Chase the Dog

As if Chase bank (JP Morgan) doesn’t get enough of our attention already!  Seriously.  I bank at Chase mainly because of the convenience of finding an ATM (they DO hold the most in the city).  But today, they may have gone too far.  Racked got sent this photo above of “Chase” the big blue dog mascot.  Chase has a blue dog mascot? wtf.  This is exactly the sort of thing I do NOT need cluttering up my streets (this time it was at the newly opened 19th and Park location).

On the other hand, it is kindof funny and cute.  Hard to hate a big blue dog.  Now, a big blue dog handing out some cash I could REALLY get into….ruff!

“Chrome Hearts Limited Edition”

The Jacket that is causing quite the fuss over here at gofg.  A quick google search on the beloved item turned up the above picture.  Yep that’s Rick Salomon Anderson sporting the same jacket that we reported seeing on “greeseball mcgee” Brandon Davis last thursday night.  In case you missed it, our dislike of the jacket caused one reader to call into question our “style”.  Our own Stanley was quick to come to our defense.  His response follows:

Comments»

1. Oligopoly - October 29, 2007[Edit]

You have no taste. That jacket is Chrome Hearts limited edition–costs $12,000. Rick Salomon can be seen wearing that jacket around Park City during the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. Look under his wireimage pictures for proof. He also wore it when he sat in the front row of the Zac Posen show during fashion week fall 2004.

2. Stanley Stuyvesant - October 29, 2007[Edit]

You equate taste to Rick Salomon, the guy who made and sold his sex tape with Paris Hilton? Yes, you certainly know taste.

Oh, and citing a $12,000 price tag to try and give legitimacy to a piece of clothing is laughable. I could find a better jacket in the bargain bin at a flea market. Or I could skin the backseat of a Buick Park Avenue.

The day you get out of your little fashion bubble, will be the day you realize that fashion is a BUSINESS, a very effective business that makes individuals like yourself feel good about spending 1000% mark up on clothing.

Hopefully you got a bowl of soup with your Chrome Hearts Limited Edition jacket…

First The Houdini, now The Copperfield

Some of you may have heard of The Houdini, a rather nasty little bedroom magic trick. Well now it appears that David Copperfield might have his own trademark bedroom trick up his sleeve (and in his sheets). Apparently a 21 year-old model has alleged that the crafty magic man tricked her into coming alone to his house near the Bahamas, and then raped her.

Whether true or not, the legal implications are unclear since all of the allegations occurred on Musha Cay (an island 85 miles south of Nassau, Bahamas), outside of the US. Nonetheless, a Seattle Grand Jury is investigating the matter, and the FBI has claimed jurisdiction and apparently raided Copperfield’s magic museum in Las Vegas.

Anyone want to make an official definition for The Copperfield?  Or add to our list of possible headlines:

David Cops A Feel

David Go Liath

Love Potion #69

American Apparel likes it from behind.

American Apparel notoriously loves getting people all riled up. Especially with it’s racy ads and especially on the billboard over Houston street. Well the latest one shown above was no exception and got a lot of people talking about the company and their sexist ways. Then some graffiti artist thought it would be cool to write in the following words circled in the above photo on said ad. Blah blah blah….more and more talk. Now this is the ad and everybody seems content. Ah another doggie styled day on Houston Ave.

Meet Brother Camping…

…And then help us convince Brandon Davis to call into him.

Those of you who have not had the distinct pleasure of being able to hear Brother Harold Camping on Family Radio are missing out. On weeknights he holds the Open Forum show where people from all over to world can call in an speak with Brother Camping. Recently, we were listening as a young guilt-ridden man called in to ask for advice about a recent impropriety he had committed:

“Brother Camping, I was recently at a bachelor party for a friend. I had three beers and was feeling tipsy and I then indulged in a marijuana cigarette. What should I do?”

The first thing brother Camping did was point out the obvious fact that the word bachelor immediately should raise a red flag, and that it was clearly linked with sin. This man should have known from the get go that something BAD was going to happen.

So we continued to listen and waited for Camping to say “but God is an almighty, all-forgiving God” and that this man would be ok. Well he didn’t. He told the guy that he would just have to wait and see what happened. Ouch! This guy according to Camping is basically screwed.

After seeing Brandon Davis aka Greeseball Mcgee (GM) at Rose Bar last night, we got a brilliant idea… How great would it be to have GM call into Brother Camping!?!  For now, we can only guess what the host would have to say to young Davis about his behaviors, but we’re sure it would be some of the most entertaining radio we’ve ever heard.  We can tell you this much: the black leather QUILTED jacket he was sporting last night was a SIN in itself.

