Posted on 01/31/2009 8:02:55 AM PST by COUNTrecount
Barack Obama’s popularity makes him a marketer’s dream. Now, the honeymoon may be over for those trying to profit from his appeal.
White House lawyers want to control the use of the president’s image, recognizing the worldwide fascination about Obama’s election, First Amendment free-speech rights and easy access to videos and photos on the Web.
“Our lawyers are working on developing a policy that will protect the presidential image while being careful not to squelch the overwhelming enthusiasm that the public has for the president,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
Obama’s calls for change and his “Yes We Can” campaign mantra are being evoked to sell assembly-required furniture in Ikea’s “Embrace Change” marketing campaign, bargain airfares during Southwest Airlines Inc.’s “Yes You Can” sale and “Yes Pecan” ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc. shops.
“I can’t remember this ever happening to an active politician before, as a spokesperson or as an image for a brand,” said Brad Adgate, director of research for Horizon Media Inc., a New York-based advertising agency. “He’s in the highest profile of any person in the world right now.”
Riding the wave of Obama’s popularity may become a concern when advertisers use his likeness without permission to imply that Obama is endorsing a product or cause. The White House through the years has objected to commercial use of presidential faces, such as footage of President George H.W. Bush in a Cold War-themed 1989 television ad for cold medication.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I am thinking of printing up T-shirts with anti HolyO slogans. I think I could make some good money there. :-)
Obama wants royalties now? Amazing.
Does this include paid intercourse with campaign contributors?
Reminds me of “By Appointment of His Royal Majesty” stamp in Jolly Ole England.
Oh please. What they want to limit are the “attacks.” In other words, the amount of negative information made public about this corrupt, unqualified, ignorant clown. Who in the world is stupid/gullible enough to believe Hussein wishes to limit the infinite fawning and glorification he’s received over the past 2 years?
Obama Butt Kleen® is a fully owned subsidiary of Its Obama's World Inc.®
So the words “change” and “yes we can” are now owned by Obama? Gee, I think those words have been used for years.
Just like this post...
The Presidency of the United States of America (c) 2009 Barack Obama
This is funny coming from the same bunch that sells plates, coins, etc. to pedal this fool.
Gee, I seem to remember a certain production company using actual GW footage in their Bush assassination movie.
Can you be tempted by a Obama Chia Pet? Personally, I’m stocking up.
Censorship
“Commercial use”
How dare anyone make money from his image—our dear leader (SOCIALIST TYRANT).
The bigger reason (for the conservatives who think socialism/communism can’t happen here) is to intimidate and slow the sale of materials that portray our dear leader in a negative light.
As I’ve said here many times—the hard-left is taking over your country—you know, the communists?
You won’t believe that because you have been conditioned to believe otherwise.
But I hope all of you who don’t think it can happen will give the rest of us some indication when you finally awaken and realize that they are coming for your freedom in a big way—an unprecedented way.
Won’t you be surprised to realize how little has been done in resistance.
The financial crisis was deliberate.
We have been set up.
America is dying—right now, as you read this.
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