Super Bowl Archives - Media Guy Struggles https://mediaguystruggles.com/category/super-bowl/ The Media Guy. Screenwriter. Photographer. Emmy Award-winning Dreamer. Magazine editor. Ad Exec. A new breed of Mad Men. Tue, 25 Jul 2023 23:46:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://mediaguystruggles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MEDIA-GUY-1-100x100.png Super Bowl Archives - Media Guy Struggles https://mediaguystruggles.com/category/super-bowl/ 32 32 221660568 The Best and the (Mostly) Worst of the Super Bowl LV Commercials https://mediaguystruggles.com/the-best-and-the-mostly-worst-of-the-super-bowl-lv-commercials/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/the-best-and-the-mostly-worst-of-the-super-bowl-lv-commercials/#respond Tue, 09 Feb 2021 17:21:00 +0000 Okay, so where am I?  Let’s just say that I wasn’t one of those 25,000 people who was watching Tom Brady become the greatest of all time. (The kids tell me to just say GOAT, but when I was a youngster, the goat was someone who failed in THE big moment). Let’s just say I’m […]

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Okay, so where am I? 

Let’s just say that I wasn’t one of those 25,000 people who was watching Tom Brady become the greatest of all time. (The kids tell me to just say GOAT, but when I was a youngster, the goat was someone who failed in THE big moment). Let’s just say I’m in the same place that I have been for the last 45 weeks. That should narrow it all down. 
The big question is, how come 25,000 people got to go to the big game went we are told to not gather with others to the point where places like Oregon want to arrest you or fine you if you. Here you have the two sides with two agendas:
Meanwhile money ruled the day, especially for the telecast of the game. CBS released their Super Bowl rate card for 30-second commercial spots at $5.6 million which kept the average cost level with last year’s game. In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, CBS didn’t sell out until late January (Fox sold out its ad inventory in November and had to add two and a half minutes of commercials to meet demand). What’s worse for CBS, they had to undercut the opening price to actually achieve sold out status. (Adweek reports that Scotts Miracle-Gro purchased an :30 in mid-January at a discounted $5.5 million.) If you wanted to be included in the CBS Super Bowl live stream, advertisers had to pony up another $300,000. 
On the Tom Brady-Boston divorce, it was very apparent that one-half of the couple clearly missed the other a whole lot…
On the total ratings front, CBS and reported that 96.4 million viewers watched “across all platforms, including the CBS Television Network, CBS Sports and NFL digital properties, Buccaneers and Chiefs mobile properties, Verizon Media mobile properties and ESPN Deportes television and digital properties.” This is the lowest the Super Bowl viewership since 2006. On the bright side of things for CBS, the game performed better on digital, with 5.7 million streamers setting a Super Bowl record and is up 65% over last year. It’s hard to spin these Super Bowl ratings into a positive story, with the numbers plummeting despite the much-hyped matchup of star QBs, snowstorms in the Northeast snowstorms, and a litany of other factors that should have pointed to an increase in ratings. But… 
This game will be the most viewed U.S. telecast of 2021 by a wide margin. The NFL remains as the most powerful TV product in America. The Super Bowl shows that when it comes to ratings, a competitive game matters more than any other factor and this game was the second biggest Super Bowl blowout in the last 18 years. 
Now onto the good stuff…
If you thought the Super Bowl ads from 2017 were awkward and weird and tried too hard to fit the cultural narrative, you need to see some of the misfires from this year’s game. I don’t need to remind you that 45 weeks of lockdowns and hearing about washing your hands, wear a mask, and social distancing produced a million disastrous situations for our friends, families, and countries. This year a bunch of ads paid homage to the big issues (but passed over the particulars) while others presented ambiguous pushes for national unity as they opportunely failed to reference exactly what it was that’s divided us. These ads didn’t land because, well, you can’t actually have an effectual unity or compassion message without specifics—but then again, you can’t say too much or you run the risk of offending one side of the country and maybe both. 
Winners
General Motors
Will Ferrell.
Awkwafina.
Kenan Thompson.
Bad Scandinavian Navigating.
 
What more do you want?
General Motors’ ad agency crafted this tour de force depicting Ferrell as an electric vehicle enthusiast with a curious resentment against Norway, because it “sells more electric cars per capita than the U.S.” If it’s up to Ferrell that won’t last long as GM has long been ahead of the Green New Deal promising to release 30 new electric vehicles by 2025. 
Eat it, Norway! But much like energy czar John Kerry who flies everywhere in his private jet, the stars of this spot expanded their carbon footprint multi-fold by embarking on a spur-of-the-moment and pointless trip to Scandinavia.
Bud Light Seltzer
Physical comedy reigns kings again. The commercial starts like this…
“When did Bud Light Seltzer start making lemonade? Probably when 2020 handed us all those lemons.” 
And that’s where the fun begins as it starts raining lemons like cats and dogs, and smashing anyone unfortunate enough to stand in their path—kind of like 2020 itself! As we know too well, the tragedies of the past year are best met head on with a stead diet of alcohol. 
M&M’s
M&M’s never fail to deliver cleverness while reminding you that you should consume some chocolate covered in a hard candy shell that melt in your mouth and not in your hands Schitt’s Creek actor Dan Levy fresh off an appearance on Saturday Night Live appearance (nice push-pull there M&M’s) apologizes to the a couple of outdoor dining M&Ms for eating their brothers and sisters only see a twist of fate for the candy. 
Paramount+
On March 4th, CBS All Access will be no mate as it rebrands itself as Paramount Plus on March 4th and you got my attention with this ad uniting some of the biggest stars and characters that we all will be be able to watch on the revamped and reinvigorated streaming network. Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: Picard)  Beavis and Butt-Head, Dora the Explorer, Jeff Probst (Survivor), Tom Selleck (the Frank Reagan Blue Bloods iteration), Christine Baranski (The Good Fight’s Diane Lockhart and Spock (Ethan Peck), and more on top of Mount Paramount.
Losers
Elon Musk’s SpaceX
Inspiration4, a project of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, wants dreamers like us to think big and envision ourselves in outer space: 
“This fall, Inspiration4 launches as the first all-civilian mission to space … and you could be on board,” says the ad, directing our curiosity to their website. 
This was a great twist on most Super Bowl ads offering humdrum fantasies of driving mid-level E- or S-class cars or diving into a fresh bag of chips—you know, the stuff impulse buys are made of. If the objective was to get me to their website (it did), but I think like most of us we’ve seen this episode of The Simpsons (they predict everything) and it went poorly for everyone. 
Doritos
Alright, alright, alright… 
Matthew McConaughey stars as a startling 2D being who repels everyone he meets in this year’s Doritos ad. It’s safe to say that this spot is not funny and if it were locked into your dreams you’d wake in a cold sweat from that nightmare. All of this to shill for Doritos 3D, and its new puffy 3D shaped chip. After sliding into a vending machine in 2D form and stealing a bag of chips, McConaughey is restored to his normal shape and size inside the fat-dispensing device. Sweet payback. Still not funny.
Guinness
Sure Joe Montana is 4-0 in the Super Bowl and never threw an interception in the big game. The time of the commercial was ill-advised and the outcome proved that Tom Brady is the true goat.
The Tears of Confusion Award
Toyota
Ok I cried, but what does it have to do with Japanese cars?
The “What the F%(#” Award
Oatly

