I know Back to School is a big time of year for retailers but pissing off the parents isn’t going to help JC Penney sell clothes.

Unless the parent is eighteen years old, and has no idea the commercial is a pathetic attempt at an homage to The Breakfast Club

There’s nostalgia and then there’s stupidity on the part of the ad agency. Some things should be left alone even when the main focus is for families to “Get that Look”

If they need an example of a commercial that gets it right, here’s one starring the former Doogie Howser, MD himself,  Neil Patrick Harris –

It’s so successful, I almost forgot I didn’t have man parts and considered buying Old Spice. OK, not really. But still.

digg Del.icio.us Technorati kirtsy Yahoo My Web Stumble Upon Bloglines Email this

Although I live in Manhattan, home of the Macy’s Fireworks display, my favorite Fourth of July was spent a few years ago in Boston.

The Boston Pops Orchestra played as we sat on one of the areas lining the Charles River closed off to the traffic so everyone could watch the fireworks. It was absolutely beautiful. And it was amazing to see live. When we got back to the hotel, it was airing on PBS if I remember correctly but it really wasn’t the same.

My kiddos were asleep tonight long before the 9:25 start of the Macy’s fireworks display so I turned on the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular special on CBS to see Steven Tyler and Joe Perry performing (since I didn’t plan to head over to the East River and watch the Macy’s fireworks display.) Pretty cool. Was probably so much better in person. Duh, of course.

I really have to wonder what the members of the Boston Pops orchestra think when they have to perform with a rock or R&B act. Maybe they are silently cursing whoever made them share their screentime as they performed their special “Liberty Fanfare” string salute to the U.S. Or maybe they were just secretly wishing Dr. Phil and his wife weren’t hosting.

That’s the reason I only lasted 10 minutes of the special.

digg Del.icio.us Technorati kirtsy Yahoo My Web Stumble Upon Bloglines Email this

Every time publicists pitch me their client’s product and then demand that it be returned after the segment is taped, I always decline to show their product. And I even hear this request from publicists representing $5 items.

A producer friend of mine has a few choice words when people tell her she has to return product and while I can’t repeat what she says here; I personally always politely tell them it benefits their client to leave the product sample in my sample closet. Why? Because I’m often called last minute to tape a television segment or do a live segment (Still can’t believe I was up when I was called at 2AM to do a last minute segment!)

The producer sometimes has an idea of what they would like me to show. Other times, they just want me to bring products I have and create a segment with a timely theme. And that is why it is my belief that smart companies finish first.

Here are the companies that were included in tomorrow’s 5 o’clock CBS News segment here in Manhattan. They all have founders or reps who were smart enough to never ever question that leaving product with me in case an opportunity arose was the right thing to do. It allowed me to tape the segment this morning without making frantic calls asking for product to be messengered to me if the company was in Manhattan. And if they weren’t located in Manhattan, they would have totally just missed out.

MD Moms Baby Silk SPF sunscreen wipes
http://www.mdmoms.com

Protect-a-Bub Sun Protective Swim Wear
http://www.protectabub.com

Tilley Kids Top Notch Toppers
http://www.tilley.com

Who’s Shoes child ID kit
http://www.whosshoesid.com

Wander Wear easy to spot t-shirt and 2 1/2″ clip on tag
http://www.wander-wear.com

Parents of Invention Sidekick diaper bag with built in child carrier
www.parentsofinvention.com

digg Del.icio.us Technorati kirtsy Yahoo My Web Stumble Upon Bloglines Email this