Numero Uno: The Grammys. Lame. What happened to the presentation of awards? What happened to rock music? What happened to movie actresses staying movie actresses and not becoming recording artists? What happened to diversity of nominees? What happened to classy speeches (dixie chics)? Why is every program on network television using ‘american idol’ skams to boost ratings? I’m calling this Grammys ‘the night that music died’. My apologies go out to Imogen Heap for having to endure a long night of sitting just knowing that there was no way in hell (or America) that you would win over an american idol. We still think you’re the best.
Numero Dos: The Sprint commercial featuring the Powe(red) phone. Sprint will donate a percentage of the sale to help fight AIDS in Africa when you buy a red phone. Probably the tackiest display of using humor for a horific and global epidemic. Pardon my French, but holy shit. Who approved this ad? What ad agency was responsible for production? One of the top marketing blunders I have ever witnessed. Just another reason to not use Sprint. I’m sure the commercial will appear on YouTube tomorrow and I don’t think I’m overreacting.
Numero Tres: The Duke Bluedevils continue to be on the front page of ESPN.com’s college basketball section everyday even with a losing record and no way of being in contention of the title come tournament time. When will the politics stop and the focus turn to the talented teams?
“Hey, how’s everyone else doing?”
14 responses so far ↓
mike // February 12, 2007 at 3:01 pm |
i searched around for the commercial, but no luck. will you post the link if you happen to find it? i’d like to see it.
donna // February 12, 2007 at 4:40 pm |
did you see the look on Imogen Heap’s face when they announced that Carrie Underwood won instead of her? classic. and seriously, the Dixie Chicks?!? come on. actually, i think you and rustin’s blogs say it all. booooo!
getitgotitgoods // February 12, 2007 at 4:56 pm |
mike, i will definitely post the link. many will think that it is no big deal, but even thinking of combining tongue-in-cheek humor with AIDS/Africa is appalling, especially from a global company like Sprint.
Rustin Smith // February 12, 2007 at 5:58 pm |
Yes and yes. You can really get a skewed view of the world (music, basketball, aids) from watching television. The best record of the year? It wasn’t even the best Dixie Chicks record. They should have given them an award saying “the third best Dixie Chicks record” goes to…the Dixie Chicks for their third best record. Yea! Reality!
Lardawg // February 12, 2007 at 8:30 pm |
Sprint keeps the electricity flowing at my house. It’s ok to love Africa and Sprint.
Rustin Smith // February 12, 2007 at 8:54 pm |
I am 100% committed loyal customer to Sprint (until I can get an iPhone).
getitgotitgoods // February 12, 2007 at 9:51 pm |
Yes, I too will be leaving my beloved T-Mobile for my iPhone experience.
clark // February 12, 2007 at 10:24 pm |
the sports world is listening to you. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2763074&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
of course, their losing will continue to make headlines.
mike // February 13, 2007 at 5:06 am |
i saw the commercial tonight and it was absolutely appalling. it was shamefully insensitive.
getitgotitgoods // February 14, 2007 at 3:38 am |
see, i don’t make this stuff up.
Nate // February 15, 2007 at 12:25 am |
I agree about the commercial PRIT-TEE LAAAYM
On the other hand though, cmon’, the Grammy’s –
Police Reunion… YES!!!
Christina Aguilera… OMG – she can sing and move like no one!!!
The three generation soul set with Smokey, Lionel, and uh, who? I’d watch ‘tracks of my tears’ and ‘hello’ again any day. And those little kids breakdancing was pretty cool…
PEACE OUT
Sally // February 16, 2007 at 5:30 am |
Can someone describe the ad? I saw a Sprint Red Phone ad tonight that doesn’t seem to fit with what you are talking about. It was pretty straight forward and didn’t try to use any humor.
Though I will say that I think all this (RED) stuff is kind of annoying. Ever since I started watching The Apprentice, I learned just how much “charitable products” are just a marketing gimick. “A portion of the proceeds” means a portion of the profit. The company still takes most of the profit. I’d MUCH rather give $250 straight to whatever foundation this is for than buy their crappy red phone for $250 and have only $10 go to the foundation. But I can’t rag on the (RED) promotion too much because I do think it is doing a good job of raising awareness, and every little bit adds up.
mike // February 16, 2007 at 7:21 pm |
essentially, it went like this: “when you buy this phone, a part of the proceeds goes to fighting AIDS in Africa. PLUS, you get this awesome red phone that your friends will notice! … that is, if all that Africa stuff doesn’t do it for you.” I’m under no illusion that corporations actually care about anything but profit. most charitable promotions are designed to hook in new customers and fatten the bottom line. you can make the argument that at least something is going to AIDS/Africa, but i disagree that all publicity is good publicity. lack of awareness is not the problem — the problem is indifference. this commercial (and the promotion) enable people to stay safely distanced from the ugly situation and yet simultaneously feel as if they have contributed to a solution. and all the while satisfying the most (least) important thing — having a cooler phone than your friends. it not only enables indifference, but promotes it. shameful.
(RED) Campaign Update « AlmostEverything // March 6, 2007 at 6:05 pm |
[...] $$ situation for the (RED) campaign..you know, that stupid Sprint commercial I bitched about awhile back? (via [...]