Comments on: Parody http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/01/26/parody/ Fascinating, Inspiring, Rewarding and Engaging kinded spirits. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:57:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Captain Flummox http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/01/26/parody/#comment-22950 Captain Flummox Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:54:58 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/parody/#comment-22950 Yes, shooting for funny can be dangerous, difficult, powerful and irresistible. In other words, completely worth it. Humor is so easy to appreciate, and so hard to do. Lewis might be right that most companies who try for funny fail, but I think the percentages are improving. I've seen some very funny spots for Fedex and Nextel, among others, and that flies in the face of my notion that the larger the company, the less entertaining (funny) the commercial. Yes, shooting for funny can be dangerous, difficult, powerful and irresistible. In other words, completely worth it. Humor is so easy to appreciate, and so hard to do. Lewis might be right that most companies who try for funny fail, but I think the percentages are improving. I’ve seen some very funny spots for Fedex and Nextel, among others, and that flies in the face of my notion that the larger the company, the less entertaining (funny) the commercial.

]]> By: kamran http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/01/26/parody/#comment-22782 kamran Tue, 30 Jan 2007 11:44:30 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/parody/#comment-22782 Jen- I live for parody, and I especially love the computer 'Geek Squad' guys from that big box chain of electronics stores (is it Best Buy?) I have never had need (or more accurately, acknowledged the need) for their services, but the whole dynamic of the white short sleeve shirt, thin black tie, bcg glasses, pocket protector, and badges make me laugh every time I see them. The ability to be able to laugh at one's self is lacking in so many self-important places these days. Jen-
I live for parody, and I especially love the computer ‘Geek Squad’ guys from that big box chain of electronics stores (is it Best Buy?)
I have never had need (or more accurately, acknowledged the need) for their services, but the whole dynamic of the white short sleeve shirt, thin black tie, bcg glasses, pocket protector, and badges make me laugh every time I see them. The ability to be able to laugh at one’s self is lacking in so many self-important places these days.

]]> By: Lewis Green http://brainsonfire.com/blog/2007/01/26/parody/#comment-22558 Lewis Green Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:30:08 +0000 http://brainsonfire.com/blog/parody/#comment-22558 Jennifer, Wonderful post. When you write, "You have to know not only the truth of the thing you’re representing, but also what people perceive to be the truth," it is most important to understand people's perception, because that is the only truth that matters. And if we do it right, our values-driven brand will inspire and influence that perception so there becomes a merger of the two truths. As for comedy, it is hard. In fact, it is so hard that businesses who attempt it as part of their marketing strategy most often fail. It is not a tool to be used lightly. Jennifer,

Wonderful post. When you write, “You have to know not only the truth of the thing you’re representing, but also what people perceive to be the truth,” it is most important to understand people’s perception, because that is the only truth that matters. And if we do it right, our values-driven brand will inspire and influence that perception so there becomes a merger of the two truths.

As for comedy, it is hard. In fact, it is so hard that businesses who attempt it as part of their marketing strategy most often fail. It is not a tool to be used lightly.

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