Sorry Charlie

Today's PR example can be summed up in two words ... Tiger Blood.  Charlie Sheen lately has made everyone in the PR world cringe and everyone else awkwardly laugh.  Watching Sheen do his press tour made me glad I don't ever want to be a publicist and those are apparently his former publicists thoughts as well, seeing that he quit as soon as he heard about the numerous interviews Sheen had planned.  It doesn't take a scholar to realize that Charlie Sheen's recent behaviors are doing nothing but give him publicity, but the debate is how well this is going to help him in the long run. Everyone knows Sheen is a train wreck, we're all just waiting to see the crash.. Don't believe me ? You obviously haven't seen Sheen's Korner.

So will his latest actions help him? He has been the topic of every news channel and even has a website dedicated to all the ridiculous things that come out of his mouth, its called Live the Sheen Dream.  It's just insane the things that have actually come out of his reported drug free mouth. He's making quick money of his recent rants and quote of the day through t-shirt deals, but that isn't going to get him his job back with Two and a Half Men.  I think Charlie is planning on riding on this whole shock value act for as long as he can ... but what happens after that Charlie?  You have people placing bets on when your #tigerblood runs out, so cash in on it while you can or at least while you are alive.  

I sadly laughed at this tweet because its so true:

"Parents show your kids the Charlie Sheen videos, they'll never want to try drugs...ever."

Have a Magical Day!

Today is a very Disney day! I will admit right now that I will to my last breathe defend the Walt Disney Company, just not that girl whose name rhymes with Smiley Virus -haha, I thought that was clever.] So naturally, I fell in LOVE with Disney's "Let the Memories Begin" campaign.  I'll confess that I tear up during practically every cheesy moment in any Disney movie, so these commercials turn me into a big ol' ball bag. Don't judge, watch one of the commercials below and see for yourself...

Go ahead, take a moment to compose yourself.

I think what makes this campaign different than those previous, is that you see the real memories of real Disney guests and you have the ability to share your own memories on the Disney website. Click here to upload those embarrassing family photos in matching Mickey t shirts your mom made you wear.  That wasn't just my family right?

Disney is great at targeting not just children who want to go and experience Disneyland or Walt Disney World for the first time, but it also to appealing to parents who secretly, or not so secretly, want to act like kids.  With all the negative news that we are bombarded with each and everyday, commercials like Disney's remind us of when life what simple and worry free.  Each year Disney has a new campaign which is the theme for the year.  In the past the themes have been "Year of a Million Dreams" and "What Will You Celebrate?" All of which promote the Disney image and philosophy that, as Walt said it himself, 

"Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional."

Go ahead and "Let the Memories Begin" all the cool kids are doing it!

Campaign Challenge

I've decided it's time to switch things up with this whole  "blogging" thing. In the beginning, to be honest I just did it as a requirement for a senior level class, but now I'm going to challenge myself. I'm going to challenge myself to find one PR triumph or disaster each day and to analyze how well the message is getting across to college students... OK, well college student aka me. Because let's be honest - its my last semester of senior year, this is the time when professors are just throwing as many random assignments that they can think of at this point.  So how does that sound? Good? Great. Grand. FANTASTIC! 

Here. We. Go.

[In my Bob Barker voice] Today's lucky contestant is

Phil Lozen and the oh so impressive PR team at Domino's are back at it again. To be honest, before I moved to college, I had never had a Domino's pizza. SHOCKING! I know... hey maybe if I tweet that [@PRCollegeGrad  Yes, that was self promotion] I'll end up getting Patrick Doyle to show up on my doorstep with a delicious pizza. Anyways, back to the campaign - I could not believe the newest commercial and the plan to Rate Tate.  If you think I'm going insane due to all the term papers I still have write... I'm not. That's their  "slogan" for the newest menu item - Chicken.  

After watching the commercial, the first thought that popped into my mind was "sucks to be that guy." I mean not only will he forever be known as the Chicken Man, he's probably never going to be able to walk down the street without hearing "I RATED YOU TATE!" Now, I haven't tried the chicken and most likely will not, but I thought it was so smart to put a "Rate Tate's Chicken" option on top of the boxes. Maybe once I do try the chicken I'll be able to answer this question but... how are you supposed to submit your rating? It's on top of the chicken box. Maybe you go online? If anyone has the answer let me know.

Overall, I love what the Domino's PR team has done in the past year or so in revamping the reputation of Domino's. All I hope is that 1. Tate is a real employee [ Ever wonder that? ] 2. If Tate does work for Domino's that his chicken does in fact  taste DELICIOUS otherwise Tate you should call up Steve Bartman and find out how he went undercover, because you might need some tips!

I love Tate's reaction to the box, wonder what happened when they told him he only gets a parking spot if he does well.

Sony won't hold it against us, right?

Like many college females like myself who grew up listening to those oh so deep lyrics of Ms. Britney Spears [ex. I'm not a girl, not yet a woman ] I COULD NOT wait for BSpears to come back, for what the 4th time? and wow us all with "Hold It Against Me." I will admit, Britney's music is not the Beatles, but you know what - "All You Need is Love" doesn't get me nearly as pumped up while running as "Overprotected" will.  At first listen I fell in LOVE with H.I.A.M, so I naturally could not wait for the video. 

The hype for the choreography, graphics, and theme in general was all everyone could talk about, so I was happy I could finally see what all the "insiders" were talking about.  After watching the music video all I could think was

 HOLY PRODUCT PLACEMENT BATMAN!

In case you live under a rock and haven't seen the video yet, take at a look and try to count how many times the Sony logo is oh so delicately placed.

Now, I've had plenty of college professors ruin my favorite T.V. shows by using them as examples when we talk about product placement. I mean if its small enough that I rarely notice it, I'm OK with it... but Britney's editors didn't even attempt to make it discrete. While looking for stills of the product placement, the first article that came online claimed that B.Spears made... are you ready for this?

$500,000 from the product placement.

I can't even find an NON PAID internship, yet this chick gets a half a million for putting a T.V. in her video. God, my life sucks compared to this. I'd take $5 right now, I wouldn't be greedy. But after seeing the number she got paid, I'll admit it ... I would have done the

exact same thing.

Below are the products seen in the video [ in case you somehow manage to miss them.] I must say it's pretty fricken' impressive that Britney managed to place her own perfume. Now that takes talent.