, or free loaner cars when your car is in the shop, for example.

The best example so far of a brand working for a consumer is Nike. The new Nike+ “is revolutionizing marketing,” says Nick Law of R/GA, “people are beginning to expect more from a brand than a witty narrative, and Nike+ redefines how a brand can reach it’s audience through meaningful enabling experiences.” Nike, however, didn’t do it alone. While they are the driving force behind the campaign, they partnered with Apple’s iPod to introduce an innovative system that uses the athletic legacy of the Nike brand and the technological mastery of the iPod to broaden both the individual and interactive sport of running, says creativity magazine.

The Nike+ campaign has successfully changed the way we think about brands. With their integrated campaign you not only use their product (the shoes), but then you sync the receiver to your computer and you can connect to others like you from around the world and compare statistics and compete against each other.

It works by placing a sensor in your specially adapted shoes and a receiver in your iPod. Once you activate your shoes, (yes, I said activate your shoes) the sensor begins to communicate with your iPod, giving you up to the minute information regarding your speed, time, distance, and calories burned. From there, you begin running, listening to your favorite running music. By pressing the center button on your iPod, you tell it to play your “power song” to give you that extra boost you need to get your energy up.

Today, a company’s brand is its meal ticket. If consumers aren’t loyal to the brand, or if the brand stops providing it’s consumer with quality products and reasons to keep coming back, it will disappear. With a company like Nike, the brand is pretty well established. But, just because it’s been around for a long time doesn’t mean that it can’t fade from people’s consciousness. If they didn’t continuously strive to give their consumers, more Nike wouldn’t be the success that it is today. It’s with award winning ideas and campaigns like Nike+, and connecting their brand with such forward thinking companies like Apple that takes Nike to the next level, and keeps them at the top of the heap, among its competitors.

Part of offering more to the consumer is providing fully integrated marketing campaigns. By partnering with Apple, Nike was able to make its product interactive and allow the user to connect with thousands of likeminded consumers around the world. It has provided a setting for runners to go and chat with other runners and compare notes. This also translates into a great Word of Mouth campaign as users will tell their fellow friends about the product who will pass on the message to more of their friends.

Today’s consumers are smarter than ever before, so you can’t rely on the same tactics that used to work in the past, such as basing a campaign on a single Unique Selling Position (USP). Consumers are way too savvy for that. Now, you have to start by identifying the brand, then define a position (or positions) that keep on working for the end user. Campaigns need to use several messages for selling the same product, not just one.

What we do at Benedict Advertising is work with our clients to help identify their brand. Once we have identified their brand we strive to manage it so it constantly resonates and is always up to date with its consumers wants and needs. By providing an identity, and unique experiences that allows our clients to interact with a brand, we build a base of consumers that are loyal to our clients. That is the goal of any agency.

Let the revolution begin.

News of Interest-Jericho, Esmee Denters, Justin Timberlake, Paris Hilton, and Benedict Advertising

2007-06-12T14:58:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading an article about Dan Rather’s “sexist” comments regarding Katy Couric and her role as the first solo female news anchor and at the end of the article, in seemingly unrelated news, was a blurb that impressed upon me the growing influence of bloggers and other Internet users.

It came as a shock during last months Network Upfronts in New York where thy announced the line up for next fall that CBS was canceling the critically acclaimed show Jericho. But now, according to the news article, thanks to an Internet campaign started by disgruntled viewers the show has been given a second chance. As part of the campaign, organizers delivered thousands of pounds of peanuts to CBS’s corporate offices (which was a reference from the season finale).

I don't know if you have heard of this relatively unknown singer, Esmee Denters, but I came across her on YouTube only about two weeks ago. Today, I saw a news article about Justin Timberlake signing this YouTube Phenomenon to a recording contract. She became hugely popular on the video repository by singing her favorite songs including JT's "What Comes Around Goes Around". She racked up over 3.5 million views to date.

