Is Madison Avenue Killing Rock ‘n Roll?
Madison Avenue veteran denounces TV commercials that denigrate Rock ‘n Roll classics in new book.
“I knew the Little Rascals personally”, Michael J. Weber protests in his new
book, Invasion of Privacy: Big Brother and the Company Hackers (Premier Press
2003). “When I hear the song, It’s a Beautiful Morning, I don’t want to think of
arthitis or Vioxx!” The list of classic songs canabalized by Madison Avenue
includes:
o Vertical Horizon - The Best I Ever Had -
Nissan Trucks
o Bob Seger - Like a Rock - Chevy
Trucks
o Led Zeppelin - Rock and Roll - Cadillac
CTS
o REO Speedwagon - Roll with the Changes - General
Motors
o Jethro Tull - Thick as a Brick -
Hyundai.
o Sting - Desert Rose -
Jaguar
o Meatloaf - Paradise by the Dashboard Light -
General Motors
o Celine Dion - I Drove All Night –
Chrysler
This is not only a cultural offense, the book contends. It
indicates that Madison Avenue is bereft of creativity. Weber draws a parallel
with the most popular TV commercial and jingle in advertising history, Coke’s
"I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing". In a London fog on January 18, 1971, Bill
Backer, Coca-Cola’s creative director, scribbled “I’d like to buy the world a
Coke and keep it company” on the back of a crumpled paper napkin. Three months
later on a hillside in Italy with helicopters buzzing overhead, 1,200 children
wearing clothes from various nations assembled to lip-sync “I’d like to buy the
world a Coke” for the rolling cameras. Three months from napkin to commercial,
that’s the way advertising was done in its heyday. The book cites a lack of
spontaniety due to an overreliance on market research as the principle reason
Madison Avenue opts to rip-off old rock ‘n roll classics rather than create new
classic jingles of their own.
About the Book: Technology, advertising,
the media, and government, have converged to invade our privacy. Invasion of
Privacy: Big Brother and the Company Hackers (Premier Press) exposes the dangers
and proposes a practical defense. Part 1, The Invasion, illustrates the threat
and unmasks the spies in our midst. Part 2, Zone Defense, presents practical
techniques to protect your privacy, personal information, and self.
Invasion of Privacy consists of great “people” stories. You'll meet a
Silicon Valley multimillionaire who sued the company that inundated him with
junk faxes for $2.2 trillion dollars. You'll meet a struggling college student
who set up a sting worthy of Paul Newman and Robert Redford when a con artist
ripped-off his Apple PowerBook on eBay. You'll meet anonymous hackers who have
saved you without you even knowing it.
Invasion of Privacy: Big Brother
and the Company Hackers (Premier Press 2003) lists for $29.99 and is available
at fine bookstores including Borders, Barnes & Noble, and on
Amazon.com.
About the Author: Invasion of Privacy is Michael J. Weber’s
second book in three years. His last book, Confessions of An Internet Auction
Junkie, was published by Prima/Random House. Weber's career began on Madison
Avenue where he produced hundreds of TV commercials, including several award
winners, for top sponsors and ad agencies. He eventually landed in Hollywood and
started writing screenplays. Weber has since written over a dozen scripts and
episodic series for major film studios.
Book Statistics
Title:
Invasion of Privacy
Subtitle: Big Brother and the Company Hackers
Author:
Michael J. Weber
ISBN: 1592000436
Publisher: Premier Press/Course
Technology
Category: Art & Entertainment: Books, Consumer: Privacy,
Technology: Business, Computer: Security, Computer: Hacking, Computer:
Instruction, Computer: Operating Systems, Technology: Internet, Business:
General, Business: Advertising, Business: Media
Length: 296 pages
Retail
Price: 29.99
Binding: 9 1/8” x 7 3/8” Trade Paperback
Illustrations:
Profusely Illustrated with original art
Additions: Photos, tables, sidebars,
checklists, tips, hyperlinks, website
Websites: http://www.mjweber.com/iop/privacy.htm and http://www.mjweber.com
Interview Contact: Michael J. Weber
(323) 656-6664 - e-mail protected from spam bots
Book Review Contact:
Kristin Eisenzopf (617) 757-8196 – e-mail protected from spam bots
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2003/9/prweb82072.htm