The well sought-after “What the F%(#” award to Oatly. What’s Oatly you ask? Why it’s a somewhat unknown supplier of oat milk and oat milk–related goods. CEO Toni Petersson wasted nearly $6 million—well, way over that number when you factor in production costs to make the spot and agency fees—on a vanity piece on a maudlin country field lounge act replete with bad singing about “how oat milk is like milk, but made for humans.” Oh yes, but only if you’re a smug granola cruncher. (Apologies to the granola crunchers and/or those who are lactose intolerant.) What’s worse is that the company couldn’t event be bothered to put the commercial on their social media accounts. Sheesh!
Meanwhile, the Internet is undefeated!:
The Big Tech is Still Coming for You Award
Amazon Alexa
Just another example of big tech stealing from you. This time they are plotting to entice your wife with Michael B. Jordan reading to her in the bath tub creating fantasies for her as she moans in pleasure as she fogs up the windows in her high-rise office, (forever) lost in some erogenous illusion. 
“Alexa…stay away from my wife!”

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The Best and the Worst of the Super Bowl LIV Commercials https://mediaguystruggles.com/the-best-and-the-worst-of-the-super-bowl-liv-commercials/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/the-best-and-the-worst-of-the-super-bowl-liv-commercials/#respond Mon, 03 Feb 2020 21:20:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2020/02/03/the-best-and-the-worst-of-the-super-bowl-liv-commercials/ Photo: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images Okay, so where am I? Let’s just say that The Comeback Chiefs just scored three touchdowns in the final few minutes in Miami to earn their first Super Bowl win in 50 years. That ought to narrow it all down. On Sunday, huge brands like Tide and Pepsi once again spent […]

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Photo: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

Okay, so where am I?

Let’s just say that The Comeback Chiefs just scored three touchdowns in the final few minutes in Miami to earn their first Super Bowl win in 50 years. That ought to narrow it all down.

On Sunday, huge brands like Tide and Pepsi once again spent millions of dollars from their advertising budgets. As a matter of fact, advertising for the game sold out before the end of November at a price tag of $5.6 million for a 30-second commercial. The demand for Super Bowl ad was so strong this year that Fox added two-and-a-half minutes of commercial time to the telecast. And, if you have the cash, why not advertising in the biggest television event of the year? Look at these numbers:

The Super Bowl averaged 101.369 million viewers (Fox + streaming). Up from 98.5 million viewers last year on CBS+streaming

— Austin Karp (@AustinKarp) February 3, 2020

The figure point to a 5.5% increase over the 2019 game, in spite of a 5% audience decline for last year’s It’s important to note that live sports have held their own against the rising tide of video streaming that has divide viewers’ collective attention away from traditional satellite and cable television. The result is the National Football League’s enduring strength against other programming. Simply stated, it is more valuable than ever to advertisers.

To note, the $5.6 million cost for a 30-second spot to a colossal leap over the cost for the same amount of time for the the big game in 1967. In 1967, ads for the first-ever Super Bowl cost anywhere from $37,500  to $42,500, while 1995 marked the first year that the average cost crossed into the millions, when 30-second ads sold for $1.15 million.

So who scored and who fumbled this year?

WINNERS

Google
“Loretta”

If you didn’t cry or pretend you weren’t you might not actually be human.

Hyundai
“Smaht Pahk”

Making fun of Boston and New York accepts has become part of the of the lexicon pop culture. Boston natives John Krasinski, Chris Evans, and Rachel Dratch drive it home.

Dashlane
“Password Paradise”

Death on the River Styx is the perfect apt metaphor for those regular occurrences when you need to gain access to your online accounts. Shoot it just happened to me trying to get into my American Airlines frequent flyer portal…and the exact same questions were asked in the exact same order. Goodness gracious, on relatability scale, they were spot on (and quite humorous about it all too.)

Amazon
“What Did We Do Before Alexa?”

When Ellen DeGeneres asks Portia de Rossi “What did we do before Alexa?” I was a little dubious. But once the newsy makes his fake news joke, they had me.

Jeep 
“Groundhog Day”

An ode to the classic with a fresh spin…plus a superb ending.

Today isn’t just Game Day. It’s Groundhog Day. Watch Bill Murray in the Jeep “Groundhog Day” commercial featuring the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. #JeepGroundhogDay pic.twitter.com/R3xn6PC7Ro

— Jeep (@Jeep) February 2, 2020

LOSERS

Audi
“Audi Presents: Let It Go”

The Frozen ear worm “Let It Go” anthem doesn’t fit the message quite as well as Audi imagines it does. What a waste of Maisie Williams and 5.6 million dollars. Next time call the Media Guy, Audi. I can save you eight to ten million in production, royalty charges, and actor’s fees.

Avocados from Mexico 
“The Avocados from Mexico Shopping Network”

Pool floats? Baby carriers? Luggage? All of these things can be purchased on the Avocados From Mexico Shopping Network? Do we even care where our avocados come from as long as they aren’t $3.99 each? This one was a loser from the moment it was greenlit from the storyboards.

Tide
“Laundry Later”

Charlie Day is the freakout actor of his generation. Tide dropped at least $22 million on their four spots. I like the concepts, but it wasn’t particularly Clio Award worthy.

Proctor & Gamble
“When We Come Together”

No shortage of star power here. After the clever spilled chili open, it was literally a mess to watch.

