Comments on: Bad Bread And Circus http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/bad-bread-and-circus/ The Marketing Rebel RANT Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:20:14 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: James Legacy http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/bad-bread-and-circus/comment-page-1/#comment-3489 James Legacy Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:25:58 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/28/bad-bread-and-circus/#comment-3489 Gee John, would you like to tell us how you really feel? :D Gee John, would you like to tell us how you really feel? :D

]]> By: Brent http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/bad-bread-and-circus/comment-page-1/#comment-3488 Brent Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:09:44 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/28/bad-bread-and-circus/#comment-3488 “Britney is gold, she is crack to our readers, Her life is a complete train-wreck and I thank God for her every day.” Harvey Levin Managing Editor of TMZ TMZ is actually owned by Time Warner! They shovel more mind drivel your way as a way to generate publicity. It was a way for "The Man" them to compete against popular independent websites. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/20/business/media/20carr.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1217620847-WZoqdjeRCw/2KatyJJlHJQ Even though they catch the celebrity in a compromising situation it still benefits the celebrity by putting them in peoples minds and giving them "free" advertising. As for TMZ they can attract huge ad dollars, because the advertisers know they have a captive audience waiting for the compromising photo or video. My own opinion is it is set up as a distraction for the masses and mind control, but this is another topic for another time. Can anyone learn something from this? Sure! Time Warner makes TMZ "look"(so I like quotes) independent, but it's just one big publicity mill about the stars and past stars they own or have owned. In practical application you can develop a site or source to look "independent" to help generate publicity or give credibility to what you are pitching. Trickery? Yes! However, these companies do it all the time. “Britney is gold, she is crack to our readers, Her life is a complete train-wreck and I thank God for her every day.” Harvey Levin Managing Editor of TMZ

TMZ is actually owned by Time Warner! They shovel more mind drivel your way as a way to generate publicity. It was a way for “The Man” them to compete against popular independent websites. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/20/business/media/20carr.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1217620847-WZoqdjeRCw/2KatyJJlHJQ

Even though they catch the celebrity in a compromising situation it still benefits the celebrity by putting them in peoples minds and giving them “free” advertising. As for TMZ they can attract huge ad dollars, because the advertisers know they have a captive audience waiting for the compromising photo or video.

My own opinion is it is set up as a distraction for the masses and mind control, but this is another topic for another time.

Can anyone learn something from this? Sure! Time Warner makes TMZ “look”(so I like quotes) independent, but it’s just one big publicity mill about the stars and past stars they own or have owned.

In practical application you can develop a site or source to look “independent” to help generate publicity or give credibility to what you are pitching. Trickery? Yes! However, these companies do it all the time.

]]> By: Copywriting Kid http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/bad-bread-and-circus/comment-page-1/#comment-3487 Copywriting Kid Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:43:20 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/28/bad-bread-and-circus/#comment-3487 <strong>Why Copywriters Gotta Put Up With Shit...</strong> John Carlton recently wrote about TMZ and went into a little rant about dirty-laundy crap like that. Upon reading it, I thought: “Gee, why is he getting irritated about it? Why does he even waste his time with stuff like that?” Well, turns ... Why Copywriters Gotta Put Up With Shit…

John Carlton recently wrote about TMZ and went into a little rant about dirty-laundy crap like that.
Upon reading it, I thought: “Gee, why is he getting irritated about it? Why does he even waste his time with stuff like that?”
Well, turns …

]]> By: Copywriting Kid http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/bad-bread-and-circus/comment-page-1/#comment-3486 Copywriting Kid Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:00:24 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/28/bad-bread-and-circus/#comment-3486 <b>JC wrote:</b> <i>"If you’re going to market to people… or, since your handle is “Copywriting Kid”, I assume you’re in advertising, or plan to be… you need to be PART of the culture you sell to. So you must engage, and understand how your fellow citizens are operating. [...] But you cannot just wander off into your own little world, and pretend the driving issues of the culture can’t affect your efforts to do business. That’s a disconnect. That’s a good way to have your marketing efforts disemboweled."</i> Haha, we got a little Bambi meets Godzilla situation going on. Ok, I got it (I hope!). Thanks for putting my head straight. You're right, I want to get into advertising. Lots to learn, that's why I read your blog. And this was quiet an epiphany. Will get my daily dose of pop culture from now on. JC wrote:
“If you’re going to market to people… or, since your handle is “Copywriting Kid”, I assume you’re in advertising, or plan to be… you need to be PART of the culture you sell to. So you must engage, and understand how your fellow citizens are operating.
[...]
But you cannot just wander off into your own little world, and pretend the driving issues of the culture can’t affect your efforts to do business. That’s a disconnect. That’s a good way to have your marketing efforts disemboweled.”

