The PGA without Tiger Woods - does it matter?

And so it begins. Now that Tiger Woods has decided to step away from golf while he and his wife resolve the now public issues, advertisers and golfers are running from him. The greatest golfer, arguably ever, is quickly learning who his friends are.

I won't speak about what Tiger did or his wife's reaction. That is a private matter for them both. But I will comment on the reaction this is having. And like dominoes the effect is just triggering more and more reactions.

Gillette is now the first of the major advertisers to step away from Woods. While not quite running, they are going to quickly minimize the ads that feature Tiger. Gillette claims this is their attempt to help Woods minimize his public presence. Which oddly enough sounds more like they are trying to not piss of women that might buy their product because they somehow link it to Woods actions.

So far Nike has remained the most dedicated to Tiger of all the advertisers. Which makes sense as Tiger has done everything they could have hoped for with their golf equipment line. With Woods out of competition, it's hard to know exactly what will happen to future ads in 2010. Still I think there will be something that features Woods and Nike. And I commend that in at least the fact that they acknowledge what was done for them. Plus I hate rats fleeing a sinking ship, before it starts to sink.

In the world of golf there are mixed comments. There are those that wish the Woods family encouragement in their efforts to resolve this issue. There are those that have shared their feelings about similar troubles, like John Daly. These are respectful comments that I think make sense, though the best are those that refuse to speak about a private matter.

Then there are golfers like Colin Montgomerie. His comments that focus on his ability to win now just annoy me.

"I feel that it gives us more opportunity of winning these big events now."

It rings petty, considering that it is an admission that were the best golfer in the world around, he and others like him, could never have a chance. Montgomerie is just not that good.

I can't wait to see how Montgomerie feels when he sees what winning without the presence of Woods means. Inevitably the prize purses in the PGA are going to drop without Woods. The viewership of televised events, and likely the number of events covered, will drop. A Lot. Because no one really cares if Colin Montgomerie wins, but everyone cares if Tiger plays.

The big question to the PGA and professional golf, even advertisers, has to be what will happen if Tiger comes back? What happens if Tiger doesn't come back, or he is incapable of the dominance he has had in the sport? What happens to all the charities and organizations that Woods created and sponsors? Perhaps John Daly summed it up well

" They always say there is no one bigger in golf than the game itself. But Tiger is."

Somehow I think it's going to be quite a while before we see ads like the following again:





And it will be a long time before we see this in golf videos



Sadly I think we have all witnessed the end of the Tiger Woods era. No matter when he comes back, I think his spirit has been broken. He will still win, and he will break records. But the greatest moments of his career will likely be behind him. In a way it's just a shame to know we will never see what he could have been. And we will never see his kind of ability again in our lifetime, of that I am sure.

Guinness goes after African American middle class

I saw a really cool commercial for guinness beer today. You might have noticed it recently as it just came out on the 9th of this month. It's called Fortune Favors The Bold.

The concept of the commercial is a lone pint of Guinness beer is poured and then sent sliding down a bar. It continues across a rail, over the hood of a taxi, down the street on a skateboard, across a construction I-beam, to a window sill. Inside the office of that same window sill we see a smartly dress Black guy closing a deal with another businessman. The Black guy obviously has the upper hand and the beer arrives just as he closes the deal to his satisfaction. He then picks up the beer and toasts the deal.

I've been looking for the video of this commercial but have yet to find it. [Update - thanks to a reader, I know have the video]



It's really well done on multiple levels. It's obviously targeted to African Americans and the middle class. It's not about hip hop or being ghettofabulous. It's smooth and interesting.

Of the many commercials that are targeted solely to African Americans this is one of the best I've seen in a long time. In fact I think that McDonald's, Burger King, and American Express can learn a lot from this commercial - just to name a companies that seem to have no idea how to market to the Black community without blaring music and hip hop.

It's yet another sign that some in advertising understand that the Black community is not a single uniform entity that can only be approached with street slang and minstrel-like joviality. Nor are we so unaware of what is happening that we don't notice when we are made to be the butt of jokes or marginalized in a commercial that seemingly is supposed to endear us to this brand or that.

Considering the roughly $1 trillion in buying power that African Americans use every year, the approach by Guinness is a refreshing change of pace.

Now if I can just find that video clip.

Family Guy breaks Windows

If you have seen the show Family Guy, and at this point that would be most anyone from age 45 and down, you know what you are going to get. The jokes are hardly tame, the show is about as close to All in the Family as Archie was open-minded. But there is no question that this is all a given.