There is certainly an untapped resource in the blogging world with regards to advertising and marketing. Recently, we posted a link on a blog site and asked the bloggers to check out our website and tell us what they thought. We also posted a video on YouTube from our recent Taco Eating Contest. From the blog location we received nearly 300 unique visits and a ton of comments. The video on our website was viewed 78 times from that same portal, and the one posted on YouTube has resulted in 150+ clickthroughs to our website.

I just wonder how much of a factor the public outcry from bloggers and others around the world played in getting Paris put back behind bars. If we had ignored it and kept our mouths shut would she be still sitting in her house? Hmm...

Now, if bloggers can get a network to reinstate a cancelled show, get a girl from the Netherlands a recording contract, and can generate a considerable increase in website traffic just from one post, think of what else they can do? I’m going to postulate something here and say that maybe one day bloggers will rule the world! If they don’t like something they will stamp it down! If they love it and you try to take it away from them…they will bury you in peanuts!

She's Not the Only One!

2007-06-07T22:10:00.000-04:00

It's not often that I find myself on the same side as the Reverends' Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton. But for once I am glad they are here. As I'm sure most of the known world has already heard that Paris the Heiress has been released from her jail cell to fulfill the remainder of her sentence in the lap of luxury that is her own home.

WTF! No, this is worth spelling out...WHAT THE FUCK?

I don't know to what avail they will be able to reverse this serious miscarriage of justice, but whatever they try I'm behind them all the way! (Even if it is from 2500 miles away) I can't believe that the Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney thought they'd be able to get away with this with there not being a huge media fall out.

I was on the MSN forum regarding this topic and in the time it took me to post my coment 40 more pages had been added. 40 pages! When I went back to check it around 3 pm, it had jumped to nearly 900 with almost 10,000 comments. You think she'll be able to sweep this one under the rug? Paris Haters had kept largely to themselves up to this point, being that "hating" on her too much would be a waste of their precious time, and she didn't deserve it. But, rest assured that now, it's on! She is going to be a free for all, and I don't know many people who would pass up an opportunity to join the club.

She has sunken to an all time low if you ask me. She had a opportunity to finally be a responsible adult and own up to the consequences of her actions and she blew it. AND, she wasn't alone. The entire justice system of the State of California were sitting there right next to her, holding her hand, and wiping her nose.

Mental Anxiety? That's the best excuse they could come up with to let her weasle out of her sentence? I'm sorry but I've known people who were incarcerated and have had a much worse time coping with it than her, and you don't see them sitting on house arrest instead. They've had children die while in jail, and do you think they were allowed out to attend the funeral? Absolutely not!

So, why is Paris so special? She's not even a decent role model! I mean, at least Michelle Rodriguez (who served less than a day of her sentence) isn't an abominable excuse for a human being. If Paris had contributed more to society than paper to wipe my ass with, then maybe I'd say, "okay, fine...3 days is enough." Hell, I'd have been okay with it if they had just said that we're letting her off due to "overcrowding and good behavior." But, letting her out because of the mental anxiety?

So what if she is crying all the time, not sleeping, and not eating? She should have thought about that before she considered getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, and then proceeded to violoate her probation TWICE! (I don't care what she says, she was wrong!)

Well, I've had a couple of hours to cool down and have had a new perspective thrust upon me in those few hours. I went to an "end of the year" social for Kenny's Engineering Society and met the most interesting people I think I've ever had the pleasure of encoutering. And I couldn't help but draw a comparison between this couple and Paris. It just throws into sharp relief the difference between people regaurdless of their level of affluence.

The people I met tonight were very wealthy...maybe not as rich as the Hilton's but just the same. You couldn't tell it by looking at them, or even talking to them for that matter. They were so down to earth and genuinely good people. They have led amazing lives that are filled with connections with people they've touched. They've made a difference in peoples lives.

This couple is moving to India and a few weeks where they have servants and drivers and will basically be living in the lap of luxury. But, they also take their driver to the doctor when he gets an infection (and pay the bill) and they all get their teeth cleaned together. You think Paris would give to shits if her driver had to have surgery on his feet because of the many years spent walking around barefoot? My guess is she'd probably fire him, and leave him to take care of it himself.

