That being said, my creative ideas are usually just mindless observations about the world of sports (like the ones that I'm about to share with you). I hope, and somewhat half believe, that one day I'll think of an idea that is either meaningful, profitable, or both. As Russell Crowe's character John Nash said in A Beautiful Mind (2001), "Find a truly original idea. It is the only way I will ever distinguish myself. It is the only way I will ever matter."
Now this might seem like an unreasonable goal, but to use the example that everyone in the 90's did, "The guy that thought of the Chia Pet (remember these? ) is probably a millionaire." That's all it takes. A dumb idea like that and you're set.
Before I get to my sports related ideas (none of which are profitable), here are a few money making/saving ideas that I marvel at:
Rebates- This is an absolutely brilliant idea. First it draws consumers in because the price of an item is significantly lower (after the rebate) and then capitalizes on their laziness because there's no way that more than 60% of people actually take the time to properly fill out the rebate form and mail it in on time.
Gift cards- Another great idea because it's a perfect and convenient gift, but how many people actually use them? For example, My Uncle has gotten me a gift card to Starbuck's for Christmas for about six years running and I don't think I have ever even stepped foot inside one of their establishments.
Soap bars- It seems insignificant, but how much soap do you think these companies save by carving their logo into every one of the bars that they sell? Let's say that the soap left over from carving out the logo from 10 bars is enough to make another bar. Now I'm no economics major, but the company is then essentially increasing their profits by 10% because they are selling 90% of their product at full price. Does this make sense?
Now on to my sports related ideas:
1.) Kevin Boss, New York Giants TE
You may have heard me say this one before because I have thought about it for a few years now, but why don't the people controlling the music in Giants Stadium blast a Bruce Springsteen song every time Giants tight end Kevin Boss makes a catch? Seriously, think about it. Bruce Springsteen is an American icon whose popularity is at its peak in the state of New Jersey. His nickname is The Boss. Giants Stadium is in New Jersey. Their TE's last name is Boss. Just imagine how crazy the crowd would go if this played after every one of Boss' receptions. Would he not immediately become the fan favorite?
2.) Brian Wilson, San Francisco Giants RP
Sticking with the thought of associating athletes with music. Why doesn't Brian Wilson, the closer for the San Francisco Giants, enter the game to either a Beach Boys song or to "Brian Wilson Said" by The Barednaked Ladies? Now maybe Brian Wilson, the Giants closer, thinks that Brian Wilson, the lead singer of The Beach Boys, is a no talent ass clown, but if I'm him I would not leave the bullpen until I heard "Surfin' in the USA."
As many of you know, entrance music in baseball is something I'm very interested in. This one particularly baffles me because it's rare that pitchers even get entrance music. All batters get to select what song they want played as the step up to the plate, but only closing pitchers get to select what song gets played when they enter the game. If I worked for the San Francisco Giants I'd get Brian Wilson to say, "For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings "Kokomo," by the end of the season.
3.) Michael Strahan, former New York Giants DE
The other night someone at work mentioned how former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan is suddenly everywhere. He's a staple on FOX's football coverage on Sundays, he's doing Subway ads with Jared, and he's getting his own sitcom. After realizing that he really is everywhere my first thought was, "Why isn't he doing commercials for The Gap?" Seriously, if you're an advertising or marketing executive for The Gap how are you not already on the phone with his agent?
1 comment:
Speaking of ideas. Remember when Dad used to always tell us about this great idea he had - a bowl, which after holding the food you eat out of it, you could eat. I must have heard that idea a hundred times, even after I had told him it already existed and even bought him one once. I think he re-told me about it last month.
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