Now With 50% More Cynicism
In my previous post, I wrote about a contest U2 was holding where participants had to search for highlighted letters in banner ads placed on various websites. The letters would form an answer to a question that then qualifies entrants for the grand prize.
I speculated that some of the participating websites would be organizations that represented causes near and dear to U2’s hearts. I felt that, given U2’s(or at least Bono’s) penchant for advocacy, this would be a great awareness-building opportunity.
How wrong I was.
The final list of participating sites has been revealed. It includes Canada’s youth-friendly pseudo-news site Dose, but not a single website to any of U2’s pet causes. In fact, most are news and music site popular among youth and other savvy surfers & music aficionados. I.E. the people who buy U2’s music.
I should have expected this. I gave U2 too much credit and allowed for too much independence. The contest is clearly being driven by the music label and other companies with a stake in the U2 money-making empire.
Despite visiting all the participating sites and refreshing the pages to cycle through the ad inventory, I was unable to find a single example of the banner ads. This disappoints me as I was very interested to know where the banners link to. Guess it’s up to my imagination.
From now on, I promise to not give anyone credit until they’ve earned it. To quote a U2 lyric (only seems appropriate):
It’s no secret that a conscience can sometimes be a pest. It’s no secret that ambition bites the nails of success. Every artist is a cannibal. Every poet is a thief. All kill for inspiration then sing about their grief.
(from The Fly).
Tags: Music, Media, Public Relations
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