Ok, let's organize: Write in campaign for Countdown gear!

[crispini]

I know a couple of people have already done this. Can ya'll repost? Where, exactly, IS the msnbc store, what email address should our letters go to, and would you care to post your sample emails that you sent?

Heh heh heh. NOW we're gonna be dangerous. :evilgrin:

[Shopaholic]

1. I can mobilize the QT girls on this too---

so whoever has the addy's--cough it up and we'll lead the charge!

[Clark2008]

2. I used this at ShopNBC

http://www.shopnbc.com/CustomerService/default.aspx?WhereAmIGoing=http://shopnbc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/shopnbc.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_sid=zLiFN9ch&p_lva=&p_sp=&p_li=

I clicked on "How to Contact Us", then on that page, I clicked on "How to E-mail" and then on "Product Inquiry" and then asked for Countdown paraphernalia.

I also contacted [e-mail] and requested the same. :)

Good luck!

[Catchawave]

3. I did this a few days ago....here's their reply:

Dear ShopNBC Customer,

Thank you for your inquiry in regard to Keith Olbermann products. I apologize that we don't carry any of his products at this time. What exactly is his product line? Sometimes we list our items by name and not the collection it is from. If you can describe what you are looking for, we may carry it. Once again, I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

Thank you for contacting ShopNBC. Please feel free to contact us with any further questions or concerns.


Regards,

Jennifer R
Customer Service Representative
ShopNBC

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
Subject => ShopNBC.com: Product Info
Will you be carrying Keith Olbermann items ?

[Clark2008]

4. I got the same reply from the same woman

So, at least we know that one person is footing this info - and is probably collecting and tracking it.
This is what I do at work - track info to make decisions on how best to spend our marketing dollar. If this woman gets enough contact from Keith fans, her tracking info will show the marketing department that they probably need to spend money on Countdown paraphernalia.
This is how it works.
:)

[crispini]

9. Clark2008, I clicked around on the ShopNBC site

and I couldn't find any place that even *carries* MSNBC logo'd stuff. Are you sure that's the right place? It looks more like NBC's equivalent of the Shopping Channel.

Edit: nevermind, I found it:
http://nbcstore.shopnbc.com/nbcstore/

And if it were anywhere, it'd be here, next to the IMUS mugs :puke:
http://nbcstore.shopnbc.com/depts/prodlisting.aspx?deptid=4070&StoreID=2

[Clark2008]

19. Oh - I see you found it.

Discusting that they have Imus stuff and not Keef stuff. :puke:

[WhirlyGirl]

44. OK, I wrote!

[RevCheesehead]

5. What products would you like to request?

bumpersticker? mug? shower curtain? cigarette lighter?

Keith: I hope you're reading this. We will launch you into super-stardom! :loveya:

[gkhouston]

6. does he *want* to be a superstar?

Seriously, does he? He likes having his work justly praised (who doesn't?) and I'm sure he'd like to grow the audience for his show, but he doesn't seem to be on the "star" trip, if you know what I mean. I think he thinks of himself as a guy whose work puts him in the public eye rather than as a celebrity.

[RevCheesehead]

7. nah - you're probably right.

I was thinking "let's make Olbermann a household name." I long for the day when someone says "Keith" everyone knows who you're talking about.

Maybe someone should design a logo. Any graphic artists in the group?

[Clark2008]

20. I can design a logo, but I haven't been given permission

I'm trying very hard to get them to move their butts on this - but, if we use something registered and sell it, they can bust us.

However, I may have an idea, but I'll need e-mail addresses for you all. :evilgrin:

[gkhouston]

21. um, Clark...

is this idea related to promoting Countdown, or is this some other evil idea that you'd like our email addresses for? (On its way.)

ed:sp

[RevCheesehead]

23. I was thinking of a KOEB logo.

But perhaps the mug logo IS the KOEB logo?

[bunny planet]

22. thong, thong, tha, tha, tha thong

Just kidding.
Mousepad would be fun. Beer mug useful.
Shot glass. Suspenders!

[WhirlyGirl]

8. When can we see "I Get My News From Keith" mug in all its glory???

And I agree Keith is not on a "star trip," but unfortunately we have to step in and do the job MSNBC isn't doing -- namely, PROMOTING "COUNTDOWN" -- if we want him to find a wider audience and maintain his independence.

[gkhouston]

10. yeah, I'd like to see the "I Get My News From Keith" mug, too

and I'm all for promoting Countdown... I just think there's always going to be something of a line between promoting Keith as the host of Countdown and promoting Keith as Keith. I have a feeling he'd be a lot more comfortable with the former than with the latter, but that's just my gut feeling, which may be totally wrong.

