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February 11, 2005
Culture
The Donald - Week 4
Posted by Nadine Heintz at 2:33 PM
I always assumed that producing a commercial would be difficult. But last night's TV ads were totally pathetic, especially compared to the real Dove ad that premiered at the end of the show (which, by the way, was pretty shameless, even by Trump's standards). And, as I recall, last season's candidates created pretty decent commercials to promote the NYPD, again for Donny's firm. So there really is no excuse for last night's debacle.
Where do I even begin? Bren's cucumber idea was bizarre, to say the least. I must admit I had a few good chuckles watching the commercial, but I was laughing at Magna, not with them. The premise was totally ridiculous, and had nothing to do with soap. I don't have a moral issue with it, I just think it was way off the mark for a mainstream household product. I can't believe they went through with it! Even though Bren's idea was terrible, I still like him. I admired him for laying down the law with Michael when he returned from the boardroom early on in the episode. I also like his whole southern gentleman schtick. Overall, I think he's a strong player. Too bad nobody nixed his idea in the beginning.
I also like John very much. At first, I thought his idea sounded pretty good. But the execution was awful. Why the heck didn't the guy use water to wash off the soap? Because he didn't want to get his face wet and ruin his makup? That makes no sense! I blame it all on Kristen. Who cares if her boyfriend is a Hollywood director? If she was dating a neurosurgeon, would she perform brain surgery? The logic escapes me. Maybe I'm missing something, but Audrey doesn't seem all that bad. I haven't really seen her do anything great, but she hasn't screwed up majorly or acted like a jerk. Correct me if I'm wrong. It seemed like Kristen was just looking for a scapegoat. Boy, did that backfire! Audrey defended herself valiantly in the boardroom. And her hair is fabulous!
Michael didn't really redeem himself last night, but I thought Erin was smart to defend him, since they made her look like a valiant leader, a stark contrast to shrewish Kristen. And I really liked one of the points Trump made in the boardroom. Usually, I come away from the show without learning any business lessons. But I thought Trump was right on the money when he said that being a good leader involves handling bad employees, as well as good ones. That was a great observation.
Hopefully, the teams will rally next week during the trailer makeover challenge. I'm looking forward to it!
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So, next week it's The Apprentice meets Pimp My Ride. should be fun.
I also thought it was bad that Kristen's team cast the lead character as a man. I'd imagine that it's mostly women who buy body wash, but neither team made a commercial that appealed to the female demographic.
I thought John's idea was the better of the two...it's amazing how bad these ads turned out though.
The NYPD commericals last season put these to shame.
Kristen totally deserved to be fired. Why the heck did her assign John to go for the music when it was John's idea? With John, I think the team would have won because the cucumber ads was a totally disaster. I like Audrey, but I don't like the way she comment about Kristen when she was directing. Why didn't she comment straight to Kristen? If Kristen, being a PM, didn't listen then it's her fault, but if you want your team to win, suggest and comment whatever you can openly, rather than behind PM's back.
I like Bren too, he can't be blamed for his idea because it was just a suggestion, his PM approved it, didn't she? I like the way he handled the actress when they got there late. Erin showed her weakness there, she needs a book "How to win friends and infulence people" because if she can't handle upset actress, how can she handle mad employees?
Overall, both ads are totally lame, but I seemed to enjoy this week than last week, when Micheal abused his exemption, what a totally jerk.
It feels like I'm watching a bronze medal match. This group just doesn't seem to be in the same league as the people on the first two episodes.
Bren did impress me with how he handled Michael and the actress. I think his handling of Michael built up some capital with the rest of the team and everyone then assumed his idea was good.
I didn't follow what was going on when DT asked Chris if he was gay. I think we missed a couple scenes on that one.
Glad to see Kristen go. She may be a great task master, but lacks leadership and creativity. Too many task masters think they're great leaders as well. And, it always seems to be everyone elses' fault when it blows up. She might be a great individual contributor, but needs some humility in order to more objectively assess how she can step up to the next level of getting the best from people, instead of the worst.
YO YO YO! I interviewed for the Apprentice at an open call in Washington, DC yesterday:
http://www.soleproprietormagazine.com
cross dressers, cake makers (for the Martha try-outs), and loads of donuts...
I thought the real Dove ad that aired at the end was pretty lame. It only looked adequqte, even when compared to the pathetic efforts produced by the would-be apprentices. Certainly not "edge-y" or even especially creative. I don't think the supposed professionals who created the real ad have much to feel superior about. I would have fired them, too.
