From The Smoking Gun:
Claiming that its image and persona have been hijacked as part of a marketing campaign for Burger King’s new chicken fries, the costumed heavy metal band Slipknot is threatening the fast food giant with legal action. In the below August 4 letter, the band’s lawyers charge that Coq Roq–a mock metal band featured in new Burger King commercials–was created as a “look-alike, sound alike ‘band’ in order to influence the Slipknot generation to purchase Chicken Fries.”
You can read the entire legal complaint and decide for yourself. Imagine the team of lawyers that put this together while trying to keep a straight face about the whole mess.
And is there really a “Slipknot generation”? I’m 33. What does that make me? Am I part of the “Dexy’s Midnight Runners generation”?
Fret not, danny g.
Or maybe do fret. It only gets worse.
I’m 46 and I’ve barely just begun. Even so, Sally Hogshead wouldn’t speak to me.
from her site:
“An expert on high-performing employees and managers under 45, Sally helps also companies recruit, motivate, and retain these key professionals.”
Nancy
Sally Hogshead claims to be “an expert on high-performing employees and managers.” Yet she started an agency of her own which quickly folded, then set up Crispin’s LA office – which she left shortly before it shut its doors. She may have carved out a nice little career for herself, but she doesn’t seem to know squat about running a business. Just another self-annointed Messiah with a questionable track record in management.
Slipknot Hires Lawyers To Coq Bloq Burger King & Crispin
We found this blog entry very interesting so we’ve added a Trackback to it on our site.
Slipknot’s sales must be slipping. I’ve seen one of the BK commercials and it’s far from a slipknot rip off. Actually, if any rock act should be up in arms it’s Ministry and Al Jourgenson. Still, the ripped it off from various biker b-movies, Mad Max and Native American head-dress.
What a stupid lawsuit.
Dear Not a Fan,
So, if I were to be looking for partner in business–
{because I know that I am not that good at that, and I much prefer dabbling in graphic programs than excel charts and business graphs (unless, of course, that were to be making graphs in graphic design programs)}
—would you not recommend her or her book?
Also… is it really more about who you closely um…network… yea, network with than the net worth of one’s work?
So, who is an overaged beginner to trust in this business? Or should I just give up and start looking for a job as a parenting consultant for the children (Consult kids to ride bikes, to swing on swings) of all these important and busy, busy, business people –seeing I have had such excellent experience raising children?
Nancy
Dear Nancy:
I am afraid those are questions you will have to answer yourself. It is not for me to tell you to listen to Sally Hogshead or buy her book. It’s your money, so it’s your decision.
God knows it’s not as if Sally Hogshead doesn’t have some useful advice to offer. It just seems highly ironic to me that someone who passes themselves off as an expert on management doesn’t seem to quite have the knack for managing businesses herself. It’s kind of like Robert Evans writing a book on the secrets to a successful marriage.
Sincerely,
Not A Fan
Dear Not a Fan,
Fear not, those are fair things to consider. I will take it to heart.
Thank you very much,
Nancy
I’m not quite sure why this Hogsheadian discourse is taking place under this entry about BK, but what the hell, I’ll go with it.
Sally’s “Radicalize Your Career” article which spawned the book idea, is outstanding. I haven’t read her book yet–it ships from Amazon in early Sept. More than likely, I will read it at some point.
One of the big insights from her article is the idea that you get to choose one of three paths in advertising. Creative greatness, money, or going home at 5:00. If you’re lucky, she says, you might get two of the above, but never three.
Dear Nancy:
Glad I could be of assistance, fair maiden. Best of luck to you.
Not A Fan
PS: David, I apologize for leading the discussion off topic. Like I said, I’m certain Sally Hogshead has some trenchant insights to offer about advertising and creativity. I just question her credentials when it comes to the mechanics of building and sustaining a business, i.e. recruiting and retaining employees.
David,
I apologize for getting off topic. I think it was in my first post where danny g mentioned his age and I went with that after clicking on Sally’s website. To tell you the truth I was a bit taken aback by the under 45 limit Sally chose. Though I do understand her concentrating her knowlege to a certain segment, I would argue what age has to do with it? I think that was danny g’s point, too. Or did I misunderstand that generational gap thing.
As for those three things: I guess I have to consider myself lucky in choosing my career path up to this point. Maybe I can somehow carry two out of three over into a career change.
Nancy
Dear Not A Fan:
Sorry to be jumping in late on this one, but I worked for Sally Hogshead for almost two years – I’d been in advertising for five years when she recruited and hired me. She was an incredible manager, and not just because she’s a great creative. Unlike other bosses I’ve had in this business, Sally was a very smart leader. You could tell she was keenly aware of the business side of things… I can’t remember a day that she wasn’t busting her ass and doing whatever necessary to motivate the team. Also, I’m pretty sure her agency was open for years before Crispin hired her away, so maybe you are actually confusing her with someone else?
I haven’t read her book but I understand she spent a couple years researching it and I’m willing to bet it’s going to be smart and good. If you know Sally or her work, I think it’s pretty hard to assume otherwise.
-jojo52