5 Blogs Before Lunch

Seven Ways American Idol Has Impacted The World

Baltimore Sun TV critic David Zurawik offers seven ways in which "American Idol" has impacted TV and the larger world, including making TV "more commercial than ever," uniting black and white viewers and influencing how networks schedule their top shows.

No. 1: Shifted when networks broadcast our favorite shows
No. 2: Brought black and white audiences together
No. 3: Helped introduce young people to voting
No. 4: Made TV more commercial than ever
No. 5: Resurrected the variety show
No 6: Crowned the 10 o'clock news a winner
No. 7: Influenced how we "judge" politics

P&G CEO Says "the Consumer is Boss"

The CEO of P&G says, "What the consumer's complaining about gives us opportunity to learn what we can do better.

Consumer feedback early in the product development process -- and employee visits to consumers' homes -- has tightly woven the role and satisfaction of the consumer into this successful organization. P&G is taking notice of its customers, and it is paying off.

From the International Herald Tribune:

Simplistic-sounding, even a little hokey, his "the Consumer is Boss" mantra for P&G employees has worked. Sales, profits and stock price have climbed as the maker of such products as Pampers diapers, Crest toothpaste and Olay skin care has rebounded and grown in the eight years since Lafley was promoted to run a venerable company that was in a skid.

Facebook Use Not Socially Acceptable in Saudi Arabia

There are estimated to be more than 30,000 Facebook users in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, there are powerful folks in that kingdom who are none to happy about that.

One voice comes from Saudi preacher Ali al-Maliki who has emerged as the leading critic of Facebook, claiming the network is corrupting the youth of the nation.

"Facebook is a door to lust and young women and men are spending more on their mobile phones and the Internet than they are spending on food," he said.

As a result of this cultural conflict, a young Saudi Arabian woman has been murdered by her father for chatting on the social network site with a man.

Social customs and religious rules oblige women in Saudi Arabia to cover their head and figure with a veil so that men are not distracted by the female form.

More than 6,500 people have signed the online petition in a bid to stop access to the network from local internet servers.

More at Arab Media and Society

Patrick Dempsey To Have His Own Avon Fragrance

Elizabeth Taylor, JLo, Britney Spears, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Hudson and Patrick Dempsey.

The actor known as Dr. McDreamy on ABC's Grey's Anatomy. seems like the off man out in this list. In fact, he's the only man on this list of women who have their own branded fragrance.

Avon has just announced that it will partner with actor Patrick Dempsey to make a men's fragrance.

Seems like more proof of the blurring line between men and women in the U.S. beauty market.

Imagine "Burt Reynolds for Men" or "Cary Grant's Steamy Cologne" launched in decades' past. There would not have been a feasible market for such a product.

But times have changed, Metrosexuals have assimilated into mainstream America, and beauty products have become the norm in men's medicine cabinets and DOB kits throughout the country.

The Grey’s Anatomy star has signed a multi-year contract, estimated between $5-$6 million, to launch his own men’s fragrance for the cosmetics giant next November.

From PopCrunch:

“We are thrilled to partner with Patrick Dempsey—an incredibly accomplished actor who has achieved such broad appeal because of his genuine authenticity, charisma and style. This will be arguably the strongest franchise in the company’s history,” Avon CEO Andrea Jung says.

“We’re extremely impressed with both his on and off screen accomplishments, and have a shared commitment to giving back to communities in ways both big and small.”

And forty-two year old Patrick sounds equally pleased to be joining the Avon family, saying in a statement on Monday:

“This is an extremely exciting opportunity for me to work with Avon—a brand I have long respected as a global powerhouse with a lot of heart and soul. The brand reaches every corner of the globe with more than just high quality products—it creates economic empowerment for women through its earning opportunity, and has an excellent reputation for corporate philanthropy through their Avon Foundation.”

Incidentally, his wife, Jillian Dempsey, has been Avon's global creative color director since 2006

February 08, 2008: teafragging

Either to prove to myself how out of touch I may be, or to ensure that I stay up to date with all consumer trends, I read a daily email from the fine folks at Urban Dictionary.

This morning's urban word of the day has me feeling truly out of touch:

February 08, 2008: teafragging

It's [teabagging], but in video games. When playing online or split-screen in a
First person shooter game, and you've just [frag]ged someone, you walk over the
opponent's digital carcass, and then press the crouch command repeatedly to
embarass the victim while he or she respawns.

It is truly embarassing, and should only be done by professionals. This means
you need to earn some respect before you teafrag somebody, or else you will face
the wrath of the victim.

1: "Da**it! I just got teafragged by some [noob]!"

2: "That was me, stupid!"

1: "F**k."

FCC Finally Decides That A Scene from NYPD Blue is Considered Indecent

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has apparently taken nearly 5 years to decide whether a nude scene during the long-canceled "NYPD Blue" is considered indecent.

5 years!

The governmental agency has proposed a $1.4 million fine against 52 ABC Television Network stations for a scene where a boy surprises a woman as she prepares to take a shower. The scene depicted "multiple, close-up views" of the woman's "nude buttocks" according to an agency order issued late Friday.

FCC's definition of indecent content requires that the broadcast "depicts or describes sexual or excretory activities" in a "patently offensive way" and is aired between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

From The Washington Post:

"The law is simple," FCC Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate wrote in a statement yesterday. "If a broadcaster makes the decision to show indecent programming, it must air between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. This is neither difficult to understand nor burdensome to implement."

The question is, if it is so simple, why did it take the FCC 5 years to rule?

