Bestbuy.com and their bizarre Sept 11 rememberance [Archive]

chet

09-10-2002, 09:52 PM

http://www.poenews.com/stories/13305.html

As some kind of bizarre remembrance of 9/11, Best Buy is demanding all of their online affiliates stay up all night removing Bestbuy.com banners and links. This email was dated today and most people received it after 7:00pm EST. I guess bestbuy.com wants their affiliates to spend the evening with their computers, not with their friends and family.

As the one year anniversary of one of the most tragic days in
American History approaches, we would like to request that you
remove all Best Buy advertising from your site on Wednesday,
September 11th.

We have discussed this in depth with key partners in the advertising
industry and they have made the recommendation to
pull all ads, especially from content sites. They have also
stated that running ads may cause negative comments to be
directed at both the publisher and the advertiser.

We understand that this decision may reduce sales from your
company as well as ours, but given the circumstances, we would
rather err on the side of respect. For those of you who have
been personally impacted by this tragedy, please know that our
thoughts are with you and your family on this day. Thank you in
advance for your cooperation, and please contact us immediately
if you have questions or concerns.

Regards,

The BestBuy.com Affiliate Team

Murph

09-10-2002, 10:11 PM

So, their timing sucks. I think it's a cool guesture.

I much prefer it to the way every network is handling it, reliving the day over and over again.

Had I lost someone on one of those flights, I would so not want to see the plane crash over and over again, all day. It seems very tacky.

And have you guys seen the red, white, and blue Peeps they've produced in "remembrance"? Candy, for cryin' out loud!! Yep, it's way too commercialized.

I like Best Buy's idea. I think it's classy.

Anonymous

09-10-2002, 10:33 PM

Remember Sept. 11th by replacing BestBuy ads with "Fuck Star Wars" ads.

chet

09-10-2002, 10:45 PM

How is it classy? Please explain.

They have ads all over, they ask their affiliate to run those ads. Some people have them hardcoded, others have them in software.

They break their own agreement and demand the affiliates all spend their time to pull their ads.

And why?

If you saw a bestbuy ad on QT3 today, would you be upset because they didn't blackout for 9/11? It is this kind of knee jerk bullshit paying of respects that rings hollow. I much more believe the redneck with an american flag hanging from his house, then a company that consults some ad people on the proper way they should show their respects. If they really wanted to show their respects, they could just refuse to sell anything tomorrow. Close bestbuy.com in memberance, not fuck over all their affilliates.

Chet

Murph

09-10-2002, 11:14 PM

Sure, that would be better. Maybe you're right. Maybe it is hollow. And how many people are going to realize the lack of a Best Buy ad? That's probably the sad thing...Probably not many, so they haven't won much.

But to those that notice, I think it could come across well. The time that went into the removal of the ads was a pain, sure, and probably acheived the opposite result of what they were looking for. But, to the end user who notices "Hey, Best Buy opted not to advertise their business on 9/11," it might show that they realize some things are more important.

Anyway, I kinda like the idea. Maybe not the best thing, and maybe not the most sincere, but it sounds cool. What are other companies of similar nature doing? I haven't heard anyone else's plans of "remembrance." So, it's hard to compare. Are other companies doing anything? At least Best Buy's doing something, and, on least on the surface, it looks good, I think.

Brad Grenz

09-10-2002, 11:17 PM

Wait for the press release.

Anonymous

09-10-2002, 11:31 PM

"If you saw a bestbuy ad on QT3 today, would you be upset because they didn't blackout for 9/11?"

No, I'd be upset 'cause I'm a stockholder in BestBuy and I'd hope they wouldn't waste their money advertising on POE sites.

Jason McCullough

09-10-2002, 11:37 PM

I have to agree with Chet here. Funneling off a lot of work in a half-assed attempt to appear respectful is bad enough; that they're technically breaking a contract, and doing it at the last minute is worse.

Met_K

09-11-2002, 12:45 AM

So I guess this means that I should tell kids to fuck-off when they attempt to buy shitty music at my store as a sign of respect? I mean, I'm sure most people in the towers had good taste in music, just like all the people in the towers love banner ads and telemarketing. And thus, by not selling bad music, by not having banner ads or telemarketing going on, we're showing respect!