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The Best and the Worst of the Super Bowl LIII Commercials https://mediaguystruggles.com/the-best-and-the-worst-of-the-super-bowl-liii-commercials/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/the-best-and-the-worst-of-the-super-bowl-liii-commercials/#respond Mon, 04 Feb 2019 12:49:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2019/02/04/the-best-and-the-worst-of-the-super-bowl-liii-commercials/ Okay, so where am I? Let’s just say that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick chased down their record-breaking sixth Super Bowl crown. That should narrow it all down. On Sunday, huge brands like Budweiser and Pepsi once again spent millions of dollars from their advertising budgets in the hopes of catching your attention during what […]

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Okay, so where am I?

Let’s just say that Tom Brady and Bill Belichick chased down their record-breaking sixth Super Bowl crown. That should narrow it all down.

On Sunday, huge brands like Budweiser and Pepsi once again spent millions of dollars from their advertising budgets in the hopes of catching your attention during what should be the year’s most-watched television event. While the ratings were the lowest since 2009, the numbers still boggle imagination:

Last five super Bowl overnight ratings:

2019: 44.9 (Pats-Rams, CBS)
2018: 47.4 (Eagles-Pats, NBC)
2017: 48.8 (Pats-Falcons, Fox)
2016: 49.0 (Broncos-Panthers, CBS)
2015: 49.7 (Pats-Seahawks, 49.7) https://t.co/ZCRN73DSpm

— Austin Karp (@AustinKarp) February 4, 2019

If you’re a big budget advertiser, those numbers will cost you. How much? CBS charged another boggling number: a record $5.25 million for thirty seconds of airtime. The cost is slightly up from last year’s $5.2 million, and $1 million more than the cost to air a commercial during the 2014 Super Bowl. In just over a decade, the price of the average Super Bowl ad has nearly doubled from a price point of $2.69 million in 2008. If you go all the way back to the first-ever Super Bowl, in 1967, ads cost anywhere from $37,500  to $42,500, while 1995 marked the first year that the average cost crept into the millions, when 30-second ads sold for $1.15 million.

So who scored and who fumbled this year?

WINNERS

Olay
In the company’s first Super Bowl ada horror-movie spoof featuring scream queen Sarah Michelle Gellarthe product is so good that the slasher wants to discuss her fantastic skin. Some panned it, but it was better than almost anything you’d see on Saturday Night Live.

Amazon
The “Not Everything Makes The Cut” spot is incredible in its comic timing and celebrity cameos. You had me at Harrison’s Ford’s dog ordering gravy.

The Washington Post
Because knowing empowers us.
Knowing helps us decide.
Knowing keeps us free.

Simply, this spot gave me chills. Simply. Awesome.

Captain Marvel
The Captain Marvel spot was the perfect thing to get the women in the house excited for a super hero movie.

Higher. Further. Faster. See #CaptainMarvel in theaters March 8. Get tickets now: https://t.co/BNTBGOLFnk pic.twitter.com/qD8Mz5o0sP

— Disney (@Disney) February 3, 2019

Hyundai
“The Elevator” spot with Jason Bateman (yeah, go binge watch Ozark, like now) showcased everything that is worse than buying a car. Apparently, buying a Hyundai is much better for the soul.

LOSERS


KIA
“Telluride”
Their Super Bowl ad included only people from the town of West Point (who weren’t aware this would be used in the big game). I’m sorry, I know I’m supposed to be nicer but I spent the first 15 seconds trying to understand what the VO person was saying.

Devour 
“Food Porn”

We all know what Devour was trying to do with the cheekiness of their spot. In the original spot the concerned girlfriend says, “My boyfriend is addicted to frozen food porn.” Since you can’t say “porn” at the Super Bowl, it was edited to say, “My boyfriend has an addiction.” Katy Marshall, one of the marketing people behind the ad, told Yahoo Finance: “Some may say our new commercial is too hot for TV. We’ll let the audience decide.” Katy, let’s just say that no one will be addicted to this ad…and…you should have called the Media Guy before spending $5.25 mill plus production costs.

Turbotax
“RoboChild”
A creepy robot child. Taxes. What could go wrong? Just this:

Burger King
“Andy Warhol”
Who pours ketchup from a bottle onto the crackling paper next to the burger? Who wants to #EatLikeAndy? Who wants to change the channel?

–>
–>

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Dilly Dilly: Trying to Not to Punch the TV during the Super Bowl Commercials https://mediaguystruggles.com/dilly-dilly-trying-to-not-to-punch-the-tv-during-the-super-bowl-commercials/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/dilly-dilly-trying-to-not-to-punch-the-tv-during-the-super-bowl-commercials/#respond Mon, 05 Feb 2018 23:23:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2018/02/05/dilly-dilly-trying-to-not-to-punch-the-tv-during-the-super-bowl-commercials/ Okay, so where am I? I’m digesting the numbers from the Super Bowl and it looks like over 100 million people watched the big game again. I’m pretty happy because the taking the Philadelphia Eagles and plus six points was the steal of the year (uhhhhhm, hypothetically, because I would never gamble, of course). I […]

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Okay, so where am I?

I’m digesting the numbers from the Super Bowl and it looks like over 100 million people watched the big game again. I’m pretty happy because the taking the Philadelphia Eagles and plus six points was the steal of the year (uhhhhhm, hypothetically, because I would never gamble, of course). I have the DVR on fast forward trying to look at the commercials again and making sure I hear that Ram Trucks commercial properly.

I mean, was that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stumping for the truckmaker? Was the good doctors speech about about the value of service really being used as a voiceover to sell trucks? Really? Remember when MLK said “I have a dream that one day a recording of a speech I gave about redefining greatness as a function of your readiness to serve your fellow man will be licensed by my descendants for Ram to use in an offensive truck commercial.”

Wait? Whaaaaat? He didn’t?

In a season marked by President Trump battling the National Football League over kneeling during the national anthem, you would think that using MLK to sell trucks is the the wrong mistake. And given everything that is going on in the country right now centering on race, it seems that there too much emotion to go there. In previous years, this high-risk move might have worked. Today? Not so much.

Needless to say, Twitter was set on fire with criticism of the ad…here’s a handful of sarcasm from the Net:

I think we all agree that MLK’s message was, “Buy more cars”

— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) February 5, 2018

Now that Martin Luther King is endorsing a pickup truck from beoynd the grave i think we can all declare racism offically dead

— PFTCommenter (@PFTCommenter) February 5, 2018

Not sure MLK’s dream was to drive a Dodge Ram.

