Oh2 NO!

I didn't mean to be crude with my initial thoughts when the news of Michael Jackson's death hit my ears, but the problems O2 are going to face with his death are going to be very testing for the company.

I know it is too early to suggest the issue but O2 executives need to think of something fast - with the bad press that the 50 date tour was going to be postponed, I can count on it that the board of directors are, well, shitting themselves. Because of course, this was no ordinary tour. 50 dates with the King of Pop. That is a lot of ticket re-payments

The O2 hasn't really said much on the issue yet, biding their time by sending the condolences to the Jackson family. But they have said they will have a plan in due course.

The main problem is paying back, or issuing vouchers to those ticket holders who purchased their tickets straight from O2, Ticketmaster and other reputable sellers. This will cost them Millions of pounds.



Then there is the other problem, which is not really O2's problem, with those who have bought tickets on ebay for £1000. Will Ebay have to deal with complaints? will O2? or do they just say "Tough". I predict the latter to happen.

But what does this mean for the Corporate responsibility of Ebay? At Bournemouth University, there are serious consequences for those who sell on their Summer Ball tickets. Should the same principles be applied to all tickets? These problems we see with the Michael Jackson case will not exist, but will it cause more problems than those that it solves - people who can no longer go to the gig, rather than selling on principle of making money? these people will lose out. And surely, it is like any other product on ebay, the t-shirt could be fake and the CD could be scratched. Isn't it?


No. Gig tickets and tickets to any kind of event are perishable. They are only worth something before a certain date. As with food, it is only suitable before a certain date and if something is wrong with it, you can take it back to the producer. There are rules in place that allow this. However I think it is the responsibility of companies like Ebay to prevent the re-selling of tickets online because there is no safety net al all for the buyers!




Scott

Stella Artois 4

This advert was developed by Mother and released earlier on this month. However I have only just come to notice that the lines are a mix of English and French. The Belgian beer talks to the audience in French and to really create the European feel to finally slug the old wife beater image into the gutters.

Great.

However, when this slightly smug Belgian (I would be, exchanging my chicken van for a classic car, with that even more smug old Belgian) when ordering his beer, asks "Stella Artois Four SVP" . . .

STOP.

This is, I suppose, not really Mother's fault for such . . . Inaccuracies. Having been to Belgium, they don't say "four", but "quatre". Obviously marketed by Stella with the English touch to appeal to those English drinkers whom drink copious amounts. This is understandable, however, it seems to take the tinge of authenticity away. It's like buying "authentic" Iceland branded Italian Pizza.

Well, not quite, it is just highly annoying.

Best Campaign of the last 12 months . . .

I had been asked about my favourite advertising campaign of the last 12 months whilst applying for a Grad scheme at a top London Advertising agency. This really got me thinking about what it actually was. Planning on saying the obvious choice for many, Cadburys, I had to change my mind as that campaign started way back in 2007. How time passes you by when you’re having fun.

So I concluded that it was the T-mobile Life’s for Sharing campaign that did it for me. I am not alone in my thoughts as S&S win Gold at Cannes in the Direct Lions Category for 'Dance'.

But why do I think it is so great? Well everything is executed perfectly.

Firstly the flash-mobs and events - I first saw the Dance advert in the offices of Saatchi and Saatchi earlier on this year where I met one of the key thinkers, Richard Huntington (visit his blog HERE). My initial thoughts were mixed. I wasn't really sure what to make of it, but having mulled it over, and with the release of the second stunt, I became a fan.

The events and flash-mobs create an initial 'buzz' around the people in attendance. It makes the public, stop stare and engage with whatever is happening. You can see in 'dance' that the some of the public are joining in with the dancers (you can tell by not knowing what they are doing and the slight embarrassment on their faces) and in 'Sing Along', 13,500 people have 2,00 microphones singing along to the tunes blasting out in Trafalgar Square. It is a great example of what the tag line preaches - Life's for sharing.

The public involved, are sharing the experience by being there and calling friends as the event is happening. The material gained from these events are then not only used on TV but passed around online. It is pure genius - embodying the brand perfectly.

Those who were there are happy to be involved, and want to see themselves at these events. Consumers actively want to be involved with the T-mobile brand. I know, when I heard that T-mobile was holding a Sing-Along event in Bournemouth, i got excited and immediately looked youtube for it. Trying to pick out anyone I knew.

I don't think that the posters really transfer the meaning as well as the TV adverts and online campaign, however the are essentials in it, and act as a support for what most people have already seen.

I would like to say well done Saatchi & Saatchi and T-Mobile

Image courtesy of Cannes Lions

Cheers, Scott