[WhirlyGirl]

11. As long as the operative word is NEWS, I don't think he'll mind...

... In fact, I think he'll be GRATIFIED to see that slogan popping up EVERYWHERE!!! :thumbsup:

That's why the picture, if there is a picture, needs to be a dignified and professional one.

(Later on, we can generate others in the series with such mottos as:
"I Get My SNARK From KO"
"I Get My Antipathy For Safety Orange Shower Curtains From Keith"
"I Get PALPITATIONS <thumpthump thumpthump thumpthump> When I Watch Keith <sigh> :loveya:"

etc. :-))

----------
<< I'm all for promoting Countdown... I just think there's always going to be something of a line between promoting Keith as the host of Countdown and promoting Keith as Keith. I have a feeling he'd be a lot more comfortable with the former than with the latter. . . >> gk

[gkhouston]

12. LOL, I think my snark was present at birth

and as long as I'm happily married, I think "news" is about the only thing I'd care to get from Keith, but you're welcome to the palpitations. For me, palpitations would just mean the endocrinologist needs to reduce my thyroid medication -- which seems unlikely, as she consistently has me on too little rather than too much.

As for orange shower curtains, I've hated that shade of orange ever since I spent two years in a house that had shag carpeting throughout in that exact shade. One room, I could have dealt with, but the whole house? U-G-L-Y!

[Gogi]

15. You managed to stomach orange carpeting for two years?

I remember that orange shag carpet that had chocolate brown streaks thru
it and this truly putrid avacado green shag carpet which also had brown running thru it! UGH! To this day I can't stand green carpet.

[gkhouston]

16. Oh, that's nothing... the living and dining room had this horrible gilt

wallpaper with orange felt flocking on it. (Think of a huge orange felt design stenciled over the ugliest gold foil imaginable.) It was a "custom" house that my parents bought because the housing market was tight and there really wasn't much to choose from. We knew we weren't likely to stay long, so we didn't bother to redecorate, but I was glad when we left. I'm trying to decide if it was the ugliest house I've ever lived in... um... oh, yeah. Definitely.

[Gogi]

17. Sounds very late '60s early '70s.

Avocado green, harvest gold, tangerine and purple. The last hospital I worked at was built in 1971 and the nun who chose the decorations used orange in the bathrooms. Why? I don't know, perhaps she thought it would stimulate people to get out faster.

[gkhouston]

18. well, it certainly wouldn't help calm an upset stomach!

it was early 70's.

[crispini]

13. Ok, regarding Catcawave and Clark2008's responses,

I think when writing it would be best to be very, VERY specific about what we want. It seems to me that these product requests are going to a very general "Customer Service" bucket at Shop NBC. Judging by that response email, I don't think that the request was heard and understood properly.

I picked "General Comments" and here's what I sent; I'll let you know what I get back:

Hi, I have a comment regarding availability of MSNBC show merchandise at the "NBC Universal Store." (at http://nbcstore.shopnbc.com ) I see that you have an "Imus" mug and hat but that seems to be the only MSNBC show that you have featured. Are there any plans to feature promotional merchandise of any of the other MSNBC shows? I would be interested in a "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" bumper sticker and/or mug.

Thanks!

[gkhouston]

14. yes, I think a tightly focused initial request is a good idea

they might be more willing to dip their toe in the water if it's "only" a bumpersticker and/or mug as opposed to bringing out "the Olbermann line" (hee). I personally think a mug or bumpersticker might be more useful anyway since you can't wear the same T-shirt to work every day unless you're a sysadmin. }(

[crispini]

24. Ah HA! I got a different reply.

Thank you for writing. Your inquiry has reached one of NBC's affiliates, ShopNBC. ShopNBC is one of the nation's leading home shopping retailers. While we can answer your questions regarding select NBC products that we currently offer on our website, www.shopnbc.com, we are unable to address your email regarding NBC products that we do not offer at this time.

To submit your comments, questions or suggestions regarding NBC programs, please locate the appropriate department at www.nbc.com/nbc/footer/Contact_Us.shtml. This information may also be found by clicking on Contact Us located at the bottom of NBC's main webpage, www.nbc.com <http://www.nbc.com> On the NBC page you will find contact information for all of NBC shows and programs. For example, the contact for Nightly News with Tom Brokaw is [e-mail].

We thank you for your interest in NBC products. Please check our website periodically for the latest releases.

Regards,

Tanja H
Customer Service Representative
ShopNBC

I think we should target Countdown directly, perhaps.