Haha, we got a little Bambi meets Godzilla situation going on. Ok, I got it (I hope!). Thanks for putting my head straight. You’re right, I want to get into advertising. Lots to learn, that’s why I read your blog. And this was quiet an epiphany.

Will get my daily dose of pop culture from now on.

]]> By: Dave C http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/bad-bread-and-circus/comment-page-1/#comment-3485 Dave C Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:08:59 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/28/bad-bread-and-circus/#comment-3485 JC wrote: “… you need to be PART of the culture you sell to. So you must engage, and understand how your fellow citizens are operating But you cannot just wander off into your own little world, and pretend the driving issues of the culture can’t affect your efforts to do business.” That is the most difficult part of marketing for me – relating to the mindless masses. I admire your stamina in that department. You and Dan K have repeatedly lectured us on that subject. Gene Schwartz said to watch popular movies multiple times. I know all successful copywriters watch TV. And I know I should too. But I can’t stand pop music, movies, food, radio, and I don’t watch television. I am trying tho… I rely on the Interweb for news, forums for opinions, radio, and even vids. Add the odd magazine, Saturday National Post newspaper, and lots of books. And a technique I’ve been refining since I learned it selling home sanitation systems door-to-door -- listening to what real people say… a technique best polished by constantly reminding myself why I have two ears and one mouth instead of the other way around… Like the song says… “One nation under a groove… gettin down, just for the funk of it…” <strong>John Carlton replies:</strong> Stay with it, Dave. I've developed alternate personalities -- like Dr. Smooth -- to handle situations I was uncomfortable with. Pretend you're a "culture spy", and spend one day a week at the mall, buying popular magazines to read that night, and watch one evening of TV. As a spy, you won't even have to hold your nose. You're like Jane Goodall with the apes -- taking notes and observing deeply. The Funk is only "funky" if you've got your nose too high in the air... JC wrote:
“… you need to be PART of the culture you sell to. So you must engage, and understand how your fellow citizens are operating But you cannot just wander off into your own little world, and pretend the driving issues of the culture can’t affect your efforts to do business.”

That is the most difficult part of marketing for me – relating to the mindless masses.

I admire your stamina in that department.

You and Dan K have repeatedly lectured us on that subject. Gene Schwartz said to watch popular movies multiple times. I know all successful copywriters watch TV. And I know I should too.

But I can’t stand pop music, movies, food, radio, and I don’t watch television.

I am trying tho… I rely on the Interweb for news, forums for opinions, radio, and even vids. Add the odd magazine, Saturday National Post newspaper, and lots of books.

And a technique I’ve been refining since I learned it selling home sanitation systems door-to-door — listening to what real people say… a technique best polished by constantly reminding myself why I have two ears and one mouth instead of the other way around…

Like the song says…
“One nation under a groove… gettin down, just for the funk of it…”

John Carlton replies:

Stay with it, Dave. I’ve developed alternate personalities — like Dr. Smooth — to handle situations I was uncomfortable with. Pretend you’re a “culture spy”, and spend one day a week at the mall, buying popular magazines to read that night, and watch one evening of TV.

As a spy, you won’t even have to hold your nose. You’re like Jane Goodall with the apes — taking notes and observing deeply.

