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Entries for the 'American Idol Savvy' Category

American Idol Savvy: Simon Dilutes His Brand

Wednesday, March 4th, 2009

IdolSimon Cowell is sabotaging his own distinct brand.

Known for his direct but not always sensitive feedback, Simon is increasing his air time with additional antics that are coming at the expense of this powerful “brand.”

His inability to resist throwing barbs while the other judges (particularly Paula) are talking, has the effect of diluting what we like best about Simon… his withering critiques of the contestants.

(All right, his homo-ambiguous sparring with Ryan Seacrest is becoming an Idol staple. But this is the exception that proves the rule.)

The proof comes when Simon wants to give positive feedback. It gets diluted, if not entirely lost. Watch for this.

Disastrous for Simon, in my mind. There’s a lot of power in his positive responses precisely because they are so rare and (previously) so focused. Is he forfeiting his power to influence?

What are your brand distinctives? Are they getting lost by trying to be too many things to too many people? Is it time to refocus, get back to basics, or cut out the side shows? What power are you forfeiting when you dilute your brand?


10 Tasks You Can Complete During An American Idol Commercial Break

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

IdolI love American Idol, but its commercial breaks are longer than the show itself. If you add the previews (which duplicate most of the content,) there’s time to accomplish quite a bit between segments.

How do you use all that time?!

Here’s my list of 10 tasks you can complete during an American Idol commercial break:

  1. Pay the bills.
  2. Give the dog a bath.
  3. Clean out the garage.
  4. Make popcorn… for the neighborhood.
  5. Repair a popped balloon.
  6. Install software on Windows.
  7. Navigate the menu of telephone prompts to get a live person at the phone company.
  8. Replay Obama’s inaugural address.
  9. Explain Twitter to your grandmother.
  10. Delouse a screaming child.

Those commercials make up a good part of one’s evening. Why just sit there?

What else belongs on this list?