That's why advertisers love this show. Most of the time. Because they can reach their target audience, plus other people equally flush with cash. And almost every product can fit into the theme of any episode. It's just that sometimes the advertisers just can't handle an episode or a dozen.

Microsoft is the latest of advertisers to balk at the content. After making major plans, and potentially a lot of money, to have Seth MacFarlane hawk Windows 7 in the upcoming Family Guy special Microsoft lost their nerve. Either that, or the execs that loved the demographics of the show never bothered to watch a single episode before they made the deal.

But once they did get to watch a special taping of what they would be involved with, well the deal broke. It seems that deaf people, the Holocaust, feminine hygiene and incest are all topics that Microsoft can't find humor in. Not that any of these things are new subjects for this television program to tackle. I suppose they really would have lost their minds if it included the recurring BDSM themes of the show (or maybe they would have liked that??)

Honestly this makes me wonder only one thing. How stupid can the brains at Microsoft be? All they had to do is watch less than 30 minutes of television and they would have known if this was the right kind of show for them. A quick Google search (or MSN if they want to lie) and they would have found no end to the topics that some object to on Family Guy. Instead they look dumb, snobbish, and insincere.

Somehow I think Microsoft will get a bit of advertising in the end. It may not be this episode (though I think it will be) but I think that Seth MacFarlane will trash talk the computer giant - with references to broken windows or more directly to the landmine that was Vista. Somehow I don't think Microsoft will like the attention, and I'm sure it won't add to their bottom line. But it will probably be very funny.

So I look forward to seeing that in Family Guy.

Oh, for Microsoft. I have advertising space available for you on my blogs, if you can handle what I say. Give me a call.

Don't mess with Disney

There are a few things that just can't be done. Or at least not without stirring up the ire of one of the largest and most powerful media companies in the world.

The Walt Disney Company is known for a couple of things. Family animated films is perhaps one of the best know items. And as an example the characters Mickey Mouse, Bambi, and Snow White may be one of the oldest and most widely known of their family films.

But over the years there have been literally hundreds of.. less than family oriented takes on these characters. In fact Snow White has been the subject of more porn revisions than any other topic or subject ever. In fact, as I recall, no film in the world has had more revisionist remakes than Snow White.

Which is likely the insiration for this ad



It's not the Snow White you grew up with.

This version is the child of an ad agency promoting a new beer in Australia. The concept is "Anything but sweet". And the ad is obviously just that. It definitely reflects more on the porn revisions than Disney.

How this sells beer, I'm not quite sure. Condoms sure. Maybe even cigarettes. But beer? I suppose you have to be Australian to get it. (Though I'm surprised none of the characters are in blackface - or is that a line even Australians won't cross much like South Africa in the past)

Obviously Disney isn't happy. The ad is currently pulled from the internet, and next to impossible to find. Though Disney hasn't said anything publicly, there is little doubt they are involved with the sudden disappearance.

I will say this for the ad makers - The Foundry - Ho White and the Serven Dwarves is effective. It caught my attention as well as Disney. It may not sell beer, but it sure will drive attention.

I wonder what will be next?

Best Buy owes you a 52" flatscreen television for $9.99

Perhaps it's me, but I expect that when a company makes an offer that I accept they are bound to the deal. IF I try to back out of it, they will sue me and/or get bill collectors bugging my every move. Basic economics right?

Well Best Buy seems to think otherwise.

Now I understand mistakes happen. And I feel really bad for the guy who used to be the webmaster for Best Buy. But an offer is an offer. And if you made a deal with the company, it's a contract.

In fact, I recall that back in the 1950's nearly the same exact problem happened. I believe it was Sears that had an ad for a Black and White television for $13.99 in Sunday papers. It was supposed to be $139 or something like that. They tried to back out of the offer, and got sued.

If I am recalling this correctly, the Courts found that Sears (if it was them) was in the wrong and was obligated to provide the televisions at the advertised price. I think it was called the truth in advertising case. (If anyone knows for sure, please correct me where needed). And it was this case that created all the little disclaimers you see in every printed and most televised ads.

The question here is if Best Buy had such a disclaimer on their site and/or online ad. And that disclaimer had to be on the site at the time of the promotion. If they did not, they don't get an option. Like in the 1950's case they will have to provide the televisions at the offered price until they sell out of them.

