When Does "Marketing" Go Too Far? Your Views On This...

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18
Hey guys,

Was reading through on mu Iphone this morning and found a story about an Internet Marketer setting up a limited company as "Amy Winehouse Foundation LTD" and registering the domain as well.

This was all done on the 2nd August just days after the stars death.

The guy has nothing to do with the family and when asked about it he said:

""I'm not exploiting anything yet. I've just bought some domain names. Anybody could have. It only takes the click of a mouse. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed. Detach yourself from emotions and think business.""She's not the only Amy Winehouse in the world."
#main internet marketing discussion forum #marketing #views
  • If she didn't care enough about her own life, why would I care about somebody exploiting her death? She's not a martyr, saint or villian to me. The proverbial 'line' is crossed if/when that individual scams donations pretending to be official. Profitting from it (her death) ok in my mind. Impersonation? not so much. I think this d-bag just got busted before he could set up his paypal 'donate' button.
    • [1] reply
    • It's what I call "leech marketing" - but it won't be decided by a bunch of people tweeting one liners.

      Her name does not appear to be trademarked but attempts to profit from it will be countered by family and a court most likely.
      • [1] reply
  • This is nothing compared to what I saw after Michael Jackson passed away. Suddenly people were snapping up any domains they could think of with his name and authors were writing MJ biographies all to cash in on the moment.

    Check this one out: How to Make $120,000 in Two Days Off Osama’s Death - Affiliate Marketing Tips from Super Affiliate Zac Johnson | Affiliate Marketing Tips from Super Affiliate Zac Johnson

    That dude banked a year's salary in two days.
    • [2] replies
    • Whilst the marking may be deemed as unethical, it's always going to be around because it's seen as a simple way to make quick cash, which it is.

      Everything in marketing is to do with exploiting something, be it people's need to be slim, have more money or the death of a well known star, it's all about exploiting something.

      Mark
    • Chris,

      I'm looking at the thread title and wondering why you're equating marketing with tacky opportunism?

      It doesn't seem that this domain squatter has actually done any marketing yet.


      Frank
  • I don't see the issue with it. Just pay the man. He beat you to it!
  • Ask me again when there's some actual marketing to talk about.

    So far, all I see is an act of tacky opportunism. Last time I looked being tacky isn't illegal. If it was, cable would have maybe six channels...
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • I agree - it does not look like they have done any marketing yet.

      However I would say marketing and opportunism are closely linked but agree just because you buy a gun doesn't mean you will use it.

      I will be sure too.

      Purely made the thread to see what people's thoughts are?

      It looks as though it has been resolved and if the guy did end up selling the domain to Amy's family I would class that as marketing no?

      Chris
      • [1] reply
  • Very good point about the newspapers.

    Yes can't really argue with your points - it certainly makes the whole issue interesting.

    I guess it is down to personal morals at the end of the day.

    Chris
  • Poor taste, IMO. Not something I would consider doing myself. But this is really an ethics or moral issue, instead of a purely marketing issue. And these days, it can sometimes seem as though these two are mutually exclusive.

    But the truth is, moral bankruptcy comes in stages. If he truly believes this "business" project is acceptable and he ends up profiting from it, it will only serve to reinforce his notions. Imagine what his next project will look like.

    Here's what I used to believe:

    If you truly believe something is ok based on your principles, then for you - it is. Because each individual comes from different cultures and backgrounds.

    However, if you knowingly engage in activities that are questionable or wrong based on your morals, you only end up in corrupting yourself.

    The problem is, people always lie to themselves. And enjoy it.

    His words were:

    "I'm not exploiting anything yet. I've just bought some domain names. Anybody could have. It only takes the click of a mouse. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed. Detach yourself from emotions and think business.""She's not the only Amy Winehouse in the world."

    Pretty defensive. And prepared. As if he were expecting a little backlash. Who knows.

    The bottom line is, his response is something you would say to a reporter or third party. I doubt seriously he would be man enough to sit across from Amy's mother or father and use those same words. She was someone's child.


    Jeff
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