Worse Than Reality Television: Michael Jackson's Face

Do we really need an hour long television special detailing the morphing of Michael Jackson's face? The news department at NBC thinks so. It will be a Dateline special that will air during February sweeps.

What's to know? He's got problems. He's ugly. What's the big deal?

Oh yea, silly of me. Ratings. That's what it's all about. So all you media buyers out there, go get this one.

Washington Post: NBC News Raises Eyebrows (washingtonpost.com)

Lifetime to Launch Magazine in April

An ad campaign is breaking today to promote the new magazine from Lifetime which will launch in April.

Dow Jones: Lifetime Magazine Gears Up for Launch With Promo Push
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Monster Launches Skilled & Hourly Ad During Super Bowl

Monster will launch a new ad to promote a new job service that will cater to the so called "blue collar" category of the workforce.

"Monster is the worldwide leader in connecting all types of job seekers and employers. The launch of our Skilled & Hourly brand expansion strengthens our 'Monster Works for Everybody' commitment," said Jeff Taylor, founder and chairman of Monster. "Skilled & Hourly is the latest example of how Monster continues to help every type of job seeker - from part-time hourly workers to full-time executives - connect with employers and quality job opportunities across all industries."

Yahoo PR: Monster Launches Skilled & Hourly Initiative During Super Bowl
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Chili's Copies Schlotzsky's. Schlotzsky's Give Chilis a Break

Sometimes it happens on purpose. Sometimes it is pure coincidence. This time it was a Chili's ad that ended up looking just like a Schlotzky's ad.

"We cracked up when we saw Chili's new ads that look like ours--same beatbox guy and a strikingly similar set," said John C. Wooley, president and CEO of Schlotzsky's, Inc. "Looks like a clone. Apparently the Raelians have landed at Chili's."

"Of course we're flattered," Wooley was quick to add. "Next year, we'll send our creative team to Chili's and pitch for their lucrative advertising account. We could sure use the money, and it looks like they could use an original commercial."

Wooley has invited the Chili's creative team to Austin TX to have a little fun and to make sure they truly know South Austin culture. If they pass his test, he'll politly let them of the "copyright" hook. Wouldn't it be nice if more situations like this resolved themselves this way?

Yahoo: Chili's Ads Give Nod of Approval to Schlotzsky's Deli Creative Team
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Golden Globe Winners

The old razzle-dazzle apparently worked on the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which gave "Chicago" three Golden Globe awards, including Best Motion Picture, Best Actress (Ren�e Zellweger), and Best Actor (Richard Gere), all in the Musical or Comedy category. It was the most honored movie of the night. Miramax was the big winner among studios, representing 10 of the 14 honorees.

Among TV honorees, "The Shield" was named best drama, and its star Michael Chiklis was named best actor in a drama. "The Gathering Storm" also won two awards, for Best TV Movie and Best Actor, for Albert Finney's portrayal of Winston Churchill. Of the 11 TV awards, 10 went to cable, with 7 of those going to HBO.

Entertainment Weekly: Here Are the Golden Globes Winners

Boston Globe: 'Chicago' and 'The Hours' Win Golden Globe Movie Honors

CNN: 'Chicago' and its Stars Glitter in Golden Globes

ABC News: 'Chicago' and 'The Hours' Win Golden Globe Movie Honors

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Advertisers: Stop Trying to be Cool

CNN tried to be cool by adding so called slang to their newscasts and it ended up being a huge joke.

Marketers have always tried to do the same with minimal success. Youth sees right through the attempt.

Teenage Research Unlimited, which has surveyed more than 100,000 teens in the past decade, says slinging slang is viewed as a hilarious and futile act of desperation.

Only two-fifths of youth surveyed said that advertisers are good at reaching their demographic. Their advice to businesses? Be original, funny and cool without trying too hard.

You can't plan cool. Once it's cool, it's not cool anymore so don't even try.

What you can do is listen. Listen to youth. Listen to what they have to say about your marketing and then follow their advice.

Metamucil Keeps Old Faithful Regular

Here's another example of the idiotic reactions that come from harmless attempts at humor in advertising. Here we have a National Park Service ranger getting offended because of a Metamucil ad that claims to keep Old Faithful "regular". Her complaint? She is offended at the implication that Old Faithful needs "help" to keep going.

"To suggest that it's not natural, that it is enhanced by a product, is a little disconcerting," said Suzanne Lewis, superintendent of Yellowstone and chief steward of the park and its geysers.

The park actually received letters complaining about the depiction of Old Faithful as something needing "regulation".

Can people please GET A LIFE!!! I mean for God's sake, it's humor. Have you heard of it? It's supposed to make you laugh. Lighten up and enjoy life, will you?

NYT: Metamucil Ad Featuring Old Faithful Causes a Stir
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Ad Age Superbowl Advertiser List

Here's the list of Superbowl XXXVII advertisers. It's updated regularly so check back. Also visit Superbowl-Ads.com for some previews and additional info.

Ad Age: Super Bowl: Who's Buying What 2003
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Ad Campaign to "Out" Catholic Senators Who Support Abortion

The American Life League is launching ad ad campaign that will name twelve U.S. Senators who are both Catholic and support abortion. The campaign will refer to this group as "The Deadly Dozen".

"For 2,000 years, the Catholic Church has steadfastly defended the sanctity of all human life," said American Life League president Judie Brown. "The simple fact is you cannot actively support abortion and be a faithful Catholic. You can't have it both ways. The Church's teachings on this matter are very clear."

Why do these radical groups, not to mention the Catholic church, always insist upon making everything black and white? No issue is ever that literal and neither is life.

Get over it.

WorldNetDaily: Group to unveil 'The Deadly Dozen' senators
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President Bartlett Gets to Finish His Second Term

Even though it has lost 3 million viewers to the stupidity of 'Bachelor' and 'Bachelorette', West Wing has been picked up by NBC for two more seasons with an option for a third.

Maybe, just maybe, we'll see Bartlett through term completion.

Zap2it: 'West Wing' Gets Two More Years in Office

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