Monday, November 10, 2008

Great Moments in Self-Promotion

Russ Smith of Splice Today wasted a perfectly good weekend interviewing me about the economy, Obama, my wife's take on my blogging habit, and -- oh yeah! -- baseball.

I tend to go on and on, so if you're not into the whole brevity thing, check out the results here.

14 comments:

Mark S said...

So you're unAmerican as you won't let the Padres wear their camo uniforms? Liberal pinko - just another example of the leftist media.

Well back to work - will respond in my third of five visits today.

Craig Calcaterra said...

Nope, no camo uniforms. They're an abomination, and whatever they're trying to accomplish pales compared to real things the Padres could be (or maybe actually are) doing to show support for the military. Free tickets. Money to injured soldiers charities. That kind of stuff.

Maybe that's heartless of me, but if anyone can understand and appreciate the importance of integrity of uniform, it's the military.

Mark S said...

As a cold-war era US Army MP (out just before the first Gulf War), I completely agree that wearing gear is really not support but marketing. I struggle with folks that wear camo or uniforms as fashion and I will never own a HUMMER, not for economic/environmental reason - though I agree it make no sense owning one for those reason, but because I drove the real thing for the purpose that it was intended for.

I've tended to question promotional support efforts such as 'for every HR I hit I'll donate x dollars'. My thought is that you donate a specific sum of money and volunteer your time to be a spokesperson (giving voice to a cuase is worthy) but stop tying your support to any type of promotional effort (which I see as not so worthy).

Anonymous said...

@moose

The $$$ for home runs is a bit self-aggrandizing, but the plus side for the charity is that it gets their name in lights whenever those milestones are met. In a sense, it's extra advertising just like the Dunkin Dugout that you hear about during every home game at Fenway. They're effectively being given sponsorship of every home run or strikeout or stolen base.

I'd rather see the $5 for the Jimmy Fund with every strikeout than another ad for W.B. Mason.

Anonymous said...

Bloggers interviewing other bloggers? How many days until pitchers and catchers report?

Mark S said...

@ Rob,

I greatly appreciate the publicity that these organizations/causes get as often they are nameless, faceless, often borderling resourcesless entities that do some incredible work but get little in way of resource allocation. As one who has worked for and served on boards of several non-profits I know from whence I speak. Personally I tend to aspire to/advocate for the higher degrees of charity where doing things for others without their knowledge or recognition of others is the ideal.

Side note - Just when did every interview on ESPN Radio get sponsorship - can't someone just come on the air and talk about the good that others are doing without referencing how ABC Inc. has made it possible.

Mark S said...

Craig - It was a nice little interview maybe we get back to talking about your life as a blogger extraordinaire.

Eric Toms said...

Did I miss the part on your wife's take on Shysterball?

I didn't know about LPOs, thought that was intereting...

Craig Calcaterra said...

Pete -- that part got edited out, and I just didn't realize it before I posted. He basically asked me if my wife gets sick of me blogging all of the time, and my answer was that she's generally fine with it, but it's killing our NetFlix habit.

LPOs are really cool. Despite the fact that I'm a lawyer, I think the legal profession needs some radical change, and LPOs go a long way towards doing that.

Anonymous said...

I've been to a number of games at Petco where the Marines boots from Camp Pendelton where given a section. And usually a standing ovation as they march in. To me that is so much better than the silly camo uniforms.

About the LPOs ... I am a semi-reformed attorney working with a startup LPO doing most of the legal work in the mortgage default arena. I'm writing from Bangalore, India where we do about 90% of what used to be sent to attorneys. Ohio, one of the few judicial foreclosure states, is very protectionist, but this is a movement whose time is coming.

The biggest problem is that it is impossible to see baseball live from here. With a 9 1/2 hour time difference, I don't want to hear anymore complaints about games ending at midnight. On the other hand, one of these trips I may figure out what in the heck they are doing in a cricket match.

Jorge Costales said...

Great interview, I liked the fact that it ventured into all sorts of areas. Was very interested on the practical aspects of posting on your blog etc. - gave me an idea on asking various bloggers uniform questions - when do you blog etc - a Brian Lamb for bloggers

Keep up the good work

Anonymous said...

Big Lebowski, Big Lebowski, Big Lebowski!!

Craig Calcaterra said...

That's just, like, your opinion, man.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Calcaterino...