Palmer Events Center
Unwittingly?
RECEIVED Fri., Nov. 4, 2005
Dear Editor,
Modest Mouse and the Walkmen rolled through Austin last night [Nov. 3]. Sadly, many concertgoers unwittingly paid money to enter a venue showcasing a sleazy new marketing ploy for big tobacco.
Austin Music Hall opened its doors to music fans who thought they were going to see two well-established acts. Once inside, what they got was a sordid showcase of the Camel Cigarettes Sin City Tour.
Before entering the venue, the security force on hand repeatedly warned concertgoers not to bring cameras into the hall. The message was clear that there was something to hide in the building.
And it's no wonder. The "smoke-free" facility opened its doors to a slick, interactive marketing campaign to lure new smokers. The concert was a shameless ploy to promote the Camel brand.
With free cigarette giveaways and scantily clad burlesque dancers, Austin Music Hall was transformed into a Vegas-style wonderland of cigarettes and sex. Camel marketers worked hard to promote their brand – trapping many music fans to put up with its unsavory tactics waiting for the first signs of the Walkmen.
Once on stage, the bands did their best to support their corporate backers and seemed unfazed by their ties to big tobacco's new gimmick. It was a disappointing concert event that charged for music fans to enter a new world of corporate marketing.
Modest Mouse and the Walkmen rolled through Austin last night [Nov. 3]. Sadly, many concertgoers unwittingly paid money to enter a venue showcasing a sleazy new marketing ploy for big tobacco.
Austin Music Hall opened its doors to music fans who thought they were going to see two well-established acts. Once inside, what they got was a sordid showcase of the Camel Cigarettes Sin City Tour.
Before entering the venue, the security force on hand repeatedly warned concertgoers not to bring cameras into the hall. The message was clear that there was something to hide in the building.
And it's no wonder. The "smoke-free" facility opened its doors to a slick, interactive marketing campaign to lure new smokers. The concert was a shameless ploy to promote the Camel brand.
With free cigarette giveaways and scantily clad burlesque dancers, Austin Music Hall was transformed into a Vegas-style wonderland of cigarettes and sex. Camel marketers worked hard to promote their brand – trapping many music fans to put up with its unsavory tactics waiting for the first signs of the Walkmen.
Once on stage, the bands did their best to support their corporate backers and seemed unfazed by their ties to big tobacco's new gimmick. It was a disappointing concert event that charged for music fans to enter a new world of corporate marketing.
Micah Sagebiel
[Louis Black responds: The ad for the show in this paper at least included "Camel Casino Presents," "A Camel Event," and the Surgeon General's Warning at the bottom of the ad which would seem to be something of a giveaway. Big Tobacco is the current Boogeyman of Choice but come on, this seemed pretty clear-cut. And the Austin Music Hall, usually at the talent's request, rarely lets cameras in for any show.]
