Comments on: Jay Leno’s s failure and the new rules of marketing http://cultureby.com/2009/12/jay-lenos-failure-and-the-new-rules-of-marketing.html This Blog Sits At the Intersection of Anthropology and Economics Wed, 23 May 2012 20:32:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Hayden http://cultureby.com/2009/12/jay-lenos-failure-and-the-new-rules-of-marketing.html/comment-page-1#comment-9 Hayden Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:01:02 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=6#comment-9 I wonder if this post has as its focus the right change. Is it the audience's preference for variety that has changed, or rather that more numerous, more specific entertainments have become available, and the audience as a whole splinters as a result? Separately, we don't have to look too far for an "old" example of a successful, "particular," Jon Stewart-esque show. I'd suggest Groucho Marx on "you bet your life," which I think began in 1947. Although it was nominally a quiz show, the show's main attraction was the opportunity to talk with Groucho (or see the contestants chatting with him). What Groucho--and his style of conversation--represented are open to question, but perhaps that desire for particularity has always been there. I wonder if this post has as its focus the right change. Is it the audience’s preference for variety that has changed, or rather that more numerous, more specific entertainments have become available, and the audience as a whole splinters as a result?

Separately, we don’t have to look too far for an “old” example of a successful, “particular,” Jon Stewart-esque show. I’d suggest Groucho Marx on “you bet your life,” which I think began in 1947. Although it was nominally a quiz show, the show’s main attraction was the opportunity to talk with Groucho (or see the contestants chatting with him). What Groucho–and his style of conversation–represented are open to question, but perhaps that desire for particularity has always been there.

]]> By: Grant McCracken http://cultureby.com/2009/12/jay-lenos-failure-and-the-new-rules-of-marketing.html/comment-page-1#comment-8 Grant McCracken Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:43:46 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=6#comment-8 Ed, great question, I think we liked content that is sharpened with intelligence because it gives us a feed we can add to the several, sorry, multiple feeds we are monitoring.  And this at the larger, sorry, meta, level is where we exercise our editorial freedom/tyranny.  Best, Grant  Ed, great question, I think we liked content that is sharpened with intelligence because it gives us a feed we can add to the several, sorry, multiple feeds we are monitoring.  And this at the larger, sorry, meta, level is where we exercise our editorial freedom/tyranny.  Best, Grant 

]]> By: Denise Burns http://cultureby.com/2009/12/jay-lenos-failure-and-the-new-rules-of-marketing.html/comment-page-1#comment-7 Denise Burns Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:49:53 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=6#comment-7 What better way to start your day than with the laughter-caused endorphins rushing around your system? I'm beginning to DVR Leno to watch in the morning. New marketing: Leno and Latte? Coffee and Cackles? What better way to start your day than with the laughter-caused endorphins rushing around your system? I’m beginning to DVR Leno to watch in the morning. New marketing: Leno and Latte? Coffee and Cackles?

]]> By: Dennis Demori http://cultureby.com/2009/12/jay-lenos-failure-and-the-new-rules-of-marketing.html/comment-page-1#comment-6 Dennis Demori Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:15:36 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=6#comment-6 I would add that one of the main reasons Leno was ahead of Letterman in the ratings for so many years was because The Late Show is taped in NYC and the Tonight Show is taped in California, where the majority of celebrities live. If you were a celebrity living in SoCal, which would you prefer: taking a 30 min drive (maybe chauffered) to The Tonight Show studio or a 5 hour flight to NYC for a 10 minute interview? I would add that one of the main reasons Leno was ahead of Letterman in the ratings for so many years was because The Late Show is taped in NYC and the Tonight Show is taped in California, where the majority of celebrities live.

If you were a celebrity living in SoCal, which would you prefer: taking a 30 min drive (maybe chauffered) to The Tonight Show studio or a 5 hour flight to NYC for a 10 minute interview?

]]> By: Ed Castillo http://cultureby.com/2009/12/jay-lenos-failure-and-the-new-rules-of-marketing.html/comment-page-1#comment-5 Ed Castillo Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:02:16 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=6#comment-5 I'm inclined to agree with you, but am wondering how our appetite for a particular editorial voice squares with our apparent need to escape/embarrass/edify when viewing content (<a href="http://tr.im/threee)." rel="nofollow">http://tr.im/threee).</a> Escape/embarrassment/edification-needs (may) represent a simple narcissism (we filter narratives [for ourselves] in ways that reassure us). Why, then, would outsource our filtering in the name of a "common ground, circus net, continuity, [or] trusted supplier"? Thank you for your time. I’m inclined to agree with you, but am wondering how our appetite for a particular editorial voice squares with our apparent need to escape/embarrass/edify when viewing content (http://tr.im/threee).

Escape/embarrassment/edification-needs (may) represent a simple narcissism (we filter narratives [for ourselves] in ways that reassure us).

Why, then, would outsource our filtering in the name of a “common ground, circus net, continuity, [or] trusted supplier”?

Thank you for your time.

]]> By: Grant McCracken http://cultureby.com/2009/12/jay-lenos-failure-and-the-new-rules-of-marketing.html/comment-page-1#comment-4 Grant McCracken Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:02:12 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=6#comment-4 Jonathan, excellent question, these shows are anti-variety for three reasons, 1) they conscript civilians instead of celebrities, 2) they create real narratives instead of canned Sammy Maudlin ones, and 3) they create real, competitive, outcomes.  They are to this extend unpredictable.  Its not a lot of unpredictability, but it is better and more dynamic than entertainment.  Thanks, Grant Jonathan, excellent question, these shows are anti-variety for three reasons, 1) they conscript civilians instead of celebrities, 2) they create real narratives instead of canned Sammy Maudlin ones, and 3) they create real, competitive, outcomes.  They are to this extend unpredictable.  Its not a lot of unpredictability, but it is better and more dynamic than entertainment.  Thanks, Grant

]]> By: Jonathan http://cultureby.com/2009/12/jay-lenos-failure-and-the-new-rules-of-marketing.html/comment-page-1#comment-3 Jonathan Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:51:42 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=6#comment-3 Okay, and how does American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, and the dozens of other extremely successful competition-variety shows fit into your model? Okay, and how does American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, and the dozens of other extremely successful competition-variety shows fit into your model?

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