The Advert for TT5B

[Feel Alright!]

Anyone seen the TV advert for To The 5 Boroughs? I just caught it on MTV2. It's pretty funny and I like the graphics, with the whole idea of hedgehogs breakdancing etc. :p What are all your views on it? I know some of you think that the band shouldn't advertise even their own "product" so it will be interesting to see the kind of debate this starts off. btw I did search for this and couldn't find anything, so don't hit me if this has been done before :(

[Parkey]

I've seen that too. I liked it, especially the owls listening on their headphones and bobbing their heads! Quality. I also just saw that 'Fight For Your Right...' was number 4 on the 101 greatest singles of all time on MTV2.

[Feel Alright!]

Oooh me too! I was chuffed, tho I doubt they would be that pleased the song they intended to be a bit of a parody overshadowing their other work again. :( And yeah, the owls were pretty durn cute :D

[SpuffyRJ]

I didn't see it yet =(

[alcamus]

Of course they should advertise their product. What are singles, bumper stickers, t-shirts, this website, etc. for but advertising. That's okay. Advertising itself is not a bad thing. Advertising products with the promise that they'll make the consumer happier is what's misleading. If it were not for advertising (again, including this website), only a few people close to the band would know they'd put out a new record. In fact, in order for their art to make an impact I support and advertise for them myself every time I wear a t-shirt or play their music for my students. This ain't the Dead Kennedy's or any other old (but great) punk where the attitude was to keep the scene small. There's no use preaching to the choir; you've got to find ways to reach the widest audience possible. That's what I learned from the Beasties (whether or not they intended to give a lesson). They were both underground (in content) and popular at the same time. We need more bands like that. We need to learn how to market positive messages so that more people get a chance to hear alternate points of view (not the same as cramming messages down throats). That's the new lesson for punks. Becoming big, advertising, etc. is not the same as selling out.

[Feel Alright!]

I'm not suggesting they shouldn't, I think it's a great idea. And it's a really different approach, better than the usual *puts on music buff monotone* "This Mercury Music Award nominated platinum album by The Asswipes received five stars from the Crap Music Monthly.. featuring the hit #29 single 'We're Really Crap" kind of thing.. but I do recall reading in a thread once that a few posters didn't like the idea of going the advert route, and I was interested to see what people thought now they've actually made an ad.

Now, if this advert can go prime time on a terrestrial channel we might be getting somewhere. :D

[alcamus]

I wish I had access to the video of the ad. Minto, Daisy, TPK, can we get the hook up, y'all? I teach now, but I used to sell my soul as an advertising exec. (Nothing wrong with AEs per se, just with what I was doing as one.) and it sure would be nice to disect a Beastie ad. Does anyone know for sure who put the ad together? Is this a Hornblower production? I'm interested in why the ad is coming out now and not at the drop. BTW, does anyone know where to find updated info. on TT5B album sales? I'm studying this and other pop culture stuff with my kids and we're going at it from every angle.

[Parkey]

I wish I had access to the video of the ad. Minto, Daisy, TPK, can we get the hook up, y'all? I teach now, but I used to sell my soul as an advertising exec. (Nothing wrong with AEs per se, just with what I was doing as one.) and it sure would be nice to disect a Beastie ad. Does anyone know for sure who put the ad together? Is this a Hornblower production? I'm interested in why the ad is coming out now and not at the drop. BTW, does anyone know where to find updated info. on TT5B album sales? I'm studying this and other pop culture stuff with my kids and we're going at it from every angle.
I presume it's on now to coincide with the UK tour and release of Open Letter...

It's all animated if that helps and also has a hampster on the decks doing so scratching.

[alcamus]

Okay, I know that in a way I've already said this, but I just realized how this could be used in my classroom for good. Minton, TPK, Daisy, Yauch, Hornblower, anyone, what can you guys reveal about the marketing for this album? How much is Capitol's decision, how much is ya'lls? What is the idea behind the rappin' rat on the CCIO single artwork? My kids have said, "Oh, I get it. It's three skinny white rappers. This mouse is the 4th Beastie; he's a skinny white rapper too." Can we get some info on the new ad said to be running on MTV2 (I don't have cable (damn), so I can't track it down myself. I'll try a friend with TIVO, but that's a crap shoot; TIVO now records commericals, but I don't think it can target ads for recording. Or does anyone know. Can it?) Why now far from the original drop date? Anything you can help me with I would appreciate.

[Rich Cheney]

[Feel Alright!]

I hope the tour and advert get some more sales for the album, apparently it's not even sold 130k here. :(

[Parkey]

I hope the tour and advert get some more sales for the album, apparently it's not even sold 130k here. :(
It's 7 quid in Fopp now, so that should attract a couple more to the fold...

[timmie]

aarrgghhh i havent seen it but, i did see the hello nasty commercial back in '98!! & i have captuered it on video (y)

[Feel Alright!]

Fopp always has the best bargains. :) shame I always miss them :mad: (n)