What DUI?

Michael Phelps has committed sponsorship suicide recently by being photographed smoking weed out of a bong.  It's understandable that sponsors don't want to associate their product with someone who smokes pot.  But, what is not understandable is how Phelps managed to get himself a DUI in 2004 and all is forgiven.  He could have killed himself or others while driving around drunk after a party, but I guess winning a bunch of gold medals made that go away.  Now Phelps may be facing charges from the photo, and has gotten himself into hot water.  I feel that since drinking is more socially accepted than smoking pot, this will have a much worse effect on Phelps.  Americas golden boy is now seen as a Americas weed smoking swimmer.  It will be interesting seeing how this all plays out, but I suspect Phelps lost some fans when this photo came out despite a DUI change and party boy image before this happened.  

25 Million Not Enough???

Manny Ramirez has recently rejected a massive 25 million dollar one year contract with the LA Dodgers.  I can't say I really that surprised that Manny did this, I mean it goes right along with his "Manny being Manny" way of life.  When many Americans are getting laid off, filing for employment, and loosing their homes, at least we know one guy will be getting paid an absurd amount of money to hit a baseball.  

Manny Ramirez has turned himself into this larger than life baseball player that fans seem to love.  Is Manny really worth this enormous contract?  Will he help a team enough to be worth 25 million? As sports figures salaries balloon into the multi-millions, organizations must be extra careful in getting their moneys worth.  

Super Bowl Ad's Record High

Well the big game has come and gone and the business elites that could afford to advertise during the Super Bowl are out a cool 3 million.  Yes, 3 million dollars to advertise during the game this year versus last years price of around 2.2 million.  The ones who did run a commercial during the venue, had a great game to do so.  Reports say that this was the most watched Super Bowl of all time, so the audience was there.  

Considering the outrageous price of Super Bowl ad's I began to wonder about companies ROI or return on investment.  Logically, an organization who spends 3 million on a t.v. spot would need to get a 3 million dollar increase in sales for the commercial to be worth it.  Todays troubling economy has caused many to cut down the marketing budget and this showed in this years Super Bowl ad's.  Many were dull and repeated way to much and lacked the punch of a new Super Bowl commercial.  I hope that using the big game as a medium to advertise works out for these companies, but for some will be a disaster.