Peyton Manning, Omaha: Hurry Hurry, Buy It Today!
If you follow American football at all, you know that the big game is coming up soon. If you are a fan of Denver or Seattle, congratulations! Since we live in Colorado, I would have to say that the whole state seems to have Bronco fever, and Peyton Manning might be more popular than legal marijuana right now.
In fact, Omaha might be loving Peyton as well. I’ve never been to Omaha, and I’m sure it’s a nice city. John from Frugal Rules lives there, along with Warren Buffett, but I don’t ever recall it getting so much press as over these past few weeks. In case you aren’t aware, Peyton Manning yells out a string of play calls before each down. It usually consists of something like this:
89, 24, 42, blue, hurry, hurry, Omaha, hike!
Frontier Airlines, a low cost carrier with a hub in Denver, is even offering a $48 fare from Denver to Omaha. I guess this city must offer some clue to the Broncos success, so you better hop on a plane and visit! I think even the 90’s band, Counting Crows, must love Peyton because their song titled aptly enough, “Omaha“, has been playing at breaks during Broncos home games. I can’t imagine it would have been played without Peyton. It doesn’t exactly have a “Who Let the Dogs Out” upbeat tempo.
I guess with all the madness, it makes me wonder how many people actually go out and buy things they don’t need or really even want just because someone famous is advertising them? Athletes and celebrities have been paid for years to wear certain brands or do promotions for certain products. I think most of us know deep down that we will not look like Beyonce if we wear a specific type of makeup. We know that we aren’t going to be in NFL shape if we wear shoes like Peyton, especially if we eat the pizza he gets paid to advertise. Most of us even suspect that these celebrities might not even use the products they seem to gush about on TV and in print. Do you really think Eli and Peyton Manning fight over Oreo cookies? Do they even eat Oreo cookies? Well probably, but that’s not the point.
I am all for supporting your team. I am a proud member of the Big Blue Nation, and you can bet if the Kentucky Wildcats win a championship, I’ll be right there buying my t-shirt. I would do the same if my daughter’s swim team won a big competition and had shirts printed up. Other than that, I’m not sure I can remember buying a product because someone famous endorsed it. Subliminally, I guess I can never be sure.
Kids are horribly susceptible to advertisements. My daughter swears that the Sponge Bob mac and cheese tastes better than the plain kind. I’m not sure you can or should shield children from advertisements, but we do try to avoid watching network cartoons as they seem to be more about selling toys and products than providing entertainment. Another great reason to cancel cable and sign up for Netflix!
Whether you watch cartoons, sports, or the Golden Globes, this is a reminder to never get caught up in the hype and make a purchase because it’s popular. Remember to evaluate every purchase and make sure it is either a need or something that brings you value and/or happiness. Also make sure you aren’t going into debt to be like your favorite celebrity. However, if you were planning a trip from Denver to Omaha, this just might be your lucky month!
Have you ever bought a product because a celebrity endorsed it? Who are you rooting for in the Super Bowl?
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In addition to a free flight, you’d have to pay me $49 to go to Omaha. Sorry John. I loved what Peyton said about it, he seems like a funny dude. But yeah, you’re right, kids fall for these ads like they are the holy truth which is why we make our kids act out TV shows for entertainment.
I’d go for the Berkeshire Hathaway stock holder meeting, but that’s about all I’d need to do in Omaha.
Wow, I’ve never been included in the same sentence as Warren Buffett before! 🙂 Seriously though, I just had to laugh reading this as the stupid “Omaha” crap is ALL OVER the freaking place here. I mean, really people, are we really THAT desperate for attention? There are companies here in town trying to pitch to Peyton that he use “Omaha” again and give him some sort of endorsement deal, though I don’t know what products we could pitch. I couldn’t imagine a life insurance product being worthy of being used during the game.
Yea I don’t really care if a celebrity is endorsing the product. I usually buy a generic brand anyways =) I definitely agree that kids are susceptible to this type of advertising though. I used to idolize sports stars when I was a kid. As for the Super Bowl, I kind of want Manning to get another ring to solidify his legacy. He gets a lot of flak for not being successful in the postseason. But I do like the Seahawks team too. Oh well, I don’t have much of a rooting interest as my Giants are out.
It took me a long time to warm up to Peyton Manning because he played for Tenesseee and that’s sacrilege if you’re from KY. I do think he’s a real stand up guy and he’s really brought some optimism to Colorado. I’d like to see the Broncos win for him.
I think I might be susceptible during the olympics when I see someone with an amazing body promoting some type of food unit. 🙂 Or super cool workout gear type thing. I’ll have to exercise some restraint. 🙂 BTW I totally just bought some neutrogena face products from something I saw in an ad…so yeah it can happen.
I’m sure I’ve done that too. I just can’t remember a specific time.
I don’t think celebrity endorsements necessarily make me or others purchase products or services, but it puts it on your mind and there is probably some studies about how subconsciously we associate success with products because our mind makes a connection, even if we are not fully aware of it. For example, the ‘Beats by Dre’ headphones. They really are just headphones, nothing incredibly innovative. But with the celebrity name on them and celebrity endorsements, I think a large number of people will consider them when purchasing headphones versus if there was no celebrity association.
I think if I was in the store and I’d heard of X product but not Y, it might make me more likely to buy it. Psychology in advertising is fascinating.
LOL, my oldest is BIG into the whole Avengers thing and the new series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. right now, and when she needs new clothes, she always asks for a SHIELD or Avengers t-shirt. There are lots worse things (and more expensive things) she could be wanting and wearing, so I don’t mind spending the cash on a pink Thor t-shirt. 🙂
I LOVE that show. Not sure I’d get a t-shirt, but LOVE It!