— ItsTheReal (@itsthereal) February 5, 2018

A little checking discovered that Ram Trucks did not release this spot ahead of time like many of the other companies who spent $5 million for thirty seconds of air time. They were clearly looking for the surprise element, but now they potentially have a big problem with people being irked, the King Center for one:

Neither @TheKingCenter nor @BerniceKing is the entity that approves the use of #MLK’s words or imagery for use in merchandise, entertainment (movies, music, artwork, etc) or advertisement, including tonight’s @Dodge #SuperBowl commercial.

— The King Center (@TheKingCenter) February 5, 2018

Fiat Chrysler said in a statement, “We worked closely with the representatives of the MLK’s estate to receive the necessary approvals, and estate representatives were a very important part of the creative process every step of the way.”
Eric D. Tidwell, the managing director of the firm managing King’s intellectual property, Intellectual Properties Management, said, “Once the final creative was presented for approval, it was reviewed to ensure it met our standard integrity clearances. We found that the overall message of the ad embodied Dr. King’s philosophy that true greatness is achieved by serving others.”
What actually occurred was that the night’s most tone-deaf and abhorrent ad was born and the perhaps THE moral leader of the 20th century is made to shill for Dodge.
What you don’t hear in all of this critical white noise is that Ram Trucks resonated with their base using the MLK voiceover. It’s a well-known fact in advertising agencies serving the automobile industry that African-Americans do not buy trucks at the same levels that Caucasian-American do. So, the message selling trucks is almost always geared towards white Americans. 
Sorry for the truth here, so don’t shoot the messenger…
Onto some of the other spots:
Toyota leads off its Super Bowl ad buy with a spot featuring Lauren Woolstencroft, a Paralympic skier, who has won eight gold medals. While I am pleased that Woolstencroft earned some publicity—her perseverance and determination are very inspiring—but again it makes me cringe on what and whom are used are used to sell cars. Seriously, it doesn’t any perseverance or determination to lease or purchase a Toyota…it takes somewhere between $199 and $499 a month for 36 months, plus drive off fees…
Wendy’s—unofficial corporate motto: “Our Food Is Meh, but at Least We’re Jerks on Twitter”—takes a page from Avis trying harder with direct shot at McDonald’s: “The iceberg that sank the Titanic was frozen, too,” says the ad. In your face, Mickey D’s! I love a good fast-food feud as much as anyone, but I feel like Wendy’s would do well to mind that Old World proverb: “Restaurants that sell weird square hamburgers shouldn’t throw stones.”
Easily my favorite ad as Peter Dinklage lip-dubs a Busta Rhymes song for Doritos, and then is immediately bookended by Morgan Freeman lip-dubbing a Missy Elliott song in an ad for Mountain Dew
In my Class of 2017 Media Guy Hall of Shame Inductees column I took aim at T-Mobile for their endless and annoying audio cues. Now Bud Light is doing it with this “Dilly Dilly” nonsense. Don’t get me wrong, because I’m not so ignorant to understand that this catchphrase is something of a phenomenon. These inexplicably popular ads also leave me inexplicably wanting to punch my TV as well.

Diet Coke Tasted Mango…I can hear the execs sitting around in the concept room. 

“We need to show everyone that it’s not just for your colleagues in accounting anymore!”

“How about we put a dictionary-definition millennial in front of a yellow brick wall and she can hold a can of Diet Coke Twisted Mango, dance awkwardly, and mumble to herself?”

“We can let the music play for 30 seconds over her inane mumbling and $5 million well spent! Right?!” 

I guess it did its job…I am now painfully aware that Diet Coke comes in mango. 

Here’s what the real MLK speech sounded like on February 4, 1964:

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LEAKED: Your Guide to the Super Bowl Commercials and Betting Props https://mediaguystruggles.com/leaked-your-guide-to-the-super-bowl-commercials-and-betting-props/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/leaked-your-guide-to-the-super-bowl-commercials-and-betting-props/#respond Fri, 02 Feb 2018 22:30:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2018/02/02/leaked-your-guide-to-the-super-bowl-commercials-and-betting-props/ Okay, so where am I? Before I get to the top Super Bowl commercials leaked before Sunday, I just want to say that I feel a huge measure of vindication. “Why?” you ask? Because of stories like this from Variety: Madison Avenue Hopes Super Bowl Ads Won’t Get Trumped by Politics Analysis: Big Game. Small […]

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Okay, so where am I?

Before I get to the top Super Bowl commercials leaked before Sunday, I just want to say that I feel a huge measure of vindication. “Why?” you ask? Because of stories like this from Variety:

Madison Avenue Hopes Super Bowl Ads Won’t Get Trumped by Politics
Analysis: Big Game. Small Ads?

Madison Avenue heavyweights say they don’t want their ads to play off politics or social issues in Super Bowl LII. Will the commercials be as memorable as in years past?

Last year, post-Super Bowl, I said to “Blame Trump” for all of the misguided ads built for the game to combat the President and his perceived (or not-so-perceived agenda). The ads may have resonated for the snowflakes, but those of us who spend money in big quantity on consumer goods were appalled. True be told, I am still a little salty at my colleagues in the advertising world who let these ads push forward. I’ll run down the winners and losers (mostly the losers) next week after I digest them in the moment.

Currently, I’m scouring the prop bets for the Super Bowl on Sunday and pretty thankful I placed a few dollars on the Eagles early and got six points back (the current line as of posting is the Patriots -4). What does that mean? I means the New England Patriots can win by five points and I can still win my bet. I’m feeling good about this since the the Patriots have won five of these recently, all by less than five points. Easy money? Ha! Only Las Vegas, offshore books, and local bookies make money on the big game.

Back to the prop bets, I’m considering a few:

-The coin toss is a fun prop that even the most casual bettor can embrace. This bet is slightly more advanced than picking heads or tails, but I like it more as there are some fun trends to note and wager on. Regardless of which side of the coin is called on Sunday—and for the record heads has come out 24 times and tails 27 times throughout the history of the Super Bowl—the NFC has found a way to consistently win the toss over the last two decades. The team representing the conference has won 18 of the last 20 coin tosses. My Pick? The Team That Wins Coin Toss Wins Game: No (-103).

-Color of Bill Belichick hoodie (must wear hoodie for action)
  • Grey +120
  • Blue +140
  • Red +500
-Will winning team visit White House?
  • Yes -200
  • No +150

Total number of Donald Trump tweets during game?