Interestingly, the FCC was very quick to call Janet Jackson's breast exposure as indecent. I guess different body parts require varying levels of scrutiny.

Talking Jesus Dolls Now Available At Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart has announced that it will begin carrying Christian-themed toys from One2believe.

The toys are based on Christian bible stories. For example, there's a set of 3-inch figures based on Daniel in the lion's den for about $7. A 12-inch talking Jesus doll is about $15. And 14-inch Samson or Goliath action figures are about $20.

Religious products have become a multibillion-dollar business, but until now, most religious-themed toys have sold successfully only in specialty religious stores, not at mass-market retailers. So, Wal-Mart's launching the One2believe line only in stores where high volumes of bibles are sold.

From the One2Believe website:

This program represents a huge opportunity for the faith community as it is the first time a worldwide retailer has opened-up shelf-space for a strong Bible-based toy product, like Tales of Glory! However, this is only a test-run. In fact, Wal-Mart will only have Tales of Glory in about 500 stores and only for a limited time (August through January). They have temporarily made the product available, and are waiting to see the response from their consumers. The success of this program is up to us… we need to take advantage of this amazing opportunity!

This is a chance to let our voices be heard. By supporting this program we can send a message to other retailers and toy makers letting them know that we, as a Christian community, are truly concerned about the toys that our children play with! We are aware of the influence that toys have on our young children’s impressionable minds, so we would like to see more God-honoring options available. It’s a “Battle for the Toy Box”!

Please pass this exciting news along to your friends, family and church congregation, especially to parents and grandparents. Encourage them to go to their local Wal-Mart store on August 18th and ask about Tales of Glory toys.

While pushed as an alternative to the likes of Bratz and Spiderman, the Christian-based products appear to support a high-level of violence (see photo included in this post). Let's hope One2Believe's "Battle for the Toy Box" doesn't turn into a bloody Christian Jihad.

No word yet on when Wal-Mart will feature Buddha, Mohammed and Ganesh action figures.

More at USAToday

Women: An Untapped Audience For American Airlines

American Airlines is targeting women travelers. They've created a website, will be making changes to planes and travel clubs, all with the goal to boost revenue by $94 million a year by growing the female demographic.

From Reuters:

"We obviously have a vast interest in women," said Peggy Sterling, AMR vice president of safety, security and environmental. "There is an untapped resource."

The Web site features articles and tips for women on travel safety and security. It also encourages feedback and suggestions from women. A recent redesign of American's 767-300 business class included changes such as lower storage bins that may appeal to women.

American has other dedicated websites that cater to Spanish speakers and to gay and lesbian travelers. One airline expert said he expects more airlines to follow American's example as a means to bolster ridership.

Wii is Beating Xbox and Sony Playstation's Butt

From young-males to grandmas, Wii is the way.

Nintendo has had run-away success with the Wii. The company focused on making game play easier, more intuitive and more appealing to a mass market. And, they've been eating the lunch of Micorosft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. They've hit a cord with the audience outside of the young-male audience which is usually the only audience for such games.

Reuters is reporting that the Wii outsold the new Microsoft and Sony consoles in January and February and is generating its own buzz with everyone from nuns to cancer patients to toddlers to residents of retirement homes.

There are Wii parties and Wii bowling contests. Players, who often look quite silly and occasionally injure themselves in fits of overzealous play, upload video of their Wii antics to a variety of technology Web sites like GameTrailers.com and Google's YouTube.

"I thought it was tremendous," said Ted Campbell, 77.

There are even reports that people are using the Wii for weightloss. One Wii owner has reported that, in just six weeks of play, he had dropped 2 per cent of his body fat rating, thanks to the console's motion-sensitive control scheme that rewards active movement when directing in-game characters.

Wii is the way.

eBay Reaches Out To Younger Audience Via Social Networking Sites Bebo, Facebook and Maybe MySpace

With the majority of Ebay's users now 35 to 44 years old, the auction site is looking to locate its next big audience, and is turning to teen social networking sites to find them.

eBay is working with teen site Bebo and college-aged social networking site Facebook in an effort to lure a younger audience to its marketplace. It is being reported that they are in talks with MySpace.

Internally, eBay is looking at ways to leverage the social-networking phenomenon. EBay Research Labs, formed in 2005 to research new technologies, is examining how eBay could let its buyers and sellers join communities on its Web site based on their interests and buying habits, just as high-school students on MySpace might create groups around a common interest like a rock band.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the tie-ups with young Web companies may not only help eBay attract a younger audience. They also are a test for eBay's effort to use partnerships to pull in traffic from other Web sites.

From The Wall Street Journal:

EBay could now be looking to attract new Internet users as they come online. EBay's visitor traffic dwarfs that of MySpace, Facebook, and Bebo -- it attracted 80.7 million unique U.S. visitors in January, compared with 61.5 million for MySpace, 19 million for Facebook, and 3.6 million for Bebo, according to comScore. But the social-networking sites, which have been around for just a few years, are growing quickly among a coveted younger audience that sees the sites as a new front door into the Web. Today, only 38% of eBay users are 12 to 34 years old, compared with 46% of MySpace users, 55% of Facebook users, and 69% of Bebo users, according to comScore.

Working with social-networking sites "establishes eBay as the resource to find what you want -- a used iPod, for example -- and gets [young users] aware early," says Patti Freeman Evans, an analyst at JupiterKagan Inc.'s JupiterResearch. Still, she notes that young people actually spend less money online than their older counterparts, as they have less disposable income

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