super bowl-level hype

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Posted by james fisher (139.140.141.185) on February 05, 2001 at 19:09:36:

In Reply to: A Call For Arms posted by Philip Sharp on February 05, 2001 at 15:26:16:

I wasn't at the meeting on Sunday. I'm sure there was some good discussion about this before the vote was taken. More power to Howell if this is something y'all want to do.

If I had been at the meeting, however, I think I would have objected pretty strongly. I've been observing for a while now a very strong tendency to 'brand' Howell, with witty slogans, ads, logos, etc. in posters and emails. "The best stuff is in here"... "The Best of Everything"... Publicity IS part of a social house's obligations, and one thing that all this branding has accomplished is a firm mental image, in my mind at least, of something Howell does well: self-promotion.

But publicity like this is best used when there's something substantial to promote: a party, a discussion, a community service project. The medium, I think, is already eclipsing the message. I don't see how an offical Howell insignia and motto would do anything but further this trend.

So I would be cautious, if I were a house leader, about spending too much time on this stuff. Howell(tm) isn't a brand, or a TV network, or an insignia, or a motto: it's a social house. Content is more important than buzz- just ask pets.com.

-James Fisher
jfisher@bowdoin.edu

: To all Howell Affiliates:

: It was agreed at tonight's meeting that the house should move forward in
: adopting a set of insignia and related symbols. I am making an official
: request for ideas related to the following:

: - House colors
: - Crest/Coat of Arms/Seal
: - Motto (Best in Latin or some other dead language. We can translate.)
: - Any other official symbol you feel strongly about!

: We will be looking at any idea or design, complete or partial. Please
: email them to me or send them via campus mail. If you want to be
: involved directly with this project, email me.

: Please have submissions in by February 28th. The final decisions shall
: be made at a house meeting to be announced.

: - Philip Sharp
: House Leader
: psharp@bowdoin.edu
: 692 Smith Union

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: I wasn't at the meeting on Sunday. I'm sure there was some good discussion about this before the vote was taken. More power to Howell if this is something y'all want to do. : If I had been at the meeting, however, I think I would have objected pretty strongly. I've been observing for a while now a very strong tendency to 'brand' Howell, with witty slogans, ads, logos, etc. in posters and emails. "The best stuff is in here"... "The Best of Everything"... Publicity IS part of a social house's obligations, and one thing that all this branding has accomplished is a firm mental image, in my mind at least, of something Howell does well: self-promotion. : But publicity like this is best used when there's something substantial to promote: a party, a discussion, a community service project. The medium, I think, is already eclipsing the message. I don't see how an offical Howell insignia and motto would do anything but further this trend. : So I would be cautious, if I were a house leader, about spending too much time on this stuff. Howell(tm) isn't a brand, or a TV network, or an insignia, or a motto: it's a social house. Content is more important than buzz- just ask pets.com. : -James Fisher : jfisher@bowdoin.edu : : To all Howell Affiliates: : : It was agreed at tonight's meeting that the house should move forward in : : adopting a set of insignia and related symbols. I am making an official : : request for ideas related to the following: : : - House colors : : - Crest/Coat of Arms/Seal : : - Motto (Best in Latin or some other dead language. We can translate.) : : - Any other official symbol you feel strongly about! : : We will be looking at any idea or design, complete or partial. Please : : email them to me or send them via campus mail. If you want to be : : involved directly with this project, email me. : : Please have submissions in by February 28th. The final decisions shall : : be made at a house meeting to be announced. : : - Philip Sharp : : House Leader : : psharp@bowdoin.edu : : 692 Smith Union

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