The Funk is only “funky” if you’ve got your nose too high in the air…

]]> By: Mike the Thai Guy http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/bad-bread-and-circus/comment-page-1/#comment-3484 Mike the Thai Guy Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:32:30 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/28/bad-bread-and-circus/#comment-3484 Hey John, It's kinda interesting that folks who have never done anything of any interest or importance in their life are fascinated by seeing TALENT dragged down to their level. For me it's kind of an indication of the way that the man works. First thing they teach you at school when you arrive as a terrified kid who would rather be at home in the garden is to... YES that's right... SIT DOWN AND KEEP QUIET. And what's more they are then subjected to years of crap about what it means to conform...oops sorry I meant to say "Be successful" by someone that has done nothing better than getting a parking space in Homepro at the end of season sale. The poor little sods tykes go through years of homegenisation to keep them the same. Shit...They don't want you to be different, unique or a success in any way....apart from theirs. It's exactly those reasons and that sort of mind numbing brain washing that decided me and a whole heap of other folks to drop out and do what we love doing. BEING ourselves. The man doesn't like individuals as they upset the mushroom management strategy they operate with. thing is that most folks are just too plain old fashioned, brainwashed to see it. Keep ranting John, Stay hot, Michael Hey John,
It’s kinda interesting that folks who have never done anything of any interest or importance in their life are fascinated by seeing TALENT dragged down to their level.

For me it’s kind of an indication of the way that the man works.

First thing they teach you at school when you arrive as a terrified kid who would rather be at home in the garden is to…
YES that’s right…

SIT DOWN AND KEEP QUIET.

And what’s more they are then subjected to years of crap about what it means to conform…oops sorry I meant to say “Be successful” by someone that has done nothing better than getting a parking space in Homepro at the end of season sale.

The poor little sods tykes go through years of homegenisation to keep them the same.

Shit…They don’t want you to be different, unique or a success in any way….apart from theirs.

It’s exactly those reasons and that sort of mind numbing brain washing that decided me and a whole heap of other folks to drop out and do what we love doing.

BEING ourselves.

The man doesn’t like individuals as they upset the mushroom management strategy they operate with.

thing is that most folks are just too plain old fashioned, brainwashed to see it.

Keep ranting John,

Stay hot,

Michael

]]> By: Robert Woodring http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/bad-bread-and-circus/comment-page-1/#comment-3483 Robert Woodring Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:56:45 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/28/bad-bread-and-circus/#comment-3483 Mob Control! For fun I looked up the meaning of mob. From dictionary.com :"directed at or reflecting the lowest intellectual level of the common people." I think that also describes our schools also. And politicans. Hardly anybody questions anthing anymore. If an expert, government authority, politican, special interest group, celeberity says something is true, common sense seems to go out the window. Keep people ignorant and you can control them. There's so much crap that passes for the truth that I watch very little TV and lately I've been turning off the radio. And most reality tv shows disgust me. Mainly I do this because I know how easily information can be slipped into your subconcious and affect your decisions. Sometimes it might pay to "drop out" and take the garbage out. Mob Control!
For fun I looked up the meaning of mob. From dictionary.com :”directed at or reflecting the lowest intellectual level of the common people.” I think that also describes our schools also. And politicans.
Hardly anybody questions anthing anymore. If an expert, government authority, politican, special interest group, celeberity says something is true, common sense seems to go out the window.
Keep people ignorant and you can control them.
There’s so much crap that passes for the truth that I watch very little TV and lately I’ve been turning off the radio.
And most reality tv shows disgust me.
Mainly I do this because I know how easily information can be slipped into your subconcious and affect your decisions.
Sometimes it might pay to “drop out” and take the garbage out.

]]> By: Tom Ash http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/bad-bread-and-circus/comment-page-1/#comment-3482 Tom Ash Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:48:11 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/28/bad-bread-and-circus/#comment-3482 Good Morning: While I don't watch TMZ, apparently the "market" disagrees with you. After all, the show is still on. As a marketing person, you must respect that fact. I enjoy the music of George Clinton, and some of Sly Stone. However, I respect the fact that others don't. That's what makes our country great: we are free to disagree without recourse (mostly). Your writing generally brings positive information (in my opinion) to the world. Hopefully it offsets the negativity foisted upon us by TMZ. Stay positive, things will even out - probably just not as fast as you like. Tom Ash agentspayingforward.com <strong>John Carlton replies:</strong> Hi Tom. Actually, I don't get the feeling the goons on TMZ have ever heard any of the music here. That's part of why it frosts me: The position that these musicians are old, and thus worthless to us now, and thus acceptable fodder for trashing. It's the lack of respect, and the smug self-righteousness of TMZ's attitude that gets me. It's "We're okay, but you're not okay." And yes, this is a very Quixotian rant on my part. I'm tilting at windmills. But it hit a nerve... JC Good Morning:
While I don’t watch TMZ, apparently the “market” disagrees with you. After all, the show is still on. As a marketing person, you must respect that fact.