  • Over 5.5 (-115)
  • Under 5.5 (-115)
I mean you can bet on anything, even the halftime show:
#SBLII props from @BetDSI

Timberlake first song

Can’t Stop The Feeling! +150
Sexyback +175
Rock Your Body +400
Cry Me A River +500
Mirrors +550
Filthy +750
True Colors +800
Love Never Felt… +900
What Goes Around…Comes Around +1000
Senorita +1250
Suit & Tie +1500
Field +200

— Covers (@Covers) January 23, 2018

Click here for the complete Super Bowl LII Prop Betting List…but before you do, watch the Top 15 Leaked Super Bowl LII Commercials:

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Blame Trump! Misguided Super Bowl 51 Commercials https://mediaguystruggles.com/blame-trump-misguided-super-bowl-51-commercials/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/blame-trump-misguided-super-bowl-51-commercials/#respond Mon, 06 Feb 2017 23:26:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2017/02/06/blame-trump-misguided-super-bowl-51-commercials/ Okay, so where am I? ** – More than a caption – see below I may or may not be at the Super Bowl witnessing the greatest comeback in the great Super Bowl ever played. Or I may have just attended the Oscars Nominees Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton. No, I’m not a nominee, but […]

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Okay, so where am I?

** – More than a caption – see below

I may or may not be at the Super Bowl witnessing the greatest comeback in the great Super Bowl ever played.

Or I may have just attended the Oscars Nominees Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton. No, I’m not a nominee, but a boy can dream, right?

What I do want to divulge is that the commercials this year were nothing short of, uh, capitalistic. Yeah, yeah, I know that what they are supposed to be, but this year all of the commercials touting diversity and equality left me a bit jaded.

I spent the nearly a decade touting Middle Eastern inclusion and rights in the Unites States media for over a decade and until about a year ago, I have story after story laced in ignorance and/or racism. It was a fruitless endeavor to say the least. At the end of it, I couldn’t get anyone to pay attention for very long.

Not a nominee, but a boy can dream!

And, as a reformed misogynist, I’ve been on a crusade lately as I rail against the advertising industry on their treatment of women (*see below for some of the latest links). So to see all of these corporations forking out $5 million for a thirty-second spot to concentrate on feel-good messages telling the world that they care in Trump America brings out the cynical in me.

Yeah, yeah, I know that aligning with a message shows they have a point of view and it let’s everyone know they aren’t in their glass towers making commercials in a vacuum but they are aware of the world around them.

But, c’mon…

The diversity and gender equality issues have been at the forefront for years. But now you choose to focus on that because you won’t get slammed for doing it? You’re emboldened all of the sudden by the protests swirling around the Donald Trump Presidency will get the masses behind you?

Two spots spring to mind…

“Daughter” from Audi


In what may be one of the most pathetic commercials in Super Bowl history, Audi put together a gender equality piece that can only be described as propaganda. Seriously, it looked more like a feminine hygiene commercial than a car commercial. The father’s voice over angst is disingenuous at best:

What will I tell my daughter? 
That her daughter is worth more than her grandma? 
That her dad is worth more than her mom?
That despite her education, her drive, her skills, she will be valued less than a man?

Of course the daughter win the race. Let’s watch…

Of course, the liberal media is celebrating this for taking on the gender wage gap. However, the youtube video has over 50% thumbs down rating and Audi as a corporation doesn’t even embody its own advertising message. Yeah, yeah, blame Trump!

Here is the official overview on the spot from Audi:


“This is a story of a young girl competing in a downhill cart race in her hometown. As the fearless daughter weaves her way through a field of competitors, her father contemplates whether his daughter’s worth will be measured by her gender through a series of provocative questions. It is a reminder that progress doesn’t belong to any one group. Progress is for everyone.

“Progress is in every decision we make, every technology we invent, every vehicle we build. It’s our past, our future, our reason to exist. Audi of America is committed to equal pay for equal work. A 2016 report by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee found that women were paid 21% less than men on average.”

I found this commercial to be highly ironic as the male to female ratio of Audi employees is somewhere around 2:1 while the median salary for men is about 22%. Yep, higher than the national average.

The spot says that Audi is committed to equal pay, because that’s a stronger message than, say, parent Volkswagen’s tainted commitment to clean diesel.

All of this proves that businesses promoting products that have nothing to do with politics should refrain from pushing their political agenda.

“What should I tell my daughter?” So many things roll through my mind as I hear this guy whining through the spot:

  • Tell her that she has to work twice as hard as the average man because the guys hiring you won’t pay you enough and you have to show your value twice as much. 
  • Tell her that life isn’t fair and if you’re looking for that, you’ll get bulldozed by the corporate climbers who will frame you at work faster than anyone can say “sisterhood.”
  • Tell her that when they drive off in their $45,000 car, they shouldn’t leave the winning soapbox derby car winner on the side of the road. So much for environmental protection.
  • Or maybe just tell her that daddy didn’t buy an Audi in 2017 because luxury carmakers should pander for gender equality they don’t fully believe in the cause themselves.

Teaching moments, my brother.

Lady Gaga’s push for Tiffany & Co.:


The New York City jeweler jumped into the Super Bowl advertising arena with its first spot and tabbed Lady Gaga to make a splash. The spot, which aired right before the halftime show she was to star in…

Here’s the official word from Tiffany & Co.:

INTRODUCING
LADY GAGA
IN OUR NEW SPRING CAMPAIGN
As fiercely feminine as the new Tiffany HardWear collection, 
the legendary Lady Gaga captures the spontaneity 
and creative spirit of New York City

She spent the entire thirty seconds writhing on the floor with jewelry on…playing harmonica with jewelry on…and challenging the proposition that “it’s pretentious to talk about how creative you are.”

Also: She likes Tiffany. No ground was broken here.

Before we move on, let’s just say that this was easily the most pretentious spot I’ve ever seen. Here’s a few gems from the commercial:

“I love to change, it makes me feel alive.”
“I always want to be challenging the status quo.”
“(Being creative) is empowering, and I’m coming for you.”

That’s a real tour de force of pretentiousness. Whew…

The spot came at a time where sales are plummeting for the brand. Tiffany has cited lower consumer spending and a slowdown in business at its flagship store as the reason for the decline. Many of you probably know that Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue store is located near Trump Tower, which has been overrun with the Secret Service, tourists, and protesters since the election. Yeah, yeah, blame Trump!