[RevCheesehead]

25. Isn't it a little disturbing that they still list Tom Brokaw?

Sounds like they need serious upgrades there!

[Catchawave]

26. Gear thoughts......

With so many creative talents in this group, why not just design our own stuff and sell it at the CafePress?

I much rather give my money to friends than...horrors...the CORPORATE MSM !

I'm not sure I'd buy anything with MSNBC on it either. And I know we can make our designs as unique as KO is :)

Oh yeah, we must have a BASEBALL cap !

We can designate our CafePress profits towards "hiring" Keef as a speaker at some time in the future, or a "NYC Take Keith to Lunch KOEB Convention" type of get together?

[crispini]

27. It's called copyright.

Keith owns the right to his own image. It's pretty much not legal.

[Catchawave]

28. You're way ahead of me!

Of course, I was looking for "wow, what a great idea"....copyright permission would follow :)

Not to mention, I think the average Cafe Press entrepreneur makes about 23 cents a transaction !

[crispini]

29. Yeah, but getting copyright permission from MSNBC

would be a major pain in the tuckus, i.e. wouldn't happen. Why don't you PM Clark2008, I think she's had a similar idea. ;)

[gkhouston]

30. snorf. Imagine their reaction if one of the news quiz prizes

turned out to be an "I get my news from Keith" mug...

on edit: or to go with an inside joke on DU and totally confuse people, the mug could read "I get my news from Keef"

[Catchawave]

31. I can't even post an avatar, much less

think about this copyright stuff :)

I mean, I have a trunk full of John Edwards tee shirts from the primaries, and so far, haven't been sued from the JRE camp yet?

Color me confused !

[crispini]

32. Oh, yeah, but

John Edwards WANTS you to plaster his mug all over the place. He wants to get elected. Media and celebrity types are a lot more sensitive about use of their name / image, at least -- that's a sweeping generalization -- but that seems to be true. Add to that the fact that Countdown / MSNBC staff (or ANYONE, really) could read these boards ....

[gkhouston]

34. not everyone sues the pants off you for every violation

most people will issue a nasty letter first, because it's less time and effort than getting medieval on your ass with the lawyers. Depending on the nature of the violation, they might not even bother with the nasty letters. It's all a big game of "how lucky do you feel?" and that comes down to understanding what you're doing that might be an infringement and also understanding the likely response of the folks you're infringing upon. For example, Paramount turns a blind eye to fan fiction (which is a kind of copyright infringement) but had their lawyers contacting people who leaked copies of the movie scripts to the 'net (which is also an infringement).

[Miami Liberal]

33. I've sent emails to them in the past

and have received the standard replies that some of you got. It's a great idea for all of us to write in. If they get bombarded by us, then we can't be ignored. :)

[gkhouston]

35. You're here!! Hi!

We've missed you! Ain't this place just swell? :bounce:

[Miami Liberal]

36. The ambience is spectacular

I love what you all have done with the place. The floaty-heart candles are to die for! (putting one in my purse as we speak).

:hi:

[gkhouston]

37. wait 'til Sparky finishes building his bar

he does Security now, too. I've been wondering whether that means his job is to protect us from the freepers (sweet idea, but unnecessary, as most of us are well-armed) or to keep us in line (the labors of Hercules pale in comparison), but I haven't gotten up the courage to ask him yet.

Bunny's going to give the place a makeover, I think. The original decor is DU-issue and could still use a little personalizing, IMHO.


ed:sp

[Miami Liberal]

38. I wasn't going to say anything

but the curtains must go! They totally clash with the red shaggy rug. :D

We have Sparky pulling double duty now? I hope we gave him a raise too, wouldn't want to lose him to another group of EDV's with bigger pocketbooks (Of course, they wouldn't be as cute and friendly as US, though).

[gkhouston]

40. I believe his terms of employment are under negotiation

so I'm not sure whether he's getting a raise or being paid "in kind", but we'll find a way to make him an offer he can't refuse. }(

[RevCheesehead]

39. do you really want to know the answer to that question?

I don't. :scared:

Ties. Handcuffs. Security. Useful tools, indeed, but they could be mis-used.

I'll take one of those floaty-heart candles, please. :loveya:

[gkhouston]

41. there are more of us than there are of him

we can always revolt. When we really want to.

[RevCheesehead]

42. Oh-oh (ducking for cover)

Not. gonna. touch. that.

:evilgrin:

[RevCheesehead]

43. If you haven't seen CC's design, you simply MUST!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=315&topic_id=145#232

I'm thinking this would be FAB on a mug!!! :bounce: