Mike Skinner sells his soul to Reebok

[Divisive Cotton]

Rather predictable respones really... take the money and run!

 

[kyser_soze]

There really is some shite being spouted on this thread...

I just posted this thread because I hate it when artists sell out - they are no longer artists in my opinion but corporate commodities. Their credibility as an artist is gone forever, and they will not be remembered for the music they made but the artistic license they had forsaken to sell out to the corporate club. In Mike Reebok's case, his music will no longer be seen as an expression, but merely a vehicle to flog expensive, crappy trainers.

So we remember Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Da Vinci, Michelangelo as corporate sell out whores and not their art do we? The reason rich artistos and the Church and the Medici's sponsored them was for the same purpose Reebok want to sponsor Skinner - it associates their name with artistic endeavour which they hope will improve their image with others. Nothing has changed, only the numbers.

You make a popular website, he makes popular music and thats where the similarities end.

How can you compare an inanimate website with a popular musician as marketing tools?

You have a very overblown view of yourself/website if you think either have more marketing appeal then Mike Skinner/The Streets.

You have NO fucking idea do you? The very nature of this site and it's users would make it an invaluable research and testing ground for edgier and more innovative brands - specifically how to market without loosing credibility.

One thing I find really interesting about this thread is the whole issue about how, according to the great and good posting on here, Skinner will no longer be 'cool' - TBH among Reebok's target group his coolness will go up no end. Your derisive comments are as much a slap in the face to the kids who will think this as much as anyone calling them chavs is. It's your opinions vs...ooo, maybe 2 or 3 million 15-34 yr olds and while I know there's the old adage about majorities being wrong (unless it's something you agree with of course) it's a classic example of people setting themselves up as exemplars of what is and isn't 'cool'.

I admire Ed for not taking sponsorship on this site - IMO whomever from AB approached him maybe isn't too familiar with the site's content and overall feeling about brands (and Budweiser in particular ) but to criticise someone for doing something that musicians have done for centuries shows a real lack of knowledge about the history of music and art generally.

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Everytime someone clicks on the link the Editor would get paid a predetermined sum, agreed between him and the sponsor.
.

You're missing the point. If the ed did this it would be a dramatic turnaround from what he set out to do. Skinner never set out to do anything other than sell things.

 

[kyser_soze]

Sorry Mr Retro, you're wrong.

The thing with marketing is that the value of a site, or in Mike Skinners case, a commodity depends totally on the audience that view it. People will pay *through the nose* to get their message to the right audience. If you look at the demographics of U75, and the assumptions of the lifestyles of the posters (by looking at their posts), then there is ample opporunity to run banners on the site. And they would be *very* profitable.

As an example, each section on this site could have adverts targetted to the specific audience, so adverts for flour in the cookery thread, hmv in the music thread, and sky in the film and tv thread.

Everytime someone clicks on the link the Editor would get paid a predetermined sum, agreed between him and the sponsor.

I think its refreshing that the Ed has no advertising on the site, but I could certainly see the monetary value in it if a decision was made to run adverts. With the revenue comes larger servers, marketing of U75, more subscribers, more adverts and so on until a larger company comes along and buys it. Then the Ed can retire into the sun. or the Albert.

So hats off for sticking to your principals Eds, but if you ever changed your mind, I certainly wouldn't begrudge you some financial success for the work you put in and the entertainment the site provides me.

Bastard you beat me to it...

 

[AverageJoe]

Ah - Mr Soze. I was wondering when you would appear...!

 

[exosculate]

I said they were fake
And on the make
Sometime ago
But you didn't want to know
I told you so
I told you so
I told you so

 

[AverageJoe]

You're missing the point. If the ed did this it would be a dramatic turnaround from what he set out to do. Skinner never set out to do anything other than sell things.

I wasn't comparing him to Mike Skinner, I was explaining the commercial value of this website and the potential for the Eds to make cash out of it. For the benefit of Mr Retros quote, like.

 

[Divisive Cotton]

One thing I find really interesting about this thread is the whole issue about how, according to the great and good posting on here, Skinner will no longer be 'cool' - TBH among Reebok's target group his coolness will go up no end. Your derisive comments are as much a slap in the face to the kids who will think this as much as anyone calling them chavs is. It's your opinions vs...ooo, maybe 2 or 3 million 15-34 yr olds and while I know there's the old adage about majorities being wrong (unless it's something you agree with of course) it's a classic example of people setting themselves up as exemplars of what is and isn't 'cool'.

