Very interesting story/rant over on WalletPop.com about the latest in a line of DirecTV (NYSE: DTV) ads -- this one featuring Chris Farley. Jami Bernard, the rant's author, is upset that David Spade is using a famous clip from his and Farley's hit comedy Tommy Boy to advertise the satellite-television provider. Bernard argues that Farley would not have liked to be remembered for a minor fat joke.
How was that assumption exactly made? Farley made fun of his size. He made his money by being an oversized, clumsy, fish-out-of-water comedian, so how can we determine that a "minor fat joke" (which some may argue is the funniest part of a very funny movie) is how he would or would not like to be remembered?
I understand better the outrage over David Spade using his dead friend to make a buck, a friend whose funeral he did not attend because he "couldn't have gone into a room where Chris was in a box." So, even though the Farley family agreed to the ad, some anger over Spade's use of Farley's image is warranted. Heck, he could have used Chris's brother, who is tarnishing the image of his brother by trying to recreate his comedy in commercials for his own benefit.
Now that my rant is over, let's talk about how effective these ads are. Today, people are talking about the ads. If you do an Internet search for "DirecTV ad" you will find that there is no shortage of discussion in both the news and the blogosphere about the Farley commercial. I remember an old saying that any publicity is good publicity, and that is exactly what is happening with DTV today. The company is being talked about -- bottom line! Will this discussion translate to new subscribers? We can only guess.
In order for the stock to move higher, it will need a push in order to challenge with the upper reaches of the $27 region. The stock has retreated from the $27.75 level three times in the past two years -- action which helps calcify potential resistance. Will the Farley ad lead to a breach of this resistance? Probably not, but again, any publicity is good publicity.
Twitter finally reveals revenue ambition, wants to be Google -- but not yet
Google says: Chrome for Christmas
Why is gold marching higher? Ask the central bankers
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-28-2009 @ 11:44AM
licoriceval said...
It is totally distasteful. Whar was David Spade thinking. Oh, I know, of the almighty buck. I thought he played immoral characters on TV, but no, he is one. Go ahead David, sell your our soul and the image of your dead best buddy.
10-28-2009 @ 12:50PM
anthony vignocchi said...
every body is using dead people to sell stuf
tony the chef selling knives
oxyclean. etc
10-29-2009 @ 9:13PM
thedude said...
they did it with Fred Astaire to hawk a vacuum cleaner
Natalie Cole did a duet with her dead father
I'm sure there have been other instances as well
All it does is prove how tasteless most Americans have become
11-03-2009 @ 11:41AM
K Smith said...
When is DISH going to jump on the dead guy gravy train? Maybe Jake Gyllenhall or Michelle Williams is ready to offer up Heath Ledger? Just wrong. I thought this YouTube video was rather fitting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEMg90MgNbg
11-03-2009 @ 4:33PM
KE Smith said...
I found another funny one for those that are interested! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YiyFk2GuPM