The 16th Minute Of Fame
We have all probably heard the famous quote from Andy Warhol in 1968, "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes".
My questions is, what about the 16th minute?
Another one of my favorite poets Neil Young said, "It’s better to burn-out than it is to rust". I like to think that Neil was talking about the 16th minute; the minute after your time has past.
Friend and fellow blogger Greg Verdino alerted me (via his blog of course) to something that I had to comment on. Greg posted the latest video by the highly revered (?) Tay Zonday. While Tay Zonday is one of my personal hero’s 
, I am wondering whether or not he is taking his modern day classic, Chocolate Rain a little too far.
Actually, let’s be honest, if faced with the opportunity that Tay Zonday had after his You Tube success, many of us would have capitalized on it.
But what about a brand? Is Dr. Pepper doing a good job of joining the conversation with this strategy, or is this just another corporate "me too" affair. I am sure it is garnering a lot of attention, but is it attention that the brand really wants? Is this a really effective strategy?
I would love to hear your thoughts!
Tags: Cherry Chocolate Rain, Tay Zonday, Greg Verdino, Neil Young, Andy Warhol
Nov 30, 2007
I always thought is was “Its better to burnout than to fade away” because if it is, than we are speaking to two separate issues.
Rust occurs from inaction. Think of chain on a bicycle that hasn’t been ridden or maintained. The chain no longer has worth. This occurs when no caregiver or guardian is present to maintain the chain. Its 16th minute is one of sedentary exsistence.
To fade away is a natural process, one that occurs over time and is a product of social evolution. What is hip today can’t and won’t be hip tomorrow unless it reinvents itself, thus altering the very item it once was. Dr. Pepper has continually evolved into relevancy. First Diet Dr. Pepper tasted just like regular Dr. Pepper, a sure treat for all the health conscious. Now (according to my television) Diet Dr. P. tastes just like a frosted doughnut and a piece of chocolate cake. Yum, all the taste, none of the gym membership.
Dr. Pepper has continually reset its “brand clock” to reinsure an additional 15 minutes.
Ask any athlete or brand manager success always comes down to time management.
No one live forever, but with a good diet and exercise you can surely extend your 15 minutes, its what the Dr. ordered.
Dec 01, 2007
Thanks for the comment Darkside Avenger!
First thing, both Neil Young lines are correct, they are different verses
I have gotten a few comments (off this blog) speaking about how many feel that Dr. Pepper has done a great job of staying relevant. I am still not 100% sold on this fact, and I am not sure if this example does anything to help the matter.
I am afraid I am going to need more if I am going to be convinced
Thanks for the input
Jan 04, 2009
no doubt Zonday and Dr. Pepper’s relationship will prove to be mutually beneficial, especially for Zonday