* – Reformed Misogyny Links:


The Happy Couple / Natan Jewelry
Enjoli: A 30-Second Capsule of Sexist Advertising
The Dreaded Casting Call
Ride Me All Day
“You can almost taste the Bush”

** – More than a caption:

Fifteen years ago, I played golf in the foursome behind New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick. He was much different from his press conference persona, cracking jokes and generally portraying the face of a happy man. He told me to always be prepared and plan everything meticulously. I fell in love with the process of everything and it benefitted my advertising career.

After he guided another Patriots team to an NFL championship, he actually said this: “As great as today feels and as great as today is, in all honesty we’re five weeks behind in the 2017 season.” The comment drew laughs, but Belichick was being serious.

Technically, he’s correct that his team’s 2016 season lasted longer than those of all other teams except Atlanta. But, dude, come on. You just became the first coach ever to win five Super Bowls — and you did it in dramatic fashion.

Isn’t that what all the work is about? Why not take a minute to appreciate what you’ve accomplished? Belichick said Monday that he and his coaching staff will take some time off, but not until this summer. “Now is not really the time to do that,” he said. “If you don’t do a good job with your football team in February, March and April, you’re probably going to see that in November, December and January. We have some catching up to do. But it’s where we want to be.”

What can I say, the man loves the process. You gotta love Coach Belichick because, hey, if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying!

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At first I was like, “Holy F#%king Super Bowl Tickets, Batman!” … https://mediaguystruggles.com/at-first-i-was-like-holy-fking-super-bowl-tickets-batman/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/at-first-i-was-like-holy-fking-super-bowl-tickets-batman/#respond Mon, 08 Feb 2016 19:07:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2016/02/08/at-first-i-was-like-holy-fking-super-bowl-tickets-batman/ At first I was like, “Holy f#%king Super Bowl tickets Batman!” I mean tickets to the Golden Game? Super Bowl 50? In San Francisco? Club Level? Running elbows with the bourgeois of the world like Beyoncé, Pres. Obama, The Mannings, and Katy Perry? I mean who wouldn’t want that? But then “$3K PER TICKET” smacked me on […]

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At first I was like, “Holy f#%king Super Bowl tickets Batman!”

I mean tickets to the Golden Game? Super Bowl 50? In San Francisco? Club Level? Running elbows with the bourgeois of the world like Beyoncé, Pres. Obama, The Mannings, and Katy Perry? I mean who wouldn’t want that?

But then “$3K PER TICKET” smacked me on the brain like an errant elbow from your girlfriend who’s tossing and turning in bed after a 10-tequila-shot bender at 4a in Vegas or Monte Carlo.

Three thousand dollars? And six thousand dollars for two? Face Value? Who would pay $6,000 for Super Bowl tickets and feel good about themselves while drinking $15 beers in their plush club level seats while behemoths slam into each other while involving concussion protocols that can only truly be determined after death? I mean $1 a day helps a whole family eat three squares in Southern Sudan right?

C’mon NFL, really? Are you donating a part of this to some kind of charity? Sheesh! So right there I made my Stub Hub commitment to scalp these suckers and help out the world. Final result ended with an $8,000 donation to a local food bank.

Will I regret it? No way. It’s not like it’s a Kings-Capitals Stanley Cup Final ticket, right?

Okay, so where am I?

I’m at home waiting for my chili to finish cooking so I can have my Hebrew Nationals (a package of seven cost me $3.99, while a single hot dog at Levi’s Stadium would have run me $8.00; I think I made a good choice to sell my tickets and watch at home, don’t you think?).

Based on one of the best Super Bowl commercials (there weren’t many), I should have stuck with Heinz condiments. Heinz’s clever blend of America’s love of a dog commercial and blended it with a time-honored brand and a dash of quirk. The Heinz’s Wiener Stampede jumped from the field and into our hearts. It also proved that if you had a big hit in the 70s, then you can make money in 2016 (ala Harry Nilsson’s “Without You”).:

I think I may have stumbled on my true calling: Athlete fixer. Last year, I reached out to Seattle Seahawks’ running back Marshawn Lynch to be his media coach. Before that, I detailed how to eliminate your stage fright. This year it’s Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton who needs a little Media Guy help. His post-game presser was a personal disaster. For a guy who makes $10 mil annually in endorsements, he sure needs a lessen in humility. His three-minute talk to the media included nine answers that were three words or less. Someone should have taken him aside before walking into that room. Where was his Jerry Maguire? Where was the Panthers’ PR person to protect their most valuable player asset? C’mon Panthers! You’re better than that!

So Cam, as I told Marshawn, next time you ready yourself to Superman into a press conference after a humbling defeat, give the Media Guy a ring…or just email me.

(BEST) AD OF THE WEEK/MONTH/WHATEVER
Anheuser-Busch

After Helen Mirren’s commercial scorned us not to drink and drive, but then winds up drinking a beer and says, “This is suppose to be fun,” Peyton Manning slipped in the most effective commercial of them all. With everyone hanging on his post-game interview, pondering if he will announce his retirement, he instead listed his top priorities right now, saying he was going to drink a lot of Budweiser.


Holy ad messaging contradiction!

Regardless, Peyton’s three Budweiser mentions generated $3.2 million in free advertising*:

(RUNNER UP) AD OF THE WEEK/MONTH/WHATEVER
Baldwin Bowl

From Jason Schwartzman’s empanada throw at Marino, to Missy Elliott launching her brand new track, the Marino-Alec Baldwin “who is less successful” tête–à–tête, the Amazon.com Baldwin Bowl was my favorite star-driven spot. “Alexa, play Missy Elliot’s ‘Pep Rally.’” Classic!

(WORST) AD OF THE WEEK/MONTH/WHATEVER
Mountain Dew’s puppymonkeybaby

Creepy and disappointing! When that ridiculous thing hit the screen with its bad Godzilla-like stop motion CGI and started licking the guy’s face somehow inspiring him to drink the new Mountain Dew drink, I wanted to punch the television. But what do I know?

The abomination of a commercial was trending on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook all day. The ad garnered Mountain Dew almost 70,000 mentions** Good, bad or ugly, viewers wouldn’t stop talking about this nightmare.

