By Peter Johnson
USA Today
Many observers view the resignation of veteran CNN executive Eason Jordan, after a drumbeat of Internet criticism over his remarks about journalists being targeted by the U.S. military in Iraq, as evidence of Web bloggers' increasing clout. >>Read more at USAToday.com
2.15.2005
Defending Anheuser-Busch's 'Applause' Spot
Super Bowl Ad Commentary by Hoag Levins
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Since the Super Bowl there has been a good deal of debate about Anheuser-Busch's "Applause" spot, with some European pundits even suggesting the third-quarter commercial was a marketing blunder.
They're wrong.
Emotional impact
As the author of AdAge.com's weekly TV Spots of The Week column, where I rated it my favorite Super Bowl ad, and also as a Vietnam veteran, I found that "Applause" touched into that 5,000-volt area of feelings about war and honor and death and duty in a way that brought tears to my eyes. It was a common reaction to an ad that physically extended beyond the TV screen. At last week's iMedia Summit in Bonita Springs, Fla., attendees began to spontaneously applaud as they watched the commercial -- literally becoming part of the airport terminal crowd in the spot.
In terms of a brand's need to emotionally connect with the true and most important feelings of its audience, this ad achieved a rare level of success. In terms of contrary international reaction, it is not surprising that many of the world's factions would find the ad as exactly repugnant as we find Osama bin Laden's video manifestos.
2000 'Respect'
In the end, "Applause," created by Omnicom's DDB, Chicago, was a work as brilliant as it was powerful. It will ultimately be as well-remembered as Anheuser-Busch's 2002 Super Bowl "Respect" spot that had the Clydesdales genuflecting in homage before the crater where the World Trade Center once stood.
~ ~ ~
Hoag Levins is the editor of AdAge.com.
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Since the Super Bowl there has been a good deal of debate about Anheuser-Busch's "Applause" spot, with some European pundits even suggesting the third-quarter commercial was a marketing blunder.
They're wrong.
Emotional impact
As the author of AdAge.com's weekly TV Spots of The Week column, where I rated it my favorite Super Bowl ad, and also as a Vietnam veteran, I found that "Applause" touched into that 5,000-volt area of feelings about war and honor and death and duty in a way that brought tears to my eyes. It was a common reaction to an ad that physically extended beyond the TV screen. At last week's iMedia Summit in Bonita Springs, Fla., attendees began to spontaneously applaud as they watched the commercial -- literally becoming part of the airport terminal crowd in the spot.
In terms of a brand's need to emotionally connect with the true and most important feelings of its audience, this ad achieved a rare level of success. In terms of contrary international reaction, it is not surprising that many of the world's factions would find the ad as exactly repugnant as we find Osama bin Laden's video manifestos.
2000 'Respect'
In the end, "Applause," created by Omnicom's DDB, Chicago, was a work as brilliant as it was powerful. It will ultimately be as well-remembered as Anheuser-Busch's 2002 Super Bowl "Respect" spot that had the Clydesdales genuflecting in homage before the crater where the World Trade Center once stood.
~ ~ ~
Hoag Levins is the editor of AdAge.com.
2.13.2005
Nashville Blogger Meet-up
On Saturday, I attended a "Nashville Blogger Meet-up" with Lindadblu and Bruce LeRoy. There were probably 20 or 25 people there. It was great to meet some of the people behind the blogs and get to say hello to old friends as well. Hammock-man was there with his son Knight...who got to help sign-off the AM newscast. Pretty cool.
The most interesting part of it for me was just stepping foot into News 2 for the first time in almost two years. Despite my initial apprehension about this, it went well. Saw some old friends and got to see some things that have happened since I left.
While the tone of the meet-up was up and positive. I must say, red flags went up in my head...only because I know that for the most part the station (management) is long on talk and short on action. News 2 says they are going to "collaborate with bloggers" and Sechrist gave the bloggers present at the meet-up an outline of how they plan to do this. My hope is that there is really a plan...an that they will follow-through. Keep your fingers crossed that it wasn't just a bunch of hot air.
The most interesting part of it for me was just stepping foot into News 2 for the first time in almost two years. Despite my initial apprehension about this, it went well. Saw some old friends and got to see some things that have happened since I left.
While the tone of the meet-up was up and positive. I must say, red flags went up in my head...only because I know that for the most part the station (management) is long on talk and short on action. News 2 says they are going to "collaborate with bloggers" and Sechrist gave the bloggers present at the meet-up an outline of how they plan to do this. My hope is that there is really a plan...an that they will follow-through. Keep your fingers crossed that it wasn't just a bunch of hot air.
Funeral of a friend's daughter.
After my meet-up on Saturday, I attended and sang at the funeral of Manny and Pat Buzell's daughter. A severe asthma attack took Jackie's life last Monday. She was only 43.
The whole thing really hit me when I saw Manny & Pat give her one last kiss goodbye. It took everything I had not to cry while I was singing...I was shaking.