Yes. Right. Apparently most people shut down their brains out of respect. (Don't bother trolling saying I shut mine down. That'd be too obvious)

Jack

09-11-2002, 05:54 AM

Just a little OT, but as someone who lives very close to NYC, I know people who lost friends or witnessed the tragedy first-hand. The slaughter of all those people was sickening, but nearly as sickening are retailers and politicians capitalizing on that horror by shouting "Look how sensitive we are! We care!" in an effort to garner sales/votes.

This goes for news organizations running 9/11 commemorations ad nauseum, as well. I may be cynical, but I'm sure it's no problem selling advertising space for such a retrospective.

My wife, an editor at the local daily paper, recently was in charge of a week long commemoration section. She was not only upset by re-living that day for an entire week, but also by the Ed-in-Chief pushing for a more maudlin approach.

The media is more afraid of the public's perception than actually commemorating the day. No one (media and the like) wants to be perceived as "insensitive," so they're erring on the side of saturation.

Sorry for the rant. I know it doesn't have much to do with Bestbuy. Please return to your regularly scheduled topic....

Tyjenks

09-11-2002, 06:29 AM

Good post Jack. I imagine Bestbuy must have decided at the eleventh hour to cover their asses just as every news org., TV station, publication, and media outlet across the board has. Who want's to be the one with only 8 hours of coverage or worse conducting normal business with a small commemoration?

My local radio station says Sept. 11th started a year who's first day we wished we could forget and then proceeded to run down the list of live reports and rehashes they would have throughout the day.

We are all going to commemorate this day with friends and family and in our hearts (those of us who have them) and the Bestbuys, MSNBCs, and CBS News' of the world are commemorating it for the sake of viewership, customers, and in the end protecting their power and/or money.

Having commemoration forced upon you as it is in Chet's case and your wife's solely for selfish reasons is just business I'm afraid.

Jupiter Jones

09-11-2002, 06:48 AM

[quote="Chet"]http://www.poenews.com/stories/13305.html

As some kind of bizarre remembrance of 9/11, Best Buy is demanding all of their online affiliates stay up all night removing Bestbuy.com banners and links. This email was dated today and most people received it after 7:00pm EST. I guess bestbuy.com wants their affiliates to spend the evening with their computers, not with their friends and family.
[quote]

Yeah, we get this kind of "quick-fix" marketing bullshit all the time at the unamed "Fortune 500 company with verty large web presence" where I lead a team of developers. They get these "great" ideas and expect that they can be implemented instantly because they have NO FUCKING CLUE how to actually do anything themselves or make anything actually work.

I hate web producers. Hate them with a passion. HaAAAAAAYY(Fonzie)YYYTE them.

Derek Smart [3000AD]

09-11-2002, 07:12 AM

So, whats another Best Buy fuckup? Move along folks. Nothing to see here, except maybe these (http://www.gamescreenshots.com/smallthumbs.asp?category=PC&game_id=690)? :D :D :D

Bub, Andrew

09-11-2002, 07:26 AM

I don't understand how banner ads have anything to do with remembering or being respectful of Sept. 11.

I mean, TV is running Best Buy commercials today. I saw one this morning (maybe they didn't get the memo). "Turn on the fun! Best Buy!" Isn't that much more visible than a banner ad at Q23?

Dave Long

09-11-2002, 07:28 AM

Chet's right. It's a hollow, bullshit response that looks like a misguided marketing opportunity. I'll bet you'll hear about Best Buy's rememberance in the news. Never mind what a bitch it is for people to remove those ads...

In rememberance of those slain in the towers, Pentagon and right here in PA, I'm going to send a big fuck you to terrorism by doing one of the things they hate us Americans for...having fun playing games with my pals. I'm having people over for pizza, drinks and some good old fashioned console video game shit kicking while lounging on the sofa. I've had my fill of coverage before it even began. I don't want to relive those events...I remember them all too well as it is. The only reason I'm checking world news sites today is to be aware if someone tries something else...

--Dave

Aszurom

09-11-2002, 04:04 PM

Welcome to utter silliness v2.0

Ok, I think the post office handled it pretty well - we had a brief moment of silence, then the boss says "ok, today we've got 38 tickets, 16 are 3 weeks old, 10 are one week..." business as usual on the morning telecon.

