My friend Debbie just sent me a link to an article that outlines how T. Boone Pickens is backing off his wind farm in Texas. He states that they “got a little bit too quick off the blocks.” Bullshit. T was in the right place, at the right time, with the right idea and the money to get it rolling. But guess what? As usual, “its the economy stupid”. When Monster is laying people off (that’s more ironic than ray-a-ain on your wedding day) and furniture stores are giving away groceries, it’s easy to see that the current shakeout is not over. Obviously “T” is smarter than I am, and he will figure out a way to get this done. Just like we all need to do with our own plans.
Does T Boone Pickens write his own ads? In just 15 seconds this ad explains the problem, gets me motivated to want to take action, and gives me a simple call to action that I can follow.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1648674250/bctid1755448369
If you don’t want to follow the link, the ad talks about how the government of Iran is making a MAJOR effort to use natural gas in their vehicles so they can free up $120 a barrel oil to sell to us while we are doing nothing.
This reminds me of the ad that ran when I was a kid that encouraged people not to litter. People toss their trash out of a car at the feet of a native American. I think of that Indian everytime I watch some pig toss their cigarette butt out of their car onto our earth.
Holy cow how do I sign up to live in this innovative, happy, intelligent, color blind world that exists in the advertising that runs on Sunday mornings? Are all oil companies really committed to developing renewable energy sources? Are insurance companies sinking profits into keeping me healthy in the first place? And if big banks are investing in American innovation, then we really are well poised to create the economy based on Energy Technology. The truth is, that advertising and marketing will play a key role in influencing behavior and public opinion regarding what our country does about energy. My feeling however is that $4 a gallon has done more. Oil companies are all trying to position themselves in the best possible light as people open their minds and begin to demand new alternatives. My question is, why only air these messages during political or national news programming? I’d like to see these highly produced, carefully written ads air during American Idol, sports and sitcoms as well. Then I will believe that these companies are actually hoping to educate the public and get them to participate in the process. So far, it just feels like a cry to investors.
Over the past couple days, I met with both Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama. I think it’s safe to say that you and I have gotten their attention.
They both mentioned the TV ads about our campaign to end America’s addiction to foreign oil.
I told them both about you and the others who have joined with me in building this army. They are smart men. They know what it means to have over 4 million people visit your website. They know what it means to have hundreds of thousands joining.
And they knew what it meant when I told them that there will be over a million of us by the time this election happens - that we’ll be ready to make big things happen when one of them becomes the next president.
These meetings would not have happened if you hadn’t taken the time to come to the website and sign up - I can’t thank you enough.
T. Boone Pickens
The Boston Business Journal is conducting an online survey about windmills. I was very happily surprised to see the results. You can participate here:
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/poll/index.html?poll_id=6144
While doing our own research for our client Dawn Solar, we found that people don’t want to put “Ugly” solar panels on top of their homes. Could it be that the attitude toward renewable energy sources is starting to turn around? Is this not a huge hurdle in getting to the other side? Or, could it be that the people responding to the survey are the open minded types that are already welcome to these new ideas?
It is with great enthusiasm that I observe T. Boone Picken’s move into wind and other renewable energies. (www.pickensplan.com) Mr Pickens has the means to spread the word about his plans quickly and to push the conversation about the challenges that face our planet. He and Al Gore do not agree on every point, and that is a good thing. Mr Gore has become too much of a single voice for this movement. Like any marketing spokesperson, Al Gore becomes so identified with the brand, product, service or movement that he represents, that many people become blinded to the message. Last week a friend of mine laughed repeatedly over Mr. Gore’s statement “The world has a fever”. I’m happy that he enjoyed such a laugh, but he was focused on the messenger and not the message. With more guests, such as “T” coming to the party, we should start to see a lot more attention paid to plans and ideas. Mr. Gore has done a Herculean job of carrying this torch for a long time now. I’m sure that he welcomes the help. Converting the earth to renewable energy is going to take an entire generation. That’s a task too heavy for even the Jolly Green Giant.