I enjoy the music of George Clinton, and some of Sly Stone. However, I respect the fact that others don’t. That’s what makes our country great: we are free to disagree without recourse (mostly).

Your writing generally brings positive information (in my opinion) to the world. Hopefully it offsets the negativity foisted upon us by TMZ. Stay positive, things will even out – probably just not as fast as you like.

Tom Ash
agentspayingforward.com

John Carlton replies:

Hi Tom. Actually, I don’t get the feeling the goons on TMZ have ever heard any of the music here. That’s part of why it frosts me: The position that these musicians are old, and thus worthless to us now, and thus acceptable fodder for trashing.

It’s the lack of respect, and the smug self-righteousness of TMZ’s attitude that gets me. It’s “We’re okay, but you’re not okay.”

And yes, this is a very Quixotian rant on my part. I’m tilting at windmills. But it hit a nerve…

JC

]]> By: Blake http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/bad-bread-and-circus/comment-page-1/#comment-3481 Blake Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:19:50 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/28/bad-bread-and-circus/#comment-3481 "If life plays out the way it should, all of them are headed for karmic blow-outs designed to force-feed a little humility and respect into their jaded skulls." Maybe it's just me, but I think the most potent karmic penalty for this type is having to spend 24 hours a day confined to their small minds and surrounded by people just as conceited as themselves. Being an ass is its own punishment. <strong>John Carlton replies:</strong> Hey, Blake -- I absolutely agree. Long ago, I learned to get over resentment and anger with people by saying "Tomorrow, he's gotta wake up and still be him. That's gotta hurt." Still, it takes other people to do damage-control on what these guys have wrought... JC “If life plays out the way it should, all of them are headed for karmic blow-outs designed to force-feed a little humility and respect into their jaded skulls.”

Maybe it’s just me, but I think the most potent karmic penalty for this type is having to spend 24 hours a day confined to their small minds and surrounded by people just as conceited as themselves.

Being an ass is its own punishment.

John Carlton replies:

Hey, Blake — I absolutely agree. Long ago, I learned to get over resentment and anger with people by saying “Tomorrow, he’s gotta wake up and still be him. That’s gotta hurt.”

Still, it takes other people to do damage-control on what these guys have wrought…

JC

]]> By: Patrick http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/bad-bread-and-circus/comment-page-1/#comment-3480 Patrick Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:27:34 +0000 http://www.john-carlton.com/2008/07/28/bad-bread-and-circus/#comment-3480 I have to agree with you John. What type of negative affect does this garbage have on the people who watch it? If a 15 second commercial shown on TV at various intervals during a night can sell a product, is it also possible to conceive that a program like TMZ or similar can sell us a life style? Garbage in, garbage out. Has anyone here watched the DVD "The Secret". The law of attraction. It's about manifesting good things into your life by focusing on them. One of the sayings from it is "Energy flows where attention goes". I'm not a prude nor perfect either. No one is 100% all the time, we're all human. Cut people some slack and look at their good qualities. Having said that... I sure would like to hear more stories about you (John) and your mate Gary Halbert. You guys sure are interesting characters. Now, I wanna hear everything, all the juicy bits, don't miss out a thing! Now that's really peaked my interest. Damn, I guess I'm no better than the TMZ watchers. P.S. But it's in the name of writing better copy... please... I have to agree with you John. What type of negative affect does this garbage have on the people who watch it?

If a 15 second commercial shown on TV at various intervals during a night can sell a product, is it also possible to conceive that a program like TMZ or similar can sell us a life style?

Garbage in, garbage out.

Has anyone here watched the DVD “The Secret”. The law of attraction. It’s about manifesting good things into your life by focusing on them. One of the sayings from it is “Energy flows where attention goes”.

I’m not a prude nor perfect either. No one is 100% all the time, we’re all human. Cut people some slack and look at their good qualities.

Having said that… I sure would like to hear more stories about you (John) and your mate Gary Halbert. You guys sure are interesting characters.

Now, I wanna hear everything, all the juicy bits, don’t miss out a thing!

Now that’s really peaked my interest.

Damn, I guess I’m no better than the TMZ watchers.

P.S. But it’s in the name of writing better copy… please…

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