I missed week 4 but after reading the comments it sounds like we are waiting for SOMEONE to show us something. As a marketing professional I'm dismayed at low end ability the teams have when it comes to marketing. It sounds like week 4 is more of the same from both groups.
When the groups are shuffled, what does everyone think the criteria is going to be? Will it be like school yard buddies choosing up sides?
- bruce
I thought the two ads were almost totally unwatcheable -- it's the first time I've channel-surfed during the Apprentice.
I thought Deutsch did a horrible job -- he gave them no direction, no real guidance, and I think he should see his role as more of a teacher, and hold their hands a little bit, particularly since none of them had any real marketing background. He totally whiffed on the back end by not making a choice. Sure they were both bad, but he could have educated us (the audience) more by doing more of a comparison and analysis. Totally lazy.
But there's another major problem with this show -- none of these guys ever checks out what the customer wants. They never think like marketers or sales people. It would make their lives so much easier if they'd start by asking questions, but they always start with their opinions. No wonder they are so off base.
Both George and Catherine are very conservative people too -- it's like these Apprentices are completely clueless about who they are trying to impress.
For that matter, Donald's NOT a good manager. He's a great sales guy, and a decent leader because he gets people to buy into his vision, but I haven't been impressed by his staff/organization (remember the guy that choked on national TV in the finale?), and I haven't seen him give a lot of guidance to actually help these guys improve their performance. It's all about putting them down.
Right now, John's in the lead in my book, but I'd like to see them hire a woman this time around, I just haven't seen a clear favorite emerge yet.
I agree that John is coming out the rose in this group of thorns. Bren certainly stood out for me this time around but honestly I wonder if that actress was feigning her disdain. If so, then anyone trying at all to appease this woman could have done it but it probably did take a man to show the right kind of humility to this "actress." She was smirking the whole time like she was being paid to cause a disruption. And I'm sorry, but she wasn't all that! Wasn't the actress supposed to be sexy? I guess I'd have to be a man to see the appeal in that choice.
Sorry. Off on a tangent there. Those commercials were just so unwatchable, although I did think John's idea would play well - originally. How he got shoved over to music is beyond me. Oh well. The lame leader is gone. Yippee!
Overall, I'd say NetWorth is proving themselves the better of the two groups - as I hoped and I'm a college grad too! - but compared to the last two seasons, this bunch has a TON to learn! If I were The Donald, I'd have to review whatever rules of the game they have to see if there's a way to fire the whole lot and start over again! Maybe it's just time to give the show a rest for at least one season. These people are thinking they've figured out how to play the game based on the other shows (thus why EVERYONE is flying under the radar right now) but in reality they haven't a clue.
By the way, I have to go back and see if anyone else mentioned this, but when her hair is down, doesn't Erin have this eerie similarity to the dead chick in "The Ring"? Hmmm....
Dude, do these people even BOTHER to watch the previous seasons? Have they never tried to read Carolyn's book? Or Bill Rancic's? Or Amy Henry's? Or the Trump books, for pity's sake?
Sheesh.
Kristen was a travesty, and perhaps felt threatened by John's powerful presence or wanted to make her own name so she sent him as far away as possible. Great leaders surround themselves by talented people and don't allow ego to get in the way of recognizing good skills. Kristen is another example of how nearly anyone can be successful given favorable circumstances, but Trump is not one for that kind of free ride.
John is definitely the best so far, no question, at least as far as we have seen.
And seeing Chris again in the boardroom, I have to say to him that there are a lot of decaffinated brands out there on the market that are just as tasty as the real thing. Calm down, dude...
Bren at least has some maturity and sensibility which will give him a chance later in the game when it gets real.
I do buy that the actress was upset and waiting for someone to give her a proper apology. As Bren says, that experience comes from being married. I almost died when I heard that line and just had to throw a smirk to my wife.
And next time they do a "Book Smarts" show, check a local university, there are courses other than law. Don't get me wrong, I'd just like to see more than law and marketing degrees representing "Book Smarts".
While the contestants ads were not polished the runners had a chance. It was decided the add was about a body wash, and yet the "Professional Ad" was all about how good the face looked. Humm, seems Dove has a problem too. Fire them all and start with a fresh look of spring in the Rockies with a female in the water, could be a big outdoor tub, not the creek, cleansing her self tastefully. Bob
Audrey is my pick to be next off if she keeps that foul mouth of hers going off.
Sorry, but there's no reason so far for her to be so upset. It's very telling when I person can't think of another word to get their point across.
Carolyn won't let her get by. Even if Trump doesn't see the problem, Carolyn does.
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