• by John Gaffney , July 30, 2002

57 Channels And Somethin’ On: I got up before the kids took over the Nickelodeon Box on Tuesday morning to watch Springsteen on the Today show. Springsteen’s new album deals with the events and aftermath of September’s terrorist attacks. I’m watching and thinking, here’s a guy who is totally confident in his ability to express himself in the harsh light of September 11’s emotion and tragedy. And the reason he’s totally confident is because he has no doubt about his purpose. He comes from a place of passion, compassion and empathy. Then after Matt and Katie sign off, I read The Wall Street Journal, which tells me that advertisers are avoiding 9/11 programming like Ken Lay avoids the truth. I think if media pros act like pros, and come from a perspective of compassion and confidence, 9/11 programming can be addressed intelligently and not avoided.

Culture Clash: Another thing I’m thinking while watching the Today Show is that the new Jaguar commercial doesn’t work too well if you’re familiar with its tagline song. It uses the opening from “London Calling,” the Clash’s apocalyptic punk anthem, to hype a new deal on Jaguars. “London Calling” is the only phrase you hear. But if you know the rest of the lyrics, it’s a tough sell: “The ice age is coming/The sun’s moving in/Meltdown expected, the wheat has grown thin/A nuclear error, but I have no fear…..” I get the feeling that somewhere Clash fans are having a snicker at Jaguar’s expense.

Racing In The Street: And as long as we’re talking rock’ n roll and cars, Ford landed a sweet product placement Monday on the Today show. It was quite obvious that Springsteen was showing Matt Lauer the streets of Asbury Park from a blue Ford Mustang convertible. If only Ford had ads hip enough to run against it.