Dude on Twitter said it best:

*- According to Market Watch
**- According to Amobee Brand Intelligence

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Media Day at the Super Bowl https://mediaguystruggles.com/media-day-at-the-super-bowl/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/media-day-at-the-super-bowl/#respond Thu, 04 Feb 2016 22:59:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2016/02/04/media-day-at-the-super-bowl/ Okay, so where am I? Super Bowl 50 officially kicked off with Media Day Super Bowl Opening Night and there’s a lot going on in Northern California. I mean this could be Peyton Manning’s last rodeo, players are wearing wrestling masks and the game will be on in Hungary! The SAP Center, which is usually home […]

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Okay, so where am I?

Super Bowl 50 officially kicked off with Media Day Super Bowl Opening Night and there’s a lot going on in Northern California. I mean this could be Peyton Manning’s last rodeo, players are wearing wrestling masks and the game will be on in Hungary! The SAP Center, which is usually home to the chokers known as the San Jose Sharks, is now home to the “Golden Game’s” opening night.

Needless to say, I did not get an exclusive with Peyton Manning.

I really want to know how anyone gets any good stories from this day without insider access. There are literally thousands reporters hunting both teams asking the same old questions and getting the same old answers. Some of the goof balls reporters are dressed as super heroes, clowns, and brides turning the already insane day into a mockery of media reporting.

As I look around the arena, I am immediately reminded and how America is a sucker for everything football. Upwards of 7,000 fans paid $30 just for the privilege of sitting in the stands and watch the players say as little as possible in their quest to get back to their hotel for room service as soon as possible.

Speaking of insider access, Miss Universe, Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines, certainly has it. She’s covering the festivities for Inside Edition. Gossipers inside the madness whispered that a bitter Miss Colombia was denied a press credential…well, that’s what Steve Harvey told me.

I’m still a little bitter myself that the Super Bowl package at the Fairmont hotel seems to be sold out. The five-star hotel has a $1 million party package which includes a four night stay for six in their 6,000-square-foot penthouse and 22 tickets to the game. I was really counting on this package.


Back to Pia, she was up front, sash and all, dancing with the players:


Last year’s Super Bowl XLIX between the the Patriots and the Seahawks was watched by almost 155 million viewers. For those of you scoring at home, that the most-watched show in the history of American television. This is why ads on the telecast cost a whopping $5 million for a thirty second spot. It seems that every single spot will star a dog, a donkey, or Alec Baldwin touting Amazon’s ripoff of Siri featuring the voice of “Alexa.” Early buzz has the Honda Sheep as the media darling. In the spot, sheep sing Queen’s “Somebody To Love.”

Ah, Sheep…the perfect metaphor for the mass of naive consumers susceptible to dreamy television commercials. But seriously, Keith Quesenberry of Messiah College and Michael Coolsen of Shippensburg University came out with a new study of Super Bowl ads, The researchers said that William Shakespeare holds the key to a great ad. Time.com they concluded that the most successful, well-liked ads are presented as mini-movies in a five-act story structure such as that favored by legendary playwright William Shakespeare. Why you ask? Well, the study found many of the best ads follow “Gustav’s Pyramid,” the five-part story structure — exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and denouement — adopted by 19th Century German novelist Gustav Freytag.

Jose Mendin’s Korean Fried Chicken Wings (below)

Sirius XM satellite radio will offer up eight languages of the game on Sunday, including a Hungarian broadcast. Somewhere in Budapest, a woman preparing her goulash (in lieu of chicken wings) is wondering aloud how she’s going to make it to the 12:30a kickoff time.

Speaking of which, how did chicken wings become the official snack of America’s most-watched event? The National Chicken Council estimates that 1.3 billion wings will be eaten by Americans on Super Bowl Sunday. That’s 39 million more than last year! The NCC also notes that that Charlotte residents spend over $1,400 on wings per $1 million spent in local grocery stores. That’s almost three times more than the $480 devoted to wings in Denver. Apparently, the wing is king. I’ve provided a brilliant Korean wings recipe below. Why? Because every great American party needs some culture.

Lady Gaga is performing the national anthem. Considering her performance at the Oscars let’s us know she will do just fine. The betting over/under is 2 minutes 20 seconds for Lady Gaga’s pregame national anthem on Sunday. What prevents Gaga from telling all her family and friends to bet big on the “under” and then coming in at 1:57? Hey, I’m just asking!

The Q Factor. Sports and entertainment research company, Repucom, which measures the metrics on almost 4,000 celebs and athletes and celebrities reports that Panthers QB Cam Newton now has a better “influential score” — the ability to change people’s perceptions — than President Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Hillary Clinton. Now you know who to write-in this November.

Helen Mirren’s anti-drunk driving Super Bowl ad for Anheuser-Busch/Budweiser smacks of hypocrisy:

Bud shouldn’t get to preach against drunk driving any more than Smith & Wesson gets to preach about gun violence.

Jose Mendin’s Korean Fried Chicken Wings
Ingredients:
1 whole chicken (cut into 8 pieces)
1 Bibb lettuce head (cut into cups)

Buttermilk Marinade:
1 liter buttermilk
2 tablespoons kimchee base
1 tablespoon gochujang paste
1 tablespoon chili powder

Seasoned Flour:
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon shichimi 
Marinade the chicken in buttermilk mix for at least an hour. Take chicken out of buttermilk and drench in seasoned flour, then leave out for at least 15 minutes. Fry at 360° for 15 minutes or until cooked all the way through. Serve with gochujang mustard miso and Bibb lettuce cups.
For the Gochujang Mustard Miso:
1 tablespoon miso paste
1 clove garlic, minced
½ tablespoon light brown sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
½ tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon gochujang
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
Combine miso paste, garlic, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water in small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for one minute, or until miso dissolves and begins to bloom. Remove from heat, and stir in oil and vinegar.
Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman wears a wrestling mask on Media Day Super Bowl Opening Night. Photo: Jerry Lai, USA TODAY Sports

AD OF THE WEEK/MONTH/WHATEVER


The Evolution of Barbie

“We believe we have a responsibility to girls and parents to reflect a broader view of beauty.” These are just a few words from Mattel’s senior vice president after the toymaker announced a new line of inclusive, diverse Barbies. The new spot won’t appear on the Super Bowl telecast, but it deserves a spot here on the Media Guy Struggles:

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Straight Outta Encino https://mediaguystruggles.com/straight-outta-encino/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/straight-outta-encino/#respond Fri, 14 Aug 2015 00:11:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2015/08/14/straight-outta-encino/ Okay, so where am I? I’m definitely NOT in Compton getting ready for the premiere of the N.W.A. bio pic Straight Outta Compton. (Although I did some of my early years living there with my dad in our Trek of Diversity that lasted until my mid-teens. But that is, of course, a story for another day.) […]

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Okay, so where am I?

