I was relaxing leafing through the latest New Yorker magazine while watching Extra on TV, when I came upon this week's New Yorker cartoon caption contest selection (on left).This has GOT to be the biggest PR coup ever for Takeda's Rozerem marketing team! Obviously, that's the deep sea diver often seen in the background of those Rozerem ads featuring Abe Lincoln and the beaver (see "Rozerem Ads Dis Lincoln, Show Beaver").
I submitted the following caption on the official contest web page.
"He's the sleep-aid medication celebrity spokesperson who will explain the side effects to you while I play golf with the sales rep."
If you have a caption along similar lines, please submit it as a comment to this post. But be sure to also submit it to the New Yorker first, lest someone else submits it and wins. Don't worry; I can't rip you off -- only one entry per person or e-mail address is allowed.
Instead of perscribing Rozarem for your sleep problems, let's first try having one of the characters from thier ill-concieved marketing campaign follow you around.
ReplyDeleteTalk about a Rorschach experience. Obviously you see things through the spectrum of your own considerations. Most of us are not as deeply immersed in the pharma marketing world as you, and we do not make the automatic association between this deep sea diver and Rozerem ads. Now if they had included a beaver and Lincoln, then maybe you would have a point.
ReplyDeleteSure. Keep in mind that it's all a bit tongue-in-cheek and for fun's sake. Of course, I will never miss an opportunity to take a jab at the Rozerem ad campaign.
ReplyDeleteNow, we both have gloves on, so either he an give you the exam while you sleep - or I can do it now...
ReplyDeleteThe idea of Physicians golfing with Sales reps is so 90's! With all of the guidelines and restrictions on the Pharma industry today you must be Dreaming of the past. Your suggested caption attempts to paint a false picture of reality today.
ReplyDeleteWhat? There are no physicians that have not become friends with sales reps and go out on golfing dates with them? Is golf so 90's? I leave open who pays for it. Could be Dutch treat!
ReplyDeleteOK, but your recommended caption implies that this is the culture of drug promotion today. I would suggest altering your entry so that you do not encourage any unnecessary Pharma bashing.
ReplyDeleteBut John lives to promote pharma bashing! Unnecessary or not.
ReplyDeleteI don't bash. And I certainly don't promote bashing! I offer essential criticism and point out when the emperor has no clothes.
ReplyDeleteBesides, bashing requires that I name names, which I haven't done in this case.
I guess you guys are all from AT, right?