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July 20, 2007
Harry Potter and Secrecy
Seth Godin thinks that the Harry Potter publisher wasted $20 million on security efforts to keep the book under wraps before the release tonight/tomorrow. I think he's missing the point. They didn't spend a dime on security. They spent $20 million on marketing. Damn effective marketing, if you ask me. Without the pretense of the "security" the release of the photo images never would have been the headline grabbing stunt it was. The $20 million they've ostensibly spent on security measures keeping the book under-wraps has been more effective at keeping the news of the book in the press than $20 million of traditional advertising. Ineffective? Hardly. It even made me pay attention--and I've yet to read one of the books.
I think his idea of releasing the book with all but the three chapters is interesting. But so what? Then they hype surrounds leaking the last three chapters, rather than the whole book. And what do you gain? Not much. But you lose all that press from the leaking of the whole book...
The secrecy surrounding the release of this book was "security theatre" on a level unmatched except maybe by the TSA. I'm surprised Godin missed that. I think it was a brilliant way to use $20million. Beats the hell out of bus ads.
Posted by Dave! Permalink | Comments (3)
July 18, 2007
Sickening.
Today, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was indicted for dog fighting. Even one dog fight is sick and disgusting. But the allegations against Vick extend to running a nine state ring. And taking part in the brutal killing of dogs by such methods as beating, drowning, hanging, electrocution and immolation. Yes, he's accused of dousing a dog with gas and setting it on fire.
You know who else tourtured and killed animals? Ted Bundy. David Berkowitz.Jeffrey Dahmer.
The torture of animals is a common and frequent indicator of future violence against people. As if the animal cruelty isn't enough.
I believe in the American legal system and I understand Vick is innocent until proven guilty. But in the meantime, I think the Falcons and the NFL should suspend him pending investigation.
And if even a fraction of the allegations are true, he should be kicked out of professional athletics entirely, and spend the maximum sentence (a paltry six years) rotting in jail.
I'm disgusted. If you're disgusted, you should let the Atlanta Falcons and the NFL know.
NFL
National Football League
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Posted by Dave! Permalink
July 10, 2007
Making Up For Lost Time
I normally don't see ads on television (thank you, Tivo!) but this week, I did because my wife recorded one on purpose.
It was Elvis Costello shilling for Lexis.
Tonight, my wife comes up to my desk and drops a magazine ad in front of my face. There, in a two page spread...
Elvis Costello shilling for Visa.
For someone who went on Saturday Night Live and broke into Radio Radio, and who has always refused to license his songs for commercials, I guess he's making up for lost time.
It was a fine idea at the time...
Posted by Dave! Permalink | Comments (2)
July 1, 2007
Fun MPRE Facts!
Yes, I'm going to be taking the MPRE in August. (For those non-law talking types, that is the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam, read: ethics test.) I was at school the other day and saw a Barbri review flyer, and since I already put down a Barbri deposit (1st year) I get to take their review for free. Yipee. Anyway, the flyer contain contained these fun facts:
Illinois, Indiana, Kansas and Missouri require a score of 80 to pass. Kentucky, Michigan, South Dakota require only a 75. You can be 5 points less ethical in those states!! But watch out if you are taking it in Minnesota or Ohio... they require an 85, those goodie two shoes.
Best of all, Wisconsin doesn't require it! You can be as unethical as you want in Wisconsin. Go Badgers!
But the kicker, to me, is that in Illinois you have to have completed at least 60 hours of law school (2 years) in order to take the exam. They wouldn't want you taking it sooner, you know, because here in Illinois they recognize that after two years of law school you might be less ethical.
Posted by Dave! Permalink