Then her husband spoke about her...and I cried giant crocodile tears. They were a team and he was lost without her.
While the whole experience was so sad...it also caused me to take stock in my life (as these events often do). It made me appreciate my wonderful husband more than ever. John is my better half and the thought of living in a world without him...well...I don't want to think about it.
It also made me think hard about our families and friends. They're literally a thousand miles away. I've got to get better at keeping in touch and letting them know that I do think about them all the time. Sometimes it's just too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. Time passes way too quickly. I don't ever want to wish that I'd called or visited more often...because at some point...it will be too late.
Anyway...blah blah blah....
BOTTOM LINE:
Love you guys.
BB
The whole thing really hit me when I saw Manny & Pat give her one last kiss goodbye. It took everything I had not to cry while I was singing...I was shaking.
Then her husband spoke about her...and I cried giant crocodile tears. They were a team and he was lost without her.
While the whole experience was so sad...it also caused me to take stock in my life (as these events often do). It made me appreciate my wonderful husband more than ever. John is my better half and the thought of living in a world without him...well...I don't want to think about it.
It also made me think hard about our families and friends. They're literally a thousand miles away. I've got to get better at keeping in touch and letting them know that I do think about them all the time. Sometimes it's just too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. Time passes way too quickly. I don't ever want to wish that I'd called or visited more often...because at some point...it will be too late.
Anyway...blah blah blah....
BOTTOM LINE:
Love you guys.
BB
2.10.2005
NSAI Song Camp 101
I'm thinking about attending NSAI's Song Camp 101...but am not sure whether I should bite the bullet or not ($395).
Leaning toward doing it... partly because the camp includes some huge songwriters that I could learn from / network with AND partly because it falls over our President's holiday at work and I'll only have to take one vacation day to make it work.
What do you think?
Should I go for it?
UPDATE: OK...I'm goin' for it. Droppin' off my tape and (gulp) check 2/16. I'll let you know how it goes!
Leaning toward doing it... partly because the camp includes some huge songwriters that I could learn from / network with AND partly because it falls over our President's holiday at work and I'll only have to take one vacation day to make it work.
What do you think?
Should I go for it?
UPDATE: OK...I'm goin' for it. Droppin' off my tape and (gulp) check 2/16. I'll let you know how it goes!
TONIGHT at 6:15!!!
Just wanted to give you a quick reminder that I'm playing tonight at the French Quarter Cafe in East Nashville. Joining me are Kiwamu Stewart (guitar) and Johnnny the Clock (percussion). They'll be kickin' in the grooves and makin' things feel good.
If you're not sure where to find the French Quarter, below is the address and a link to Mapquest so you can find your way from where you are...and then there you are...will be...? Well...you get my drift. ;)
French Quarter Cafe
823 Woodland Street
Phone : 615-227-3100
Mapquest driving directions link:
http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp
Hopefully, I'll see some of you tonight!
BB
UPDATE: Saw TONS OF YOU at the gig Thursday night (2/10). THANK YOU so much for coming out to support my music habit. Lindadblu, Daisy, Betty, Patricia, Tim, Donna, Bill, Rick, Rollie, Rosemary, Gary, Marilyn, Frank, Beth, Mike, Bob, Jenny, Julia & friend, Dawn, Melissa, Kiwamu and JTC...y'all ROCK.
NEXT GIG: French Quarter; 2/24 at 7 p.m.
If you're not sure where to find the French Quarter, below is the address and a link to Mapquest so you can find your way from where you are...and then there you are...will be...? Well...you get my drift. ;)
French Quarter Cafe
823 Woodland Street
Phone : 615-227-3100
Mapquest driving directions link:
http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp
Hopefully, I'll see some of you tonight!
BB
UPDATE: Saw TONS OF YOU at the gig Thursday night (2/10). THANK YOU so much for coming out to support my music habit. Lindadblu, Daisy, Betty, Patricia, Tim, Donna, Bill, Rick, Rollie, Rosemary, Gary, Marilyn, Frank, Beth, Mike, Bob, Jenny, Julia & friend, Dawn, Melissa, Kiwamu and JTC...y'all ROCK.
NEXT GIG: French Quarter; 2/24 at 7 p.m.
2.09.2005
NBC's Go-To Guy
While Fox News Channel remains the favorite network of Republican lawmakers, NBC's new anchor, Brian Williams, is the one turning GOP heads. Message guru and former MSNBC contributor Frank Luntz says in a confidential memo to Hill leaders that Williams has emerged as the "go-to network anchor" because of his brains and "lack of detectable ideological bias." Luntz credits NBC Executive Producer Steve Capus for "a flawless transition to a new generation of news anchor." Still, Fox and CNN lead the nets when it comes to GOP loyalty. (US News & World Report)
Objectivity and non-bias in the news...what a concept?!
Go Brian Williams!
Objectivity and non-bias in the news...what a concept?!
Go Brian Williams!
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