Cannabilism is taboo for a reason

We were recently thinking about the Rugby Ralph Lauren clothing line that was launched by Polo Ralph Lauren and were trying to determine which niche Rugby is trying to fill. Their website says:

“A place where preppy Ivy League tradition compliments new styles to cultivate a rich sense or character and individuality.”

Hmmm…this sounds a lot like the niche Polo has filled since 1967.  Its starting to feel like the late 90’s when there was two Starbucks on the same corner.  It seems like Rugby is just plain cannabilism, eating into Polo’s very own market.  Having perused most all of their stores (NYC, Seattle, Greenwich, Boston), we simply were not impressed.  In theory the line was supposed to compete with the likes of Abercrombie, and American Eagle Outfiters.  But alas, the prices are much higher, and no doubt can only be afforded by the Polo set.

The concept also seems a bit off.  Going for an edgier preppy look is contrary to the entire preppy style.  Prepsters are antiquated dinosaurs who where madra shorts, pastels, and whale pants, something that hasn’t changed in decades.  The whole point of this style is that it doesn’t change!

Michael Jackson: A PR Case Study

A “New Face” for the King of Pop

So my friend is taking the class “The History Theory and Practice of Public Relations” at NYU. This of course means she gets to partake in “creative arts” projects with other adults. Though taking night classes after a full day’s work can certainly be challenging, the paybacks are often pretty rewarding. Their first assignment was a “Dynamic Duo Case Report” in which they must clinically examine a contemporary public relations case (picked randomly from out of a hat) and using concepts and practices discussed in class organize a 10-minute presentation. This includes listing out the primary challenges and an action course for the case. Her case study = Michael Jackson.

My friend soon learned what we all know too well: Michael Jackson is a most difficult PR case. He has had a lot of “different faces” but it seems at present, he needs a “new face” in the public spotlight. Skimming through her power point presentation left me grinning. I mean what a guy. He’s provided us with so many years of things to talk about. Of course there are his musical milestones including 13 #1 hit singles, 13 Grammys, over 750 million musical units sold, the best selling album of all time, the Guinness Book of World Record’s most successful entertainer of all time and the crowned “King of Pop”.  There are also the social “milestones”, including child molestation accusations, financial troubles, and more importantly strange behaviors. Craig Marks, editor of music magazine Blender explains it best: “The media is no longer dwelling on Jackson’s music. It is almost impossible to hear his records and not conjure that scary weird guy.” Changing the tainted public opinion of MJ would be the most challenging part of his PR case, here are her steps to get MJ a “Brand New Face”:

Focus on 2 main aspects:

1.) Trying to make the public forget about the charges brought against him.

2.) Portraying Michael as a “normal person” who is ready to make his way back into the spotlight.

Summary of her tips to do this:

-Sell Never Land (no one said this would be easy Michael)

-Use the money to get out of financial debt as well as donate childish possessions to various charities (Like his Richie-Rich-styled Rollar Coaster!)

-Aside from donating various possessions from NL ranch, DO NOT donate to children’s charities. Any way to deter the public from being reminded of MJ’s previous alleged relations with youth is advisable.

-Slowly be brought back into the public eye. Get caught doing “NORMAL” activities and in a controlled fashion (get conservative stylist and get shot for US Weekly’s “Stars, They’re Just Like Us” feature).

-Start heavy collaboration with new artists instead of the already-done greatest hits CD. Pick artists who’s own careers have been heavily influenced by MJ’s work (Kanye, Justin, Usher, etc.) (I personally would love to see MJ and Timberlake have a dance off on a music video)!

-Do not go on tour but rather surprise fans on stage at the concerts of his collaborating artists for a fresh start.

-Fulfill his contract with the Prince of Bahrain and in the future only sign contracts he knows he can and will commit to and follow.

Though it will be hard, I think with a new PR team headed by my lovely friend, and a positive attitude, MJ CAN MAKE A COMEBACK!! He would need a lot of support and alot of work (both physically, mentally, and spiritually), but if people are so eager for Britney’s big comeback, I think we at least need to give the King a chance. Otherwise, this may be his progression:

I must also admit, however, that although this presentation seems thorough and convincing, trying to assess and reinvent the PR situation surrounding MJ with any amount of certainty is simply impossible.  Its not black and white.  There is a massive gray (if not coffee colored) area that ultimately clouds any kind of exact conclusion on what steps to take.  For example, assimilating MJ back into “normal” society sounds good, but is it really possible?  Will he be authentic, and will the public accept him?  Is the abnormal baggage not inextricably tied to the man, the myth, and the legend surrounding MJ? I hope that we all get the chance to find out, I’m getting bored with the “difficult PR girls” (Lohan, BritBrit, Nicole).