The conclusion that I've come to is that even if Paris had no money at all, she'd still be a miserable excuse for a human being. That's a pretty harsh thing to say, but seriously, what good has she done with all the money she has? What charities has she stood for? How many young girls has she talked to about the importance of getting a good education and respecting themselves enough to not sleep around with every guy you meet?

There are alot of people out there who have amazing advice to give. But it seems the only way anyone will listen to them is if they have a lot of money and are a celebrity. So, given that she has all this money (that she didn't earn) and that every girl over the age of 8 knows who Paris Hilton is, why doesn't she try to set a better example.

The only reason I was so glad that she was actually going to jail was because I knew that while incarcerated she would have to face what type of person she is. But, now, thanks to the monkey's sitting in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's Office (and the quack of doctor who certified that she was suffering from "mental anxiety") she gets to return to a slightly hindered version of her life.

Now, she doesn't have to spend 23 hours a day, alone with herself. She can call up her friends and have a party for the next 40 days if she likes. What could she have possibly learned in no more than 78 hours that could change her for the better? My bet is nothing!

I know for a fact that money isn't her problem. Being rich isn't what made her this way. I know plenty of very wealthy people who are stark contrasts of Paris Hilton. For starters, they actually earned their fortunes...they didn't just have it handed down to them.

Anyway, I think I've wasted enough of my (and your) time. I'll be placing bets to see when (in the next 40 days) she violotes again. Man, I hope she does! I'd like to see her wriggle out of that one...alas, she probably will though...the snake that she is.

Surprise!...There is Still Hope for the Future!

2007-05-29T21:20:00.001-04:00

So, as I've turned over a new leaf (eh, hem...trying to lose 20lbs) I went for a bike ride after I got back from Happy Hour at Pub 44 this evening. I know how strange that sounds, but it was rather innocent. I only had one drink!

Anyway, I stashed my cell phone in the pocket of my shorts because I don't like the feeling of riding around near dusk with out any form of communication if something should happen. As I'm rolling along, I pass by a bunch of adolecent boys enjoying the first balmy days of summer, riding their bikes and swooshing along on their skate boards.

I have to dodge off the sidewalk a few times, and into the road, as people are taking their pets for evening walks and I don't dare take the chance of riding to close to a dog that could very well jump up and bit me.

With the breeze keeping me cool and my mind trying to commit something to memory (I'm trying to remember the topic of the next article I want to write for work) I find myself in a new neighborhood that requires my full attention. Since I'm not too familiar with the surrounding I have to put my article out of my mind in order to make sure I don't fall off my bike.

It's then that I check my pocket (for some unknown reason) for my cell phone. IT'S GONE! "Oh, Sh*t", I say aloud. Not only does it suck to have your right arm cut off, but I just got that one and spent about 10 bucks downloading new ringtones!

I immediately turn around and start back tracking, hoping against hope that I dropped it in the grass infront of my house. As I'm heading back in the direction I came, I remember the boys! "Damn it!" What are the chances that they would find a cell phone on the ground and just leave it there? In this day and age, and especially in my neighborhood...not likely! Infact, a snowball would have a better chance in hell, than my cell phone still laying in the grass, or on the sidewalk, or in the street after a gaggle of geeky boys cruised on by.

I passed two boys who were still out and about, but they made no gesture to me, and I was too focused on looking at the ground to notice anything suspicious. I made it all the way back to my house and searched the grass to no avail. I dared not ask Kenny for assistance as I would then be subjected to a lengthly lecture aboubt being irresposible with my things and that I should never have taken the phone with me in the first place.

It wasn't worth the trouble.

I hoped back on my bike and headed back to where I came. I suddenly had the sneaking suspicion that those boys weren't just hanging around for their heath. As I winged back around the corner, one of the boys was heading back in my direction. When he saw me, he stopped and looked at me. Then he turned and looked at his friend. I slowed down and asked if he had found a cell phone and he immediately started telling me that it had fallen out of my pocket and he tried to yell after me, telling me that I had dropped it. At this point, his friend had started coming my way, too, carrying my phone. He little one informed me that the battery had fallen out, and reittearated that he tried to call after me.

