Let's Market Every Band to Death!

As if Aerosmith-themed scratch off lotto tickets are not lame enough...the commercial pimping them is even worse. Good Glam, a bizarre version of Steven Tyler singing "Dream On" while a fish swims in a tank, jumps out and drives a car to the nearest lotto seller? WTF?

Bands will lend their precious brand to anything these days. You know, some things really do go with rock: beer, musical instruments, ripped jeans. Hell, even condoms. But lotto tickets? And KISS with their Mr. Potato head dolls and Motley Crue songs featured in movie trailers at films geared toward kids and on and on and on. To a point, I really support all of this because it broadens the fan base for the bands we love. Still, I do think there's a point at which something becomes so diluted, it's no longer special.

When I was a teenager, I stopped dead in my tracks any time I saw any member of Aerosmith on TV. If there was a review or feature in a newspaper or magazine, I got so excited. So much over exposure from endorsements has sort of diluted my excitement.

I dunno. Maybe I'm just embarrassed Aerosmith allowed their image and logo to be used on Rhode Island scratch-offs. Here's that lame ass commercial I mentioned:

Comments

[Lucifer]

I know exactly what you mean, I get really excited whenever I hear/see anything about any of my favourite bands on TV or in movies or anything, but I guess that's because they're hardly ever featured on anything these days... I dunno if it would become diluted as you say, because bands like Kiss i never liked in the first place.

[Nancy]

What's been up with you lately? Usually your pretty good but you've been slamming some of the best bands lately. I look for good quality journalism not the crap you've been posting lately.

[Bryon]

I have no problem with anyone using their brand to make money. But I don't really understand this. Aerosmith can afford to be picky with what they endorse, so why a lottery in Rhode Island?

[David Gasten]

Great article and good point! I really agree with you that the "Scorched Earth" marketing policy is not a good policy. And I disagree with Nancy's comment that this is "crap"--it's about as well put as can be and I think speaks on behalf of a lot of people who feel the same way.