I think you'll find you're one that's talking shit...

Why is Reebok more cool and more popular than other brands?? Their design? The quality? Certainly not the latter because the last and only time I bought a pair of Reebok trainers they fell apart after just a few months....

So what is the reason then? It is because of the millions they spend on advertising - that is the only reason.

We live in society where what is 'cool' is a top-down corporate idea - it is not organic and it doesn't come up from the streets, man.

 

[R.I.C.O.]

Kyser, what do you think of artists selling out then? Is it a "don't agree but understand" position?

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

I wasn't comparing him to Mike Skinner, I was explaining the commercial value of this website and the potential for the Eds to make cash out of it. For the benefit of Mr Retros quote, like.

ok, understood.

 

[exosculate]

Kyser, what do you think of artists selling out then? Is it a "don't agree but understand" position?

Since he's in advertising I would guess he approves of it.

 

[Divisive Cotton]

The argument so far...

Mike Skinner is cunt for selling out to capitalist scumfucks...

Mike Skinner has always been a cunt so what you complaining about...

 

[R.I.C.O.]

Since he's in advertising I would guess he approves of it.

Really? Shit!

What's that Bill Hicks quote again?

 

[kyser_soze]

I don't actually care that much unless it impacts on the quality of their work - AFAIC people have to make a living and given that the average career length for pop stars is about 7 years these days I think they're entitled to grab whatever cash comes their way. Make hay while the sun shines and all that.

I think you'll find you're one that's talking shit...

Why is Reebok more cool and more popular than other brands?? Their design? The quality? Certainly not the latter because the last and only time I bought a pair of Reebok trainers they fell apart after just a few months....

So what is the reason then? It is because of the millions they spend on advertising - that is the only reason.

We live in society where what is 'cool' is a top-down corporate idea - it is not organic and it doesn't come up from the streets, man.

Sorry, so what you're saying is that in trainer culture it's just the glossy ad campaigns and celebrity endorsements that make specific models cool? I'd suggest you go read some books on trainer culture mate.

 

[exosculate]

The argument so far...

Mike Skinner is cunt for selling out to capitalist scumfucks...

Mike Skinner has always been a cunt so what you complaining about...

If you change line two to - Mike Skinners music has always been overpraised childish nonsense which has so little credibility that it matters little what he does. Then I agree with that statement

 

[kyser_soze]

Really? Shit!

What's that Bill Hicks quote again?

That's about as original as quoting Python on a thread where the lefties start laying into each other...

Incidentally I find that whole skit extremely funny, as do most of the people I know who work in advertising and marketng who know Hicks' work

 

[exosculate]

Really? Shit!

What's that Bill Hicks quote again?

Don't get Kyser started on that one. He has a bit of a bugbear about it.

 

[exosculate]

That's about as original as quoting Python on a thread where the lefties start laying into each other...

Incidentally I find that whole skit extremely funny, as do most of the people I know who work in advertising and marketng who know Hicks' work

 

[AverageJoe]

I think you'll find you're one that's talking shit...

Why is Reebok more cool and more popular than other brands?? Their design? The quality? Certainly not the latter because the last and only time I bought a pair of Reebok trainers they fell apart after just a few months....

So what is the reason then? It is because of the millions they spend on advertising - that is the only reason.

We live in society where what is 'cool' is a top-down corporate idea - it is not organic and it doesn't come up from the streets, man.

This would be right if Reebok were the only ones advertising. But as other trainer manufacturers advertise as well, it negates the argument that

advertising = cool.

I agree that the moeny spent on advertising the product can show it in a light that would look cool to the intended audience, but they have to know the intended audience first. Find that and market to them, and you'll sell a lot of product. But you won't sell *all* your product or have a monopoloy on sales because the fickle human mind changes all the time and deems what is cool and not by the individuals own circumstances, peers and environment.

For example, when I was young DM's were cool. But because my circumstances have changed - I got older, different friends, maybe different music, became better read, I stopped wearing them.

