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mattb
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
474 Posts |
 Posted - 11/04/2004 : 07:07:33
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This almost sounds too weird to be true:
Zach Vowell reports:
It was just about this time last year that we heard that The Postal Service (aka the collaborative musical efforts of Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello) had received a cease-and-desist letter regarding their bandname from the United States Postal Service (aka the giant government-controlled entity that delivers your mail). Now, with a year of negotiations-- and no doubt, a little grumbling-- behind them, the war is over. According to advertising industry observer AdAge.com, Sub Pop executives, conjuring the amazing powers of persuasion they invoked during Nirvana's signing to DGC in the early 90s, have managed to turn the potential lawsuit into a mutually beneficial cross-promotion campaign. Like magic!
Says Sub Pop co-founder Jonathan Poneman: "We found a place in the middle where all our interests can be served... There's a real spirit of cooperation." With the Postmaster General? Of course! The USPS is no stranger to cross-promotion, with animated characters like Shrek, Daffy Duck, and the Cat in the Hat making regular appearances on stamps and USPS advertising materials. Those brands, however, are owned by super-studios that virtually hemmorhage cash and lawyers, not an (admittedly sizable) independent record label whose band was biting the USPS's precious trademarked brand. But that may be precisely the point: "It's a great way for us to extend our brand into new areas," remarks USPS's manager of communication services Gary Thuro. "They reach a young audience that's very important to our future, and music is such a powerful medium."
To that end, part of the deal involves the possibility of Postal Service tunes being used in USPS ad campaigns and promotions. In turn, Sub Pop is considering, under the auspices of their newly minted licensing deal, using local postal outlets as distribution points for Give Up. Additionally, Tamborello and Gibbard will be tapped to play a gig at an annual USPS conference. No, we are totally not kidding. Stop laughing. If you're somehow fortunate enough to legitimately attend this conference, or crafty enough to impersonate one of the 800 senior executives who will be present, please do us a favor and bootleg that sucker. Surreal events like this one don't happen every day, and they must be documented for posterity.
.: Pitchfork Review: The Postal Service: Give Up
.: Pitchfork Review: The Postal Service: Such Great Heights & The District Sleeps Alone Tonight EPs
.: Pitchfork News: Postal Service Debut Expanded for Double-Vinyl
.: The Postal Service: http://www.subpop.com/bands/postalservice/
.: The Postal Service: http://www.usps.gov
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http://www.broszkowski.com |
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Skatealex1
* Dog in the Sand *
1670 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2004 : 19:03:08
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Great News! when i saw it on pitchfork im like WTF
The Truth Is Out There |
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2004 : 10:36:27
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Um..i like the Postal Service. I guess i like anything with Ben Gibbard in it, to be more accurate.
 Join the Cult of the Flying Pigxies - I'm A Believer! |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2004 : 10:43:11
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| My favorite member of Postal Service is George Hincapie. |
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Daisy Girl
~ Abstract Brain ~
Belize
5305 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2004 : 22:52:36
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Wow... what great marketing. Props to them. I am suprised how it came to this considering how the average person would be able to know the difference between a band and the USPS...but at least it looks like they found a loop hole.
http://www.campervanbeethoven.com/gearstolen/ |
Edited by - Daisy Girl on 11/05/2004 22:54:16 |
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VoVat
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
9168 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2004 : 11:52:30
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Are you sure it's not a joke? The threat of the lawsuit, I mean. I believe that the band might be doing advertising for the government organization.
"Signature quotes are so lame." --Nathan |
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mattb
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
474 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2004 : 16:20:39
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No, the lawsuit's real. I remember first hearing about it ages ago.
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2004 : 16:31:42
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they probably chose their name in anticipation of a well-crafted media stunt to get more exposure.
i think i'll name my next band Fed Ex
semi-related: local band Dios recently had to change their name to Dios Malos because stupid Ronnie James Dio, from Dio, fucking sued them. how lame is that?
i wonder what the actual rules are on that. other than being the exact same name, which is a clear cut case, how do they determine what is too close of a resemblance..
i know that Dinosaur Jr changed their name from Dinosaur because some band called Dinosaur sued them. that seems almost as close.
ist es möglich für ein quesadilla skrotum zu lecken? beim sprechen der quesadillas von LBF, ja. ja in der tatheheheheheheehehee! |
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Postal Service settles with USPS
