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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!

Celebrity spokespeople

Posted on by Brian Lee

I was watching a Kia commercial featuring Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, and I thought to myself, wow he is one un-charismatic spokesperson. What are advertisers thinking when they choose such boring celebrity spokespeople?

Griffin endorses Kia, AT&T and Subway, among others. That’s odd to me, since Griffin is not even a fan favorite; for example, his jersey is not even in the top 10 most popular, according to the NBA.

Remember, there are criteria for picking a celebrity spokesperson. First, they have to be credible, and I highly doubt Griffin is. For example, what does he really know about Vizio products? Why isn’t he endorsing more athletic apparel?

There also has to be brand compatibility, and it seems unrealistic that Griffin would ever drive a Kia or eat at Subway in real life. The only criteria he fits is attractiveness, and that’s because he’s a good basketball player. However, his robot-like personality diminishes that attractiveness.

Think Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. They were good athletes and they were charismatic. These aforementioned brands should have spent the money on somebody else.

The Packers brand

Posted on by Emilie Buckman

I mentioned before I grew up in Green Bay, Wis., but for this post it bears repeating.  As a born and raised resident of Titletown my perception of what it means to be from an NFL city is skewed.  I grew up assuming every other city with a NFL franchise produced fans with the same furious loyalty as the Packers.  They don’t.  I say this not to take away from the dedication of other teams’ fans but it is just not the same.

Look at last week’s stock sale to help pay for expansions to Lambeau Field.  In 48 hours, almost three-fourths of the shares were sold and they have until February to sell the remaining! Now it’s important to note owning stock in the Packers doesn’t have the same perks as having stock in other companies.  While ownership in the Packers does give shareholders voting rights, it doesn’t increase in value, no dividends paid annually, and no ticket privileges! Basically, buying stock in the Packers is equal to giving them money and expecting nothing, except the feeling of ownership, in return.  (Specifically, they are giving them $250 a share with nothing in return!)

Could any other team expect the same turnout?  In my opinion, no.  It is a testament to the brand the Packers have built.  It’s the only team in the NFL that is community owned, which allows fans to be invested, not only financially but personally.  Again, I am not trying to take away from loyalty of other teams’ fans.  I am merely pointing out the uniqueness of the Packers brand and how it resonates with fans.

Consider the issue the Minnesota Vikings are facing.  Without a new stadium, the owners are threatening to move the franchise to LA.  This would never happen in Green Bay, partially because the Packers can’t leave and partially because the fans would never allow it.  Green Bay needs the Packers, that’s obvious, but the Packers need Green Bay just as much.  Belonging to a small community gives the Packers a special standing in their community other teams in larger markets can’t duplicate.