Indeed, T-Mobile, a unit of Deutsche Telecom AG (NYSE: DT), is planning to drop Catherine Zeta-Jones from its commercial and marketing materials. Management probably thinks Catherine Zeta-Jones doesn't sell product, or at the very least, wouldn't sell the new products T-Mobile is planning to launch.
According to The Wall Street Journal, T-Mobile is leading the way with a planned October launch of a new generation of Internet phones. These cellphones can roam onto Wi-Fi connections at home or onto T-Mobile hot spots. T-Mobile might even offer Vonage-like Internet calling service. Either way, the new services would be cheaper and are intended to attract customers away from both wireless and land-line phone companies.
New services/products means a re-branding effort, right? Hence the ending of the contact with Catherine Zeta-Jones as it expires next year and phasing her out of the marketing materials. What T-Mobile is planning, they say, is more man-on-street-approach, which I sincerely hope will not include YouTube-prepared commercials.
Well, I don't know if Catherine Zeta-Jones is indeed selling, but I do know that many guys are going to hate this decision; many gals too. Come on, what would you rather hear (not to mention see) in a commercial? The beautiful Catherine Zeta-Jones saying "Get more" in that deep voice of hers, with that sexy English Welsh accent that rounds the 'R' in 'more', or an ordinary guy saying "Can you hear me now?"
How can you replace Catherine Zeta-Jones? After all, she forged her boss's signature just so she could catch Brad Pitt and company in Ocean's 12, she actually gave Tom Hanks a chance in The Terminal, not to mention her continuing her husband's drug trafficking business in Traffic. I know what I want, and I want to "Get More."



Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
9-29-2006 @ 8:23PM
Llewellyn said...
Wake up! Catherine Zeta Jones is Welsh and that is why she has the great accent and is so beautiful!
9-29-2006 @ 11:09PM
amy said...
I feel bad everytime I see her commercial getting paid millions. I rather have discounts and free phones.
9-29-2006 @ 10:53PM
jyl said...
She is also very annoying, like a china doll waiting to break! She never has a hair out of place. Is she real? No, I am not jealous of her, I just do not care for her and the "perfect" image she upholds.
9-29-2006 @ 11:04PM
MAGGIE said...
ZETA-JONES IS SO YESTERDAY,PASSE, FINI.AND THESE GUYS ARE NO FOOLS.
9-29-2006 @ 11:29PM
Nikki Pratchios said...
I absolutely think loosing Catherine is the worse mistake this company could make.....so scalding classy hot...I couldnt wait to sign up. t-mobile is only one of several......she helped your name stand out in a crowd.
9-30-2006 @ 12:53AM
Pongo said...
It's so wonderful to have a spokeswoman like Catherine with class and style. Such a change from talentless rock stars and sports persons with no personality and even less talent.
9-30-2006 @ 1:18AM
Dolly Sheppard said...
1st off, is T-Mobile # 1 ? I do believe having C. Zeta Jones was the best person to a well known boring commercial! This will be T-Mobile LOSS not hers. After all,, isn't she a WELL KNOWN actress????? DUH!
This won't hurt her but it will help her go back to a REAL JOB!
Not a T-Mobile fan but I do like her.
9-30-2006 @ 1:17AM
Dolly Sheppard said...
1st off, is T-Mobile # 1 ? I do believe having C. Zeta Jones was the best person to a well known boring commercial! This will be T-Mobile LOSS not hers. After all,, isn't she a WELL KNOWN actress????? DUH!
This won't hurt her but it will help her go back to a REAL JOB!
Not a T-Mobile fan but I do like her.
9-30-2006 @ 1:39AM
roland said...
T-Moble should hire Rosie O'Donnel as their spokesperson, just like ABC did to the View, and T-Moble will go into the tank, fast.
They could use this for a slogan, "REPLACE BEAUTY WITH THE BEAST, T-MOBLE!"
10-02-2006 @ 3:41AM
mperez said...
I would love to see paris hilton or even vanessa manilo, lets face it sex sells, turn up the heat and turn up the sales, while catherine is beautiful she's has her day for this type of commercial advertising. t-mobile needs to step things up a bit, I loved her while she was in the commercials but all good things come to an end. kudos to t-mobile for trying a change. cant let advertising get stagnant...just my 2 cents :)
10-03-2006 @ 12:19PM
Leo a solis said...
I think zeta is not a good spokeswoman because she is not the right age demographic for all cellphone users I have been a t-mobile customer for 5 years and they need someone much more recognizable to younger people.After all in this case text sells not just sex.
10-03-2006 @ 3:11AM
George said...
Last time i checked Catherine was Welsh and had a welsh accent! I do think T-Mobile will regret its decision but i also think that Ms Zeta Jones was always a bit too classy for those commercials! The most beautiful woman i have ever seen!
10-02-2006 @ 2:46PM
jimlampley said...
she is a barking dog. smokes, pitted skin, irish whiskey, curses like a sailor. most overrated female attraction in the pseudoskin game.
10-02-2006 @ 2:52PM
szmclennan said...
Catherine Zeta-Jones ! What is the big deal? We all adore her, but she has been with T-Mobile for a long time. She may or may not be disappointed in the change. This is all about marketing and advertizing. She is probably just as ready to move on herself. It is time for a change. The challenge will be if they can come up with someone or something as dynamicas she has been!!!
10-02-2006 @ 5:04PM
Margaret D. said...
Catherine Zeta-Jones is very dull....and not much of an actress either and the last time I saw her picture in a magazine she was wearing a bikini--and she shouldn't have been. She no longer has the bod for it. Her biggest claim to fame is who she's married to--maybe they should have Michael do the commercials.
10-02-2006 @ 4:44PM
peggy said...
I think she is beautiful and personable, if their
product doesn't sell, perhaps people are just tired
of it. I don't think people buy because of a spokes-
person anyway. If I really wanted something I would
buy it if Godzilla was touting it....
10-02-2006 @ 4:58PM
Kimberly said...
I've always thought this was a bad match. She's so beatiful and classy... and the cell phone pushers are always ghetto.
10-02-2006 @ 5:02PM
N. Krone said...
She is one of the 3 most beautiful women in the world. I couldn't understand why she would even do a commercial for you in the first place.
10-02-2006 @ 5:05PM
Margaret D. said...
What's her claim to fame really? I saw her in a magazine wearing a bikini and she shouldn't have been. I could never figure out WHY T-Mobile hired her in the first place...as far as recognition goes, her face is not that well known. I think they'd do better with (and I cannot believe I am saying this) a Paris Hilton type. But only if she doesn't talk.
10-02-2006 @ 5:20PM
Jean Burdulis said...
Well I for one think it is time to move her out. Yes, she is beautiful and sexy and a decent actress. However, some of her outfits are rather trashy and has led me to believe the company isn't serious about thier product and its merits when it pushes sex.