Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Bring On Da Swag...

...or more 'blogola', baby.

Seems like bloggers are the new "black" when it comes to television networks looking for places and people to promote their shows. This Wall Street Journal article spells it out:

Who says you can't buy love? Trying to tap into the burgeoning power of blogs as promotional tools and fed up with the jaded attitudes of professional critics and TV feature writers, studios and networks are flooding bloggers with free stuff in hopes the flattered recipients will reward them with positive coverage.

Flowing into the trough is everything from fancy gym bags and toasters to video iPods and free trips. Some networks -- in the spotlight this week as they unveil their fall schedules to advertisers -- have even borrowed a term from the technology industry to describe the strategy: blogola.


So I'm putting out the call - Uninflected Images is looking for anything...anything: a The Best Years (Global) t-shirt? Some Across The River To Motor City (CHUM) paperweights? Or a few Blood Ties (CHUM) handkerchiefs? Perhaps a Whistler (CTV) snowboard? Or a Robson Arms (CTV) bong? A Smart Woman's Survival Guide (W Network) organizer?

How about an Instant Star (CTV) nightlight? Or a Second City's Next Comedy Legend (CBC) coaster? Or a Little Mosque On The Prairie (CBC) toque? Hell, I'll even take a box of Durham County (Astral/TMN/Movie Central) killer cereal...


And. I. Will. Gush.


And if the Canuck networks aren't slingin' swag, I'll be chasing after Fox to score some Sarah Connor Chronicles 'Skynet' mugs...after a tour of star Lena Headey's trailer, of course.



But just watch...the Chronicles goodies will probably be sent out from Global or CTV after they spend all kinds of dough buying the series from the U.S. later this month. Meanwhile our homegrown shows still struggle to just stock the craft service table, much less get some decent promotion.

Sigh.

Still, bloggers can't be choosers...swag is swag.

Bring it on...


6 comments:

Cunningham said...

And of course you now know that swag is accompanied by a receipt for the value of the merchandise received so you can declare same on your taxes...

DMc said...

Wow. Where's my free shit?

and Bill...

Coffee Mug: 2 cents.
Gym Bag...3 bucks.

Cause if the values more than that -- i don't want 'em

Cunningham said...

I went to an event and received a goodie bag at the end of the evening -- it had CDs, DVDs and an ipod, as well as some great cologne and bath products

...and on the bottom was a receipt for my taxes.

The IRS supposedly took a very dim view on what the stars have been receiving for free in their Oscar and Emmy bags so they are cracking down on all events. The companies who have donated merchandise have also been writing off quite heavily so they are being scrutinized for their charity...

wcdixon said...

Bill...sheesh. Didn't think you were a 'suck the fun out of the room/post' kinda dude...go figure.

Dave said...

dude, you're gonna have to get in line for the RA swag. i was just at the CTV kiosk on Burrard and they don't even have the season one DVD, forget about t-shirts or key chains.

but hey... what's the best crew gift you ever got? we got sweet RA belts last year.

Cunningham said...

Sorry to burst the comment balloon, Will... but don't shoot the messenger.