However, the government even though NOT officially declaring today a "holiday" is indeed referring to Sept 11th as "Patriot Day". Great, wish I owned a flag making textile company in Mexico right about now. I spent all day waiting for the news that Bush had dropped the first bombs in the Iraq offensive - ya know, what better day than patriot day for the american people to get a tear in their eye and excuse the initiation of hostilities in another theatre. I'm kinda disappointed thus far in the lack of opportunism displayed by our dog waggers.

As far as the "false corporate sponsored sentiment", well, that about sums it up in a self-contained sentence. Utter bullshit, and I hope their bathtubs back up full of poop.

Anonymous

09-11-2002, 04:30 PM

Derek, would you mind not whoring out your game on every thread, regardless of context? It's not as amusing as you think it is, smileys or no.

Thanks.

Derek Smart [3000AD]

09-11-2002, 04:44 PM

Derek, would you mind not whoring out your game on every thread, regardless of context? It's not as amusing as you think it is, smileys or no.

Thanks.

heh, I've got two words for you: don't click

Anonymous

09-11-2002, 07:31 PM

]heh, I've got two words for you: don't click

Who said anyone clicked? It's painfully obvious what you were linking to in your post.

Sparky

09-11-2002, 08:38 PM

So I guess this means that I should tell kids to fuck-off when they attempt to buy shitty music at my store as a sign of respect?

Heaven forfend. Met K, if Americans can't purchase their Terence Trent D'Arby, Creed, Phillip Glass, Avril Lavigne, Switchblade Sister and Hootie and the Blowfish CDs...then THE TERRORISTS HAVE WON!

Dave Long

09-11-2002, 09:18 PM

The shit-kicking was intense. Ikaruga, Sega Soccer Slam, NFL2K3, Tech Romancer, Gunbird 2 and finished off with the greatest, most brutal shit kicker of them all... Ultimate Fighting Championship on Dreamcast. Take that terrorism!

--Dave

Jim F.

09-12-2002, 07:56 AM

Honestly, I don't think this has anything to do with "rememberance"...short of Best Buy not wanting to be associated with it.

On the anniversary date, evert news site out there is posting pictures of the planes hitting the towers and tear-jerking stories from survivors and relatives who lost loved ones. I think Best Buy doesn't want people seeing these pictures and running these stories with a Best Buy banner at the top of the page. I'm sure some marketting person spoke up in a meeting and said something along the lines of "if people see the tower on fire and our ad above it, they will forever associate Best Buy with 9/11 in the backs of their minds!".

It's silly, but that's the marketting department for ya.

Matthew Gallant

09-12-2002, 09:35 AM

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/trolltown/patriottroll.html

Having received numerous requests asking for a Troll that symbolizes our American spirit and pride, we decided to produce the Patriot Troll with proceeds to be donated to charity to aide the victims of the September 11th tragedies. This Limited Edition Troll comes with a special tag that tells of this donation.

http://store5.yimg.com/I/trolltown_1705_599761

Kool Moe Dee

09-12-2002, 10:03 AM

Tyjenks

09-12-2002, 11:10 AM

That's another thing. Every gas station, flea market, on up to Wal-Mart is selling T-shirts, bumper stickers, commemorative shot glasses, etc.

People are slapping flags on their bumpers left and right because their neighbors have them. Can you not be patriotic by smiling at people on the street, not driving like a maniac on the highway, and/or doing unto others as you would have them do unto you?

The worst drivers used to be SUV drivers with Jesus fish and environmental plates. Now they all have giant magnetic flags right under the megaphone with their daughter's name on it.

Everything's a damn competition and for some insane reason people feel the need to proclaim it all on the surfaces of their vehicles. My daughter is a cheerleader. My son is on the honor role in our local public school system (now that's difficult). I'm moooore patriotic because my flag is bigger. I have a "choose life" sticker and fish so I love God more. I have already ordered the Ford Excursion's bigger brother when it comes out.

People might as well start posting their salaries, net worth, and kid's IQ scores in blinking and neon lights on a wide HDTV screen on the roofs of their cars and homes.

