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Capitalizing on popularity

Posted on by Brian Lee

I recently saw a trailer for a new Fox’s cartoon that made me irrationally irritated.  And by new I of course mean the television version of the 2004 movie “Napoleon Dynamite.”

Now, it’s not that I dislike the movie. To be honest, I haven’t seen the movie all the way through.  I have seen enough bits and pieces to understand the cultural references but I doubt I’ll ever sit down and watch it in its entirety. It’s just one of those movies where it isn’t necessary for me.

My annoyance stems from the movie being eight years old!  If this show came out in 2005 when all the “Vote for Pedro” shirts were popular and everyone doing terrible job impersonating Jon Heder then I wouldn’t have an issue.

I will never hate on someone trying to capitalize on their cultural niche. But you have to move fast.  It doesn’t make sense to wait because you’ll lose the momentum, which is the reason people take interest in sequels, endorsements, merchandise, etc.  I mean come on, think about those kids from the Jersey Shore.  Eight years from now, do you believe anyone is buying Snooki perfume or the Situation’s workout DVD? It’s doubtful.  So I hope they put their name on everything and jump on any spinoff offered! Make that money while you can!

It just doesn’t make sense for a “Napoleon Dynamite” show in 2012. But maybe I am wrong.  Maybe there is a huge nerd following that’s been waiting for years to have Napoleon and crew back in their lives.  I guess I’ll have to wait and see.

New threat to political ads

Posted on by Brian Lee

Political advertising in Iowa appears to be “politics as usual.” This December, $10 million was spent on television and radio ads in Iowa by Republican candidates and, to a larger extent, Super PACs.

$10 million could feed 40 million hungry children! This kind of spending, however, is not new to politics. And there’s nothing new about public disgust over the wastefulness of spending millions of dollars on political ads.

What’s new is the possibility of nominating a presidential candidate that has yet to spend a penny on advertising.

Thanks to Americans Elect, a nonpartisan nonprofit whose mission is to nominate a presidential candidate through an online voting process, there is a real possibility of having a third option on the ballot in 2012. A candidate chosen by the people and the issues, not advertising, and not a political party.

Advertisements do play a role in politics–mainly to inform the public that otherwise wouldn’t pay attention to politics, about the candidates. Yet it’s long overdue we have an alternative to choosing a candidate by the amount of money they spend on advertising, trying to sway public opinion with empty slogans, little information and misleading attack ads.

If Americans Elect succeeds in getting a third candidate on the ballot without spending big bucks on ads, people may decide it is no longer necessary to donate money to primary election campaigns.

A world with no political ads? I think I’ll survive just fine.

I guess I’m a mean one, Mr. Grinch

Posted on by Emilie Buckman

Not to be a Grinch but I am ready for the holiday season to be over.

Well, let me clarify a bit.  I am ready for the holiday advertising season to be over.  Don’t take that the wrong; there a plenty of wonderful, sentimental ads that come out around this time of year. But they start running immediately after Halloween and by the time Christmas comes along its pure overkill. After a while they lose all their meaning and purpose!

It is especially bad for me when holiday ads are recycled from year to year.  I’ll use the Lexus commercials to prove my point. Each season they push their December to Remember with basically identical ads.  It’s the same premise every ad, every year:  elaborate plot to reveal the car adorn with a large, red bow on top. And to make worse I still don’t understand the purpose of the ad or the sale, for that matter.  I don’t know why someone, who would buy a Lexus for a present in the first place, would need a commercial to convince them or why a sale would make a difference in the purchase! If you can afford to give a present like that I assume you’re not too concerned about sales!

But then again, maybe I am a Grinch.  Or maybe I just need Santa to find some complicated way to give me a new Lexus with giant, albeit equally pricey, bow on top! Yes, I think that would definitely make my heart grow three sizes! Well even if I don’t find a new car this Sunday, I can at least find solace in knowing the holiday advertising season will soon be over!  Hope you have a happy and safe holilday!