Because they made a contract with the public. And even in these days of the Government breaking contract law, Joe Average and regular businesses of all sizes are still bound by that.

If Best Buy continues to balk at living up to it's words, and they did not have the disclaimer (if anyone has proof of this please do let me know) they need to be sued and forced to live to their word. Making other deals and refunds or whatever just doesn't cut it. And they know it.

There are rules out there, and sometimes people try to take advantage of the younger computer savvy generation with old laws they do not know, or the older less savvy generations with their lack of knowhow with the internet. Which I find distasteful.

No wonder the stock price was down. I think Wall Street smells blood in the water.

100 days for $100 dollars - advertisers

In honor of the 1000th post at Black Entertainment USA, and because of the holiday season and the current economic downturn I have decided to give a helping hand to advertisers. It is because of the confidence I have in the blogs of M V Consulting, and the quality they provide that I am willing to provide the following offer:

Any advertiser that wishes to have a text based or photo ad on a blog or site of M V Consulting, Inc. will gain the introductory price of $100 for 100 days.

There is no catch to this. There is no requirement for future commitments, there is no hidden fees. It's simply a $350 savings and an introductory offer.

I have that much faith in the performance of my blogs and sites that I believe any advertiser will be interested in continuing their ads after the 100 day period and renew under the price structure as seen at my advertising rates.

I am willing to do this because I feel that advertisers that would choose to reach my visitors need help in this environment. And I believe that quality goods and services are something that my readers will find useful.

Now I will not have spam and/or hordes of ads on my sites. Restrictions on the number of ads still exist. And ads will need to be approved for content and quality. I will not ruin the sites just for a quick buck. I've worked too hard for that.

Any advertiser that is interested in contacting me can reach me about any questions, payment options, and restrictions at the following: Contact me

Advertising With M V Consulting, Inc.

As the various blogs and sites of M V Consulting, Inc. have grown opportunities for advertising have increased as well. This of course matches the growth of the blogs and general internet use. Back in 2005, when Black Entertainment USA was created, roughly 60% of homes had at least 1 computer and 5% of internet users visited a blog regularly. Today while first time computer purchases are relatively flat visitors to blogs have grown to approximately 15%, up 300%.

Black Entertainment USA (BEB) in 2005 started like a tree falling in the woods. Gaining a mere handful of visitors and author Michael Vass unknown to search engines. Such is the start of most businesses.

But the growth in blog visitors and corporation ownership, like Microsoft, is nothing compared to M V Consulting’s sites. BEB is now seen in over 115 countries every month with enough visitors to fill a mid-sized city. Today BEB is ranked among the top 86,000 out of over 55,000,000 blogs in the whole world. This growth, which continues even now, cannot be marked in hundreds of percentage but tens of thousands of percent!

The junior blog of M V Consulting, VASS, has had similar growth and perhaps more targeted attention. While not as old as BEB, this blog is extremely popular in North America and other English speaking nations. Focused on social issues, politics, and the U.S. Presidential election this blog has been highly recognized. VASS is one of 2 blogs featured by TV One (a cable network with over 40 million subscribers) at its online website for the Presidential election coverage.

And Author Michael Vass, once an unknown voice, is now a highly searchable and respected blogger covering a wide spectrum of topics of interest. Mr. Vass can now be found via the Google engine (in web and image searches), Yahoo, MSN, frequently on the African American Opinion, African American Political Opinion, B.I.G. Magazine online as a guest writer, and over 22 blogs of the 1800blogger family of blogs – all in addition to his writing at the M V Consulting blogs.

The net result is that the sites of M V Consulting are a perfect format for any company that seeks to reach American or international attention and internet visitors. Companies of all sizes advertising to African Americans, Whites, Men and/or Women, the college educated, singles and married internet users between the ages of 18 – 55 will find that the M V Consulting websites matches or exceeds (by as much as 250%) the internet averages for each target consumer group.

To learn more about the advertising rates and ad restrictions (ie. no pornography, no sites linking to pornography, no redirected links, ect.) please see the Ad Rates.

M V Consulting, Inc. reserves the right to deny any ad it deems objectionable, inflammatory, or pornographic.

The sites of M V Consulting. Inc. will never list more than 10 client ads maximum (including banners on top or bottom of a page) on any site – with the number being based on limiting distraction to readers and visitors as determined by M V Consulting itself.