What's going on with all the celebrities?

[Benjamin Strange]

Ok, maybe I'm getting in a little late about this, since I don't watch TV, but I've noticed that a growing number or musical celebrities jumping on the endorsement bandwagon. I saw LL Cool J rapping about Gatorade yesterday, and Beyonce is bringing Taco Bell/Pepsi cups on stage with her at award shows. It seems that everybody is doing it. Has the corporate endorsement thing lost it's taboo? Is it socially acceptable to do this now?

I remember when MC Hammer was doing the same thing back in the 80's, and he was raked over the coals for it. They called him a sell out, and he alienated his fan base. He was just as blatant as these guys who are doing it now, so what's the difference?

I think the whole thing is ridiculous. Does seeing Beyonce drink Pepsi make people want to drink more Pepsi? I don't think so, but apparently it does otherwise Pepsi wouldn't be throwing millions of dollars at her. For some reason I find the whole concept offensive.

Comments?

[canopener]

Sooo, what do you think of Ray Charles endorsing lottery tickets? He did it for the PA lotto, I dunno about anywhere else.

[3 crotch grabs]

did you know that mc hammer was listed as vice president of operations for the oakland A's when he was 12 years old? true story. he used to dance with his tape deck in the parking lot of the oakland coliseum before games so he could buy a ticket. charlie finley (owner of the team) saw him and gave him season tickets. gave him the nickname too, after hammering hank aaron. little hammer was soon old charlie's best friend. if finley was out of town, hammer would sit in the owners box, and give him play by play updates over the phone.

charlie finley was also responsible for the designated hitter, free agency, players with mustaches, golf carts driving relievers in from the bullpen, and a half assed attempt at a designated pinch runner.

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by canopener

Sooo, what do you think of Ray Charles endorsing lottery tickets? He did it for the PA lotto, I dunno about anywhere else.

Ray Charles does/ did Wisconsin as well (is that the same lottery though?)

Endorsements are lucrative. Yoko sold "Revolution" for a shoe commercial. Big stars do commercials in other markets (such as Schwartzenegger's and Jennifer Lopez' soft drink commercials in Asia). Heck, Ludacris was an endorser for Pepsi. (Weed, Hoes and Pepsi- good combo)

[Gia]

when i see rasputina endorsing crisco, i just wanna run and get myself a tall warm glass of it.

yummy.

[Schwinn]

I've always thought the practice was abominable. These guys don't need the money that's for sure. My mind was made up when Jordan was doing battery commericals. It's like... 'what the hell does he know about batteries anyway?why would that sway me to brand x?' These 'celebrities' have no integrity other than personal vanity. Why else would someone that makes $20 million a year doing movies or music do a pepsi commerical. These are the true sellouts IMO.

[spaceman]

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

Yoko sold "Revolution" for a shoe commercial.

Wasn't it Michael Jackson who allowed Revolution to be used in a Nike advert?

[canopener]

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

Ray Charles does/ did Wisconsin as well (is that the same lottery though?)

I'm sure the same company prints off scratch off games for each state with lotto, but they all vary from state to state, if they even have it at all.

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

Endorsements are lucrative. Yoko sold "Revolution" for a shoe commercial. Big stars do commercials in other markets (such as Schwartzenegger's and Jennifer Lopez' soft drink commercials in Asia).

...and we bitch and moan about cigarette companies nicotine doping cigarettes. The Japanese put it in their energy drinks and make no bones about it!

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by Schwinn

These guys don't need the money that's for sure.

The only thing better than money, is more money.

When I was making 13K a year, I thought, man, if I could make 15K I'd be able to pay off my bills and live large! Then When I was making 15K I thought, once I make 17K I'll get it all together and then I'll be able to eat 3 times a day!!! Then When I was making 20K I thought I'd be able to pay off my car when I'm making 30K...

The more you make, the more you need. Barstar or Supastar, you always could use more money.

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by spaceman

Wasn't it Michael Jackson who allowed Revolution to be used in a Nike advert?

Probably, but I remember a lot of heat coming on her for it. (maybe she just justified it in the press or something)

I think that's the worst example of licensing horror. These days, we have a song we like, and it means something to us. Revolution wasn't just a song, it was something to a generation. I would look at it for my age group as selling off "Smells Like Teen Spirit" times 200 or so.

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by canopener

I'm sure the same company prints off scratch off games for each state with lotto, but they all vary from state to state, if they even have it at all.

I was thinking of Megabucks and the like, spread out over a region, while each state lottery belongs to the state.

Is the Ray Charles song "You don't have to play to win?"

[Josh Ryan]

I don't know what your talking about.

[canopener]

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

I was thinking of Megabucks and the like, spread out over a region, while each state lottery belongs to the state.

Is the Ray Charles song "You don't have to play to win?"

Ah, yes. Although I remember several PA lottery jingles from Ray Charles, I do remember him singing "it's America's game, the one and only Powerball."

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by canopener

Ah, yes. Although I remember several PA lottery jingles from Ray Charles, I do remember him singing "it's America's game, the one and only Powerball."

I don't know that one, I can think of 2 of them from Ray.

He must be a bit behind on his gambling debts. Ray and poker don't mix.

[Benjamin Strange]

Originally Posted by Blisshead, who is not to be confused with StupidMatt

I don't know what your talking about.

Excellent!

[3 crotch grabs]

don't be rediculous, blisshead.

[Josh Ryan]

Originally Posted by 3 crotch grabs

don't be rediculous, blisshead.

touché!

[Benjamin Strange]

Wow, this thread has gone south fast.

[3 crotch grabs]

come on guys, i have to go to the freaking grocery store... would you let me concentrate for a second?

now let me see...
gatorade
pepsi
superglide
anusol
trojans
lottery ticket
crisco
nikes

by the way, i try to never let advertising or product placement influence my spending decisions. that's just silly.

[Edwcdc]

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

Wow, this thread has gone south fast.

SOUTH, is about right.