Whew! Sorry. I kind of erupted waaay off topic there. Competition is fine and is what makes us and our country strong, but must you prove your worth and successes in life by yammering about it and displaying it in the faces of all who get stuck behind your moronic, tank driving ass in rush hour traffic.

OTOH, I could just be jealous because I am house broke and drive a 12 year old pick up truck. :wink:

Dave Long

09-12-2002, 11:32 AM

You're not just whistling Dixie... a little humility goes a long, long way.

--Dave

Kevin Perry

09-12-2002, 12:28 PM

Don't worry about it, Ty.

It's OK to hate.

Tyjenks

09-12-2002, 02:06 PM

Don't worry about it, Ty.

It's OK to hate.

I thought all of the Korn, Mudvayne, Slipknot, and Static X I listen to was supposed to be cathartic and work out some of my misgivings about my fellow man. I think it is only fanning the flames. Now where's that Enya CD?

Monkeybutt

09-12-2002, 02:42 PM

Now where's that Enya CD?

I burned it.

Model glue + Enya CD = Warm Glow

Tyjenks

09-12-2002, 02:45 PM

Aha! There it is...

"Sail away, sail away, sail away......."

Ahhhhhh, much better. :D

Met_K

09-12-2002, 02:59 PM

Mark Bussman

09-12-2002, 03:59 PM

Everything's a damn competition and for some insane reason people feel the need to proclaim it all on the surfaces of their vehicles. My daughter is a cheerleader. My son is on the honor role in our local public school system (now that's difficult).

My favorite one of this is (slightly paraphrased, can't remember if it was 'My child,' 'My kid,' or whatver):

"My child is a GOOD CITIZEN at blah-blah-blah school"

So it seems that now they're giving special recognition to kids that aren't beating up or shooting at the other kids...... :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

Sparky

09-12-2002, 05:15 PM

Display of patriotism seen yesterday: on the chrome bumper of a giant old Suburban, a red, white and blue "weepul" (that's what we called 'em in elementary school in the 80s) -- you know, a pom pom with plastic googly eyes and big feet -- with a tiny American flag in the spot where a hand would be if weepuls had hands. A little "We Remember" ribbon trailed out of his ass (or the spot where an ass would be if weepuls had...etc). Ugh.

Jason McCullough

09-12-2002, 05:22 PM

Actually, "good citizen" bumper stickers is the sort of hooray-for-the-common-social-fabric thing I can get behind.

Tyjenks

09-13-2002, 06:43 AM

I thought all of the Korn, Mudvayne, Slipknot, and Static X I listen to was supposed to be cathartic and work out some of my misgivings about my fellow man. I think it is only fanning the flames. Now where's that Enya CD?

Please tell me you don't seriously listen to those shitty bands. Please.

I am sorry to dissapoint you, Met_K, but I do. Not for the 2 chords they know or for their melodious voices or the sometimes (some may say oft times) feigned angst. I listen because some of the lyrics I identify with and sometimes all I want to hear is loud, angry and pissed off music. They happen to fit the bill.

Met_K

09-13-2002, 08:53 AM

Jason McCullough

09-13-2002, 10:21 AM

If you're going to listen to pissed off music, at least make it Slayer (tm)

Met_K

09-13-2002, 03:17 PM

If you're going to listen to pissed off music, at least make it Slayer (tm)

GOD HATES US ALL! GOD HATES US ALL!

Reign in Blood is the greatest metal album of all time, hands down. Metallica's Master Of Puppets comes close, as does Megadeth's Peace Sells, but none have the pure metal quality of Slayer. And Slayer's still the best to this day.

Aszurom

09-14-2002, 07:46 AM

I can't believe you listen to that stuff in order to spank your inner child.

Jesus, man... get some OTEP

(I can't believe a woman makes those sounds with her throat... and I saw it myself.)

Met_K

09-14-2002, 12:29 PM

I can't believe you listen to that stuff in order to spank your inner child.

Jesus, man... get some OTEP

(I can't believe a woman makes those sounds with her throat... and I saw it myself.)

Otep is just as bad as the nu-metal wannabie bands Ty brought up earlier. Just because she's a woman and can make "sounds" with her throat does not entitle her to get different critical treatment than her male counterparts.

Though, I will say that she does have an extremely cool voice... when she's actually singing.