SI.com chimes in on Simmons/IRL deal

[OWFANatic]

What's the old saying, bad publicity is better than no publicity?

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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/mike_mcallister/01/17/the.rant/index.html

The Indy Racing League would like nothing more than to turn the wayback machine to the 1970s, when the Indy 500 was still the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, and Indy drivers were celebrated for their death-defying derring-do in an open-wheel cockpit.

Of course, it's the Daytona 500 and NASCAR's more marketable drivers that dominate America's motorsports consciousness, while Indy and its half-brother CART are relegated to the second team, save for the occasional curiosity of Danica Patrick.

But in hopes of reclaiming past glory, the IRL has reached back to an icon from the '70s --- rock star Gene Simmons of KISS. It's either an act of desperation ... or an act of sheer genius.

I happen to think it's the former ... and I take that stance with much regret.

Full disclosure: I was a huge KISS fan during my high school days, and Simmons was my favorite member of the group. On numerous occasions I would extol the virtues of their music, arguing that only true fans could see past the kabuki makeup, fire-breathing antics and seven-inch leather heels and fully appreciate the nuances of such classics as Love Gun and Plaster Caster.

But even I have to admit the relevancy of Simmons and the KISS name is lost on anybody who doesn't consider it a watershed event when Gene and the boys first took off the makeup.

I'm sure Simmons, who has already co-authored the IRL's official theme song, will bring unbridled enthusiasm to its marketing campaign. "We intend to go places where perhaps no one initially thought of going," Simmons said at a recent news conference.

Hopefully, that means more than spewing fire and sticking out a ridiculously long tongue.

But despite being a former member of the KISS Army, I just don't think Simmons wields the kind of magic to make the IRL significantly more popular. In fact, I'm not sure anybody short of Bono can save the IRL --- and I'm pretty sure Bono has more important issues to work on.

Simmons and KISS once sang of putting the X in Sex. Just don't expect him to put the relevancy in the IRL.

[Sybil D. Sobydianz]

Now, really, how seriously can we take the opinion of a former KISS fan when it comes to marketing intelligence?

[Defender]

Do ANY of those hung up on Mr. Simmons antics in the 1970's understand that Kiss no longer regularly performs, and that Mr. Simmons has moved on to another line of work...one that has made him successful again in a different arena? Wouldn't it be nice if just one of these pundits didn't take the easy way out just once?

[Frank Capua]

Do ANY of those hung up on Mr. Simmons antics in the 1970's understand that Kiss no longer regularly performs, and that Mr. Simmons has moved on to another line of work...one that has made him successful again in a different arena? Wouldn't it be nice if just one of these pundits didn't take the easy way out just once?

Yes it's kind of hard to take someone serious whose writing shows they don't understand the basics as to what is going on here or just what parts are being played by who.

[JBaiza]

I'll bet the self made Gene Simmons probably knows a bit more about making money for others as well as himself than the writer of this article, Mike McAllister.

[Tony Johns]

So SI is credible when they put Danica on the cover, but not when they're critical of (or in this case, apathetic about) the IRL?

Just wanted to clarify things a bit here.

[JBaiza]

So SI is credible when they put Danica on the cover, but not when they're critical of (or in this case, apathetic about) the IRL?

Just wanted to clarify things a bit here.

I think SI, as a magazine has credible reporting regarding sports.

Speaking for myself, Mr. Johns, my comments were directed specifically at this opinion piece by author, Mike McAllister. Do you think Mike McAllister knows more about making money than Mr. Simmons?

[Hardscrabble]

So SI is credible when they put Danica on the cover, but not when they're critical of (or in this case, apathetic about) the IRL?

Just wanted to clarify things a bit here.

No, they weren't credible (IMHO) when they put her on the cover. It's not like she finished...well, even third (and on the podium for those that prefer podiums).

But then when was the last time that SI was a credible source of racing news.

And it would also appear that this particular writer seems to think that Gene is going out at each race, wearing his make-up, breathing fire and sticking out his tongue...and that's all there is to this arrangement.

And I would suggest that Gene does know something about promotion. I mean, KISS certainly wasn't one of the best bands of the '70's, but they certainly sold more than their fair share of records, concert tickets, ect.

[Defender]

So SI is credible when they put Danica on the cover, but not when they're critical of (or in this case, apathetic about) the IRL?

Just wanted to clarify things a bit here.

Reporters and/or columnists are credible when they come up with something original, don't take the lazy way out, and/or have managed to move their orientation beyond 1995, even if they are critical in their writing. Hope clarification is provided.

[Frank Capua]

So SI is credible when they put Danica on the cover, but not when they're critical of (or in this case, apathetic about) the IRL?

Just wanted to clarify things a bit here.

Just to clarify... it's not the shots he took at the IRL or the 500 that is the problem being complained about here... I think we've all gotten use to those sort of things by now and just ignore them...

It's the fact he doesn't seem to understand quite what is going on... or just too lazy to find out.

[HardPoint]

Lets not forget something here.

Gene Simmons success in MARKETING comes from KISS memorobilia.

The "Fans" are already sold and want the product, big difference there.

Are we going to call the man that marketed the Back Street Boys a genius too? Sure we should, they sold hundred of thousands of trinkets. Its an easy sell when the mass wants it.
Its an entirely different scenerio when your trying to sell air conditioners to eskimo's, just ask the guy responsible in the Adrenelin AmplIfieD marketing campaign.

[HardPoint]

What's the old saying, bad publicity is better than no publicity?

Those that believe that are the ones that struggle getting good publicity.

[numrounofan]

Did you know that the guy who invented the artifical heart was also the voice of Winney the Poo's Tigger?

[Frank Capua]

Did you know that the guy who invented the artifical heart was also the voice of Winney the Poo's Tigger?

Come in from left field and join us.

[JBaiza]

Lets not forget something here.

Gene Simmons success in MARKETING comes from KISS memorobilia.

The "Fans" are already sold and want the product, big difference there.

Who created the product?