No doubt amongst a certain group DM's still *are* cool, and thats fine but this is why companies have to constantly advertise and reinvent their product.

The only person who believes every bit of advertising he sees is Homer Simpson, and if everyone was like that it would make my job a lot easier!!!!

 

[R.I.C.O.]

Don't get Kyser started on that one. He has a bit of a bugbear about it.

That made me laugh - he replied even before you could get in! Someone's got a bit of a chip on their shoulder career wise methinks!!!

 

[kyser_soze]

DC - have a read of the section on 'cool searchers' in No Logo who spend most of their time observing various sub-cultures (youth and other) to see how specific clothing items start to gain credence. I'd also suggest reading the chapter on Hush Puppies in 'The Tipping Point' by Malcolm Gladwell.

 

[R.I.C.O.]

That's about as original as quoting Python on a thread where the lefties start laying into each other...

Incidentally I find that whole skit extremely funny, as do most of the people I know who work in advertising and marketng who know Hicks' work

Do you all sit round a table slapping each other on the back, hugging each other and singing to each other: "Were so good at advertising, were so good at advertising"

 

[exosculate]

This would be right if Reebok were the only ones advertising. But as other trainer manufacturers advertise as well, it negates the argument that

advertising = cool.

I agree that the moeny spent on advertising the product can show it in a light that would look cool to the intended audience, but they have to know the intended audience first. Find that and market to them, and you'll sell a lot of product. But you won't sell *all* your product or have a monopoloy on sales because the fickle human mind changes all the time and deems what is cool and not by the individuals own circumstances, peers and environment.

For example, when I was young DM's were cool. But because my circumstances have changed - I got older, different friends, maybe different music, became better read, I stopped wearing them.

No doubt amongst a certain group DM's still *are* cool, and thats fine but this is why companies have to constantly advertise and reinvent their product.

The only person who believes every bit of advertising he sees is Homer Simpson, and if everyone was like that it would make my job a lot easier!!!!

Not sure what you're saying here, but if you're saying advertising doesn't work you are taking Clapius Trapius.

 

[exosculate]

That made me laugh - he replied even before you could get in! Someone's got a bit of a chip on their shoulder career wise methinks!!!

I know - a bleedin quickdraw.

 

[kyser_soze]

Do you all sit round a table slapping each other on the back, hugging each other and singing to each other: "Were so good at advertising, were so good at advertising"

Not all the time, only when we see client market share go up, sales increase, unprompted brand awareness levels going up.

When that happens we all go to bars in Soho and drink overpriced Vodka and snort lines of coke so big they'd make your eyes water

 

[Divisive Cotton]

Many of the arguments in support of Mike Skinner are quite pathetic really... this is the way the world is so why bother complaining.

 

[exosculate]

Not all the time, only when we see client market share go up, sales increase, unprompted brand awareness levels going up.

When that happens we all go to bars in Soho and drink overpriced Vodka and snort lines of coke so big they'd make your eyes water

Any particular brand of voddy?

 

[AverageJoe]

Not sure what you're saying here, but if you're saying advertising doesn't work you are taking Clapius Trapius.

Not at all - I, like Kyser work in advertising.

I didn't put it very well. what I was trying to explain is that advertising per se doesn't make a product cool - it has as much to do with culture, peer pressure and environment as anything else. But the advertising takes the ideals and promotes them as a lifestlye. If that lifestyle appeals to the consumer, then the product becomes cool, because the consumer aspires to be cool and buys the product.

Advertising definitely works, and it always will. I think that explained it a bit better. Help me Obi Wan Soze - you're my only hope!

 

[kyser_soze]

Many of the arguments in support of Mike Skinner are quite pathetic really... this is the way the world is so why bother complaining.

I just don't see why he should be criticised by a bunch of self-proclaimed 'cool lords' about doing something artists have done for centuries.

Exo - Stoli Raspberry & Crandberry juice for me

 

[R.I.C.O.]

Not all the time, only when we see client market share go up, sales increase, unprompted brand awareness levels going up.

When that happens we all go to bars in Soho and drink overpriced Vodka and snort lines of coke so big they'd make your eyes water

FASCIST! FASCIST! FASCIST! FASCIST!

I'm getting an image of the guy out of American Psycho.....