Michael Phelps has to be the worst athlete/spokeperson I have ever seen. And don't even get me started on his hosting SNL, that was beyond sad. I like how they didn't even let him speak in this AT&T commercial, and yet he still makes it look hard. If anything, his inability to act should turn people off from the products advertised. Viewers know they're just trying to cash in on his 15 minutes yet because he can't act it really seems to amplify how desperate they must be for his celebrity endorsement. Why not just get a Michael Phelps cut out? It couldn't be any stiffer or more awkward looking than the real thing.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
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8 comments:
Why so angry? You sound like a fat 40-year-old virgin blogger. Relax. It's just an ad, and it's a funny one, imo. If you're not impressed with Phelps' acting skills, watch his abs...or don't watch it at all.End of story.
mmmm....Phelps abs (homer simpson-like)
I'm not an fat angry virgin blogger, I just play one on tv. But thank you for the personal attack. I really don't care about the commercial beyond creating discussion of advertising for people. Why would I watch his abs? They're half covered throughout the commercial. And why are you anonymous? Are you speaking more of yourself when you refer to a fat 40-year-old virgin blogger?
Haha our first hate commenter...I feel so proud! We've truly made it! You love us, you really love us!
I don't think that Phelps is doing anything wrong by becoming a sell out. Almost all celebrities have done it. Is it effective advertising and will it get people to buy your product - probably not. But if companies are stupid enough to pay celebrities an ridiculous amount of money to stand there holding a computer in a speedo than can you really blame him for doing it?
Personally, the jaded cynic in me expects every athlete, celebrity, and politician to sell out at some point. It doesn't surprise me that Phelps is willing to shill for anything. Like Alex, I think wasting money on a guy like Phelps is just that: wasting money. Whatever, it's their money to waste, right?
Where do you come up with the idea that money is being wasted? What a single opinion of an ad is does not compare to any type of return on investment. IMO about the ad...there is no need for Phelps to speak. The commercial isn't supposed to advertise how good Phelps can act. It uses something almost the entire audience knows (who hasn't heard about Phelps gold medals from this years olympics). Everyone knows how fast Phelps is, and now you can be faster! I think the advertisement is catchy. But in no way can you claim that this advertisement is either a waste of money or the best investment they've ever made without knowing what return has come from advertisement, whether it be monetary, brand awareness, or something else.
I will agree that Phelps is a horrible actor though :)
You make a very valid point Doug. Too often we jump on the creative without considering whether or not the ad was truly effective. I am definitely guilty of this transgression. Bad creative can sell just as well as good creative and good creative can be nothing more than just entertainment depending on your audience. Thank you for the enlightened perspective.
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