Coke again

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 12705

Amanda wrote:

> "The campaign also will abandon common promotional gimmicks for 
movies
> geared to children, such as sweepstakes and giveaways through 
fast-food
> chains. Instead, literacy will be stressed."

Well...I feel somewhat better, but I think you're being too easy on 
Coke and WB.  The tie-in itself is a promotional gimmick intended to 
sell, not literacy, but Coca-Cola to children.  I'm glad they're not 
going to bribe kids with figurines, but the basic fact is that they 
are using kids' love of HP to get them to buy their product.  A 
product I happen to love to drink, but this ain't a public service.

> I mean, SOME
> corporate entity almost has to back something this expensive, and at
> least they're making a stab at doing it well.

Why does any corporate entity besides TimeWarnerAOL have to back it?  
The making of the movie (and any associated advertising which is what 
a tie-in is) isn't a nonprofit undertaking; it's an investment of 
millions by a company in a product (HP movies) that's bound to make 
them many, many millions more in profits.

Still gnashing my teeth and rending my hair, albeit more quietly,
Amy Z

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 The Whomping Willow was a very violent tree that
 stood alone in the middle of the grounds.
                 -HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban
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