Buy Or Don’t Buy

Did you know that Heath Ledger died? People, including me, are still very sensitive about it. But his death has left two different doors open for advertisers and marketers. First, you have the “he was involved with it, so it must be good” method, which, eh, fine. And then there is the “He’s dead, we said it. Wait, too soon?” scandalous method. That’s what I have a problem with.

Method 1:
It’s the same reason why The Dark Knight opened so hugely and was number 1 for weeks on end. (Besides that it was a good movie,)It was because of Heathcliff. And he’s also the only reason why people even know about The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. (In case you aren’t in the know, it’s the movie he was filming at the time of his death.) Fine, he was involved with the project, and I love Heath, and the reason why I’m not sore on that advertising is because, hey I am a victim of it. I’d be kidding myself if I said that I wouldn’t go see that film.

Method 2:
The “too soon” thing. It’s a man’s life. He left behind a family and a blossoming career. His joker action figures sold out in minutes! People, it’s been like a minute since he passed. Are you already trying to gather collectibles to make a quick buck in a few years? It’s even too soon to make money off of it.

So how about putting Ledger on the small screen? New Zealand chain Hell Pizza had three celebrities, Sir Edmund Hillary, the Queen Mother and Heath Ledger, all recently departed grave dancing. If you don’t sell pizzas, you’ll at least make it to the blogosphere as being a big joker (get it?) in the advertising world. And congrats, you suck.

But in more recent news, there is an NYC shop (Moss) that created a product to be a “too soon” joke. (Just in time for the Holidays!) They are called “Gone But Not Forgotten finger puppets”. The set is priced at 90 wasted dollars and includes Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Jesse Helms, Maharishi Maresh Yogi, Yves Saint Laurent, Charlton Heston, and Heath Ledger. Can you guess which one is Heath Ledger? No? Hint: Well he’s the one with the beard. Exactly. (Source: NewYorkology courtesy of Gothamist)

Basically, I don’t want to buy your pizza or your puppets. I don’t find it edgy, funny or anything else. Maybe I’m uptight (not possible), but just let the guy RIP for at least a year (that means there is only one month of waiting).

Images from: CampaignBrief and Moss