After handing my phone back to me, I replaced the batter and turned it back on. It still worked! I had no idea if it had fallen on the concrete or in the grass. My guess is the concrete, since the batter was knocked out. I guess the boys had been waiting at the location where I had dropped it, for me to (hopefully) come back. I thanked the boys for staying and waiting for me.

It is a refreshing thought to know that there are still kids out there who have respect for other people and their belongings. While, I know that those boys might not represent the majority of today's youth (or maybe they do and I've just been subjected to the minority), it still restores my faith just a little bit in the youth of America.

Cavemen Rule the World!

2007-05-24T11:32:00.000-04:00

What does it say of the state of TV land when execs are harvesting ideas from popular commercials? Creative drought or ingenious marketing tactic?

As the major networks spent the past week revealing their line-ups for next Fall, a buzz began over ABC’s decision to green light the creation of a 30-minute sitcom starring the now famous characters from the commercials. The three cavemen, originally played by John Lehr, Ben Webber, and Jeff Daniel Phillips in the commercials are set to be played by a new cast of Bill English, Dash Mihok, and Nick Kroll.

No word on why the original cavemen won’t be filling the roles.

While this seems like an original concept, making a series out of a popular commercial character, it isn’t the first time it’s been done. However, you’re not likely to remember the first attempt. Remember the old Quizno’s commercials with the annoying talking baby? Yeah, that was the first attempt. Lame, right? Well, in 2002 CBS decided to give it a shot. The show centered on a couple, played by Joely Fisher and Alan Arkin, whose infant son could (you guessed it) talk.

Amazingly enough, “Baby Bob” managed to last two seasons before getting the ax, so you could consider it somewhat successful. Given the passage of time, the show has passed from viewers’ consciousness (you can’t even find a clip on youtube). There is hardly more than a trace of it on the Internet with the exception of an entry on the Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB) and a few mentions in the news recently thanks to ABC taking a crack at the commercial-turned-sitcom genre.

From an advertising perspective, this is the epitome of branding success. What company wouldn’t want one of their brands to become so recognized and popular that it gets its own television show? GEICO is at the top of the advertising world at the moment, after churning out such entertaining and successful ads like, “Tiny House”, the GEICO Gecko, and the “Cavemen”. And, who can forget the commercials that made you think it was one commercial (where you’d either get really excited about the “make-believe” product or annoyed at the “infomercial”) only to have it turn out to be a GEICO ad. Since 1998, GEICO has seen their business rise from a $2.8 billion to an $11 billion dollar industry.

The question isn’t really WHY ABC has decided to do this, but HOW has it gotten to this point? Even though it’s not a popular trend (yet), if “Cavemen” ends up being a success you can probably expect to see this commercial-inspired type of television more frequently. What does that mean for the advertising industry? Nothing. It won’t change the way the ads are created or the purpose and intention of the ads. It will simply draw more attention to the creative power of the industry.

Television and Advertising industries are evolving, and rightly so. With the onslaught of DVR’s and the consumer’s ability to avoid commercials they don’t want to see, advertisers have had to come up with a new way to get their products seen. That comes in the form of product placement with in the show.

Now, does that mean that the Cavemen show is just going to be a half hour of shameless self-promotion by GEICO? Not exactly. While the copywriter who created the ads will be writing for the show, GEICO will have no creative control and will only receive royalties for the use of the characters.

What it does mean, however, is that the Advertising Industry’s power is having a greater effect on consumers than just getting them to buy the brand. With nearly 2 million views on YouTube, the Cavemen commercials are clearly capable of selling more than just car insurance. Time will tell if these characters have true staying power.

And, yes, like the Cavemen Ads, maybe a few ads here and there will have what it takes to be turned into TV shows. But, wait! Imagine the ad that goes on to inspires a movie! Who wouldn’t want to be working at that Agency?

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2007-05-23T22:21:00.000-04:00

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2007-05-16T16:03:00.000-04:00

http://benedictadv.com/blog/

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2007-05-16T15:20:00.000-04:00

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