I’m definitely NOT in Compton getting ready for the premiere of the N.W.A. bio pic Straight Outta Compton. (Although I did some of my early years living there with my dad in our Trek of Diversity that lasted until my mid-teens. But that is, of course, a story for another day.) I’m hoping to do another #TBT this coming week and catch the movie with my main bro Josh who has a strange fascination with the flick.

The dog days of summer marked the time where the ad world crawls to a much slower turtle pace. We cash in our favors using those promises of corporate timeshares and free airline miles to get our tourism on and plan the next campaign in some Croatian villa. spend It’s midsummer, when much of the media and marketing world slows way down. But, then something special happens every now and again.

Take the marketing machine that is Beats by Dre. I’ve worked for a headphone company who was deathy afraid of taking chances on marketing and advertising. The result? No net gain in the last five years worth of sales. This is a product far superior when compared to Beats. But a mediocre product hasn’t stopped Beats from dominating the market and making a billionaire out of Dr. Dre (he, being the co-founder Beats Electronics and a key member of N.W.A).

The company saw a rare opportunity with opening of Straight Outta Compton and created an incredible social buzz with the brilliant a meme generator that’s turned social media on its ear. The generator takes a picture you supply, turns it to black and white and lets you adorn it with huge copy across it: “Straight Outta [insert hometown].” Nearly 200,000 Instagram pictures—some sincere and many comedic—have been posted prior to the release the hashtag #straightoutta.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FUTURE EX-WIFE

Before I forget…happy birthday to the woman I have photographed on the red carpet countless times and jokingly (?) told the world will be my future ex-wife: Jennifer Lawrence.

Time Magazine summed up my faux obsession perfectly, “Oh, Jennifer Lawrence. You’re the girl we can all imagine being best friends with, and you also happen to be a wildly famous Oscar-winning actress.”

Read their take on The 25 Most Jennifer Lawrence Things Jennifer Lawrence Has Ever Done.

THREE STORIES NOT TO MISS

3. The Inside Story on Why Burger King Sells Red Burgers in Japan
What Better Way to Get Some Brand Attention on a Tight Budget?

2. CBS Is Commanding a Record $5 Million for 30-Second Super Bowl Ads Up 11% from last year’s game
The cost of advertising during the Super Bowl continues to rise, setting CBS up for a record haul for next February’s big game.

1. Get Ready for the Latest Craft Brew, and Your New Breakfast of Champions: Wheaties Beer
The Breakfast of Champions is getting its buzz on. Wheaties, usually known for its marketing around sports stars, has partnered with a craft brewer to sell a beer called HefeWheaties.


AD OF THE WEEK/MONTH/WHATEVER

ARE YOU RIDIN’ WITH BIDEN?

The presidential election doesn’t take place until late 2016, but things are already mighty strange. On sale at some of candidates’ campaign stores are red Trump party cups for sale, Grillary Clinton aprons and Rand Paul 3-foot birthday cards. My fundraising oddity can be found on the  Draft Biden 2016 website:

“Draft Biden 2016 excited to announce our new bumper stickers, designed by volunteer David Colman. These are 4″ by 6″ oval full color with an EZ peel back and are union printed. Show your support for the VP! $5.00”

The apocalypse is definitely upon us!

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Fined https://mediaguystruggles.com/fined/ https://mediaguystruggles.com/fined/#respond Wed, 28 Jan 2015 19:24:00 +0000 http://mediaguystruggles.com/2015/01/28/fined/ “I’m here so I won’t get fined…” With a $500,000 fine looming, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch made a bizarre appearance at Super Bowl Media Day. The famously tight-lipped running back gave a big eff you to reporters and the NFL who forced him in front of a microphone for the leaque minimum five […]

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“I’m here so I won’t get fined…”

With a $500,000 fine looming, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch made a bizarre appearance at Super Bowl Media Day. The famously tight-lipped running back gave a big eff you to reporters and the NFL who forced him in front of a microphone for the leaque minimum five minutes by responding to 25 straight questions with the same answer: “I’m here so I won’t get fined.”

All of this begs the question: Why not hire a media trainer?

Last year I detailed how to eliminate your stage fright. But for some, reading a column and taking a bit of advice isn’t enough. I mean, even kings need special exercises ala Colin Firth in his Academy Award winning turn in the “The King’s Speech” …

“I’m a thistle-sifter. I have a sieve of sifted thistles and a sieve of unsifted thistles. Because I’m a thistle-sifter.”

Whether giving an interview to CNN, speaking to an audience of 1 to 1,000 or facing a camera, getting the proper training enables the comport you need to help you avoid the mistakes that everyone makes.

In my early media days I was given a guide to conquering the media. I still have it an it’s been invaluable for decades as both a speaker and a trainer. I call it the Holy Grail of Media…perhaps that’s a stretch…

  • Don’t be afraid of the interview.
  • Keep in mind that the great majority of reporters are cordial people who are not out to harm you. They just want to get a story that will satisfy their editors and go home to their family.
  • Reporters hate when someone misleads or lies to them. Reporters don’t like it when their stories have to be corrected through no fault of their own and because of inaccurate information provided to them.
  • Don’t “wing it.”  Come prepared with notes  regarding the topic. 
  • If you don’t know the answer to a question, tell the reporter that you’ll get back with an answer. 
  • An interview is not a legal hearing. It’s okay to tell a reporter that some information is proprietary.
  • Just because a reporter puts away a notebook or turns off a tape recorder doesn’t mean the interview is over and you can say anything without it being used. 
  • If a reporter makes a statement that you do not agree with, say so. Remaining quiet may give the impression that you agree. 
  • Don’t answer if you are not sure of a reporter’s question. Always ask for a clarification.
  • Never say anything negative about an individual or company.
  • Don’t stray from the subject of the interview to comment on the day’s news. That might open up a new line of questioning.
  • If a print reporter signals that the interview is over but the client wants to provide additional information, it’s okay to ask the reporter for a few more minutes.
  • Reporters like facts and figures. Instead of just voicing an opinion, back it up with facts and figures.
  • Prior to departing, let the reporter know how you can be contacted if additional information is needed.
  • And most important, never lie to a reporter.
So Marshawn, next time media day rolls around, give the Media Guy a ring…or just email me.

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