Rudy the Traitor

It looks like Rudy Giuliani failed to realize that Baseball is not a place for compromise. More specifically, the Yankees and Red Sox rivalry. He recently voiced his support for the BoSox in New Hampshire, while trying to shore up votes. Though he used the excuse that he is a fan of the American League and wants the AL team to win, it simply doesn’t cut it. Any, and we mean ANY support for the Sox’s is tantamount to treason in New York.

We would certainly expect these tactics from the carpet-bagging Senator from Arkansas (Yes, Hillary is a Yankees fan and a Cubs fan), but Rudy should have known better. After an embarrassing debacle involving his daughter showing support of Barack Obama on her Facebook profile, Rudy certainly seems ripe for this kind of criticism…

LWALA

LWALA stands for “Living with a Life Long Ambition” and it’s an organization we’ve been hearing quite a lot about lately. Their goal is “to connect people with tangible solutions for epic problems.” Their current focus is AIDS and the village of Lwala, Kenya. LWALA got started when Alexa von Tobel and Danielle Snyder spent a summer internship in the village of Lwala for 85 Broads. During that time, Danielle and Alexa, along with three other students from Harvard, Princeton, and SCAD made a documentary about the village and its AIDS crisis. Through their documentary, “Journey to Lwala,” they hoped to enlighten and motivate their peers to fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

This was just the beginning. Upon returning to the states, the two realized they wanted to begin a life-long journey to make a difference. One of the biggest problems for Lwala was the lack of access to healthcare. The closest hospital was over 100km away. To date they have raised over $45,000 and the Lwala Community Health Clinic officially was opened on April 2, 2007. There are so many non-profit organizations to become involved with in New York but we really like this one and here’s why: check out the young team members that make up LWALA. This is truly an organization founded and run by YOUNG individuals, including Milton Ochieng, a Lwala native, who after losing his parents to AIDS felt compelled as a Vanderbilt medical student to fulfill his father’s dying wish-the creation of the first Lwala Community Health Clinic. Milton was the first person from his village to have flown on an airplane, and was sent to America by his village through the sale of livestock and property so that he could become a doctor and one day return. As he departed, his neighbors asked of him, “Just don’t forget us.” Well Milton certainly has not forgotten his village, and has brought back hope and the promise of a better future. He also operates the website, www.hopeforlwala.com. Team members also include society-maven Kristian Laliberte, and our favorite Abigail Lorick, among others.

On November 29th, 2007, fellow philanthropist Natalie Portman will join Team Lwala in hosting and speaking at their first annual gala at Battery Gardens at 8:00. All proceeds will be used to support the new hospital in Lwala, Kenya. There will also be a runway show by Lorick New York (of Gossip Girl fame) and Dannijo Jewels, along with live music, cocktails and heavy hor douvres.

Go here to buy your tickets (discounted rates if purchased before 10/30)

Club Kids Style Still Relevant…

…um tell us something we DIDN’T know! haha

Its always such a pleasure to find others out there who share our bizarre fascination/obsession/love of all things relating to Club Kids (a la Kenny Kenny, Richie Rich, James St. James). So when we saw NYMag’s Video Look Book of Theresa Dapra, spotted in Soho recently, we had to share.  Theresa is a young girl whose dress was inspired by Party Monster (The cult film that chronicles Club Kids).

We should point out though that our obsession doesn’t cover the likes of Michael Alig.  Although he was the ringleader and patron, the circumstances of his downfall leaves too much of a macabre taste in our mouths. He just wasn’t as fabulous as some of his followers.  This girl made our day.

Will David Geffen sue?

[Source: Reuters]

The Fires in Malibu are a ragin’ and now have claimed over a billion dollars of property damage. As they creep ever so closely to the wealthy strip on Malibu that contains the homes of celebrities like David Geffen, Britney Spears, and Mel Gibson we are left to wonder if the richest man in entertainment will sue the Fire.

[Source: Getty Images]

In 2002 Geffen filed a lawsuit to stop access to the public beach in front of his house. Although the record mogul ended up settling (after much public ire), we think he might have a better shot this time around.

[Source: The Observer]

For starters, there certainly won’t be any public outrage since everyone wants the fires to go away. Secondly, Gary Trudeau (writer of Doonesbury) won’t lampoon Geffen this time in his strip, but will probably laud his efforts. Lastly, most of Southern Cali public beaches are already smoke-free, so its just the next step in a logical progression. Go for it David!

[Source: SurfRider Foundation]

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