So here we are Christmas Day. Great stuff going on around me all day. Watching the clock so to put on the TV for Top of the Pops – because that is the Christmas tradition. We already know that X-Factor finalist didn’t make the No 1 spot, but that shouldn’t stop it from being the one hour of TOTP a year that we enjoy.
Jon Morter’s Facebook campaign was an interesting one and his short-lived point was successfully made. But has he ruined Sony BMG? Has he ruined Simon Cowell? Has he ruined Joe McElderry’s future career? No, no, and definitely no! If anything Morter has succeeded in boosting the fortunes of the first two, as record sales were boosted for both sides of the race through his Facebook campaign. As for Joe, he loses out on the coveted accolade of a Christmas No 1, but will probably be No 1 for the New Year. He is already no1 in Ireland. He won’t earn any more or any less, because that’s how this machine works. Rage Against The Machine probably won’t make any money out of this either – they probably sold or mortgaged all future rights to their back catalogue years ago.
So who is the winner here and what’s the point? Morter’s point was to scupper the X-Factor’s assertion that it can produce a Christmas No 1. Well he succeeded there, but that’s where it ends. You don’t have to hold the number one spot to be successful or make money, it’s the total weeks in the charts and more importantly total sales that count (ask Robbie Williams about his best selling hit Angels!). UK charity Shelter is a winner - £64,000 raised for their benefit through the campaign. Fair enough.
The real winner has to be Facebook - the power of social networking to influence consumer behaviour being admirably demonstrated. Viral marketing spreading the message abundantly, getting serious airtime.
And, even with my unrefined and unmannerly affection for punk, hard rock, and rap, The Climb is the better song.
30th DECEMBER UPDATE:
Joe McElderry is No1 in the UK Top 40 for the New Year!
what a load of shit!
The fact that you wrote this on Chistmas day shows you are a peanut!
You obviously missed the point of Xmas as well as the campaign.
Enjoy your 2 followers!
Freedom of speech is a wonderfull thing, it allows stupid people to show how stupid they are too the whole world!
you completley missed the point of the campaign, the xfactor judges mistakenly assumed that the christmas no 1 was a prize to be given to the xfactor winner, the silent majority set the record straight this year
The Climb is nonsense and it just shows those who wanted it as number one to be one of the ever increasing zombie hordes, brain-washed and anaesthetized by reality TV and the lazy, cheap and easy option. An opiate for the masses indeed!
you just don't get it do you... idiot.
You just completely dicredited yourself in my eyes with that last sentence 'The Climb is the better song' and do you know what I don't even HATE Hannah Montana singing it LOL,as it actually means something personal to her but the way the X-Factor works really needs cmodified drastically if it wants to survive and stay on top.
You don't really get the point that it wasnt about making anyone else money,it was about reclaimimg a peoples' tradition and helping music and showing the X-Factor where the power really lies and that a huge proportion of people are getting heartily sick of it and its CULTURAL monopoly.
You did touch on ONE thing that rang true and that was the power of Facebook but NOT,simply as you alluded to,as an effective commercial tool but mostly about it's ability to bring people together regardless of status,wealth,gender,religion,ethnicity e.t.c,all around the WORLD in common goals and in discussion about the issues and the future of society that we can all participate in and perhaps FINALLY help to change. :o) That is the real story of hope here and,in fact,a very Christmassy one at that ;o)
You just completely discredited yourself in my eyes with that last sentence 'The Climb is the better song' and do you know what I don't even HATE Hannah Montana singing it LOL,as it actually means something personal to her but the way the X-Factor works really needs modified drastically if it wants to survive and stay on top.
You didn't really get the point that it wasn't about making anyone else money,it was about reclaiming a peoples' tradition and helping music and showing the X-Factor where the power really lies and that a huge proportion of people are getting heartily sick of it and its CULTURAL monopoly.
You did touch on ONE thing that rang true and that was the power of Facebook but NOT,simply as you alluded to,as an effective commercial tool but mostly about it's ability to bring people together regardless of status,wealth,gender,religion,ethnicity e.t.c,all around the WORLD in common goals and in discussion about the issues and the future of society that we can all participate in and perhaps FINALLY help to change. :o) That is the real story of hope here and,in fact,a very Christmassy one at that ;o)
I think it is a wonderful blog...................................................................................NAAAAATTTT
What a fucking retard.
Paul,
You're from Dublin so I don't expect you to understand the sanctity of the UK Christmas No. 1. You would probably be best served writing about your flailing economy or the contents of the Ryan Report and leave commentary on UK news to people who live there.
Mark, Belfast.
Paul,
Killing in the name of, is a song that many teenagers loved during the ninties. It supported many stereotypical groups of that era. Today, Jon Morter recreated a battle that would shock the UK and many people overseas. Morter is now seen as a hero and well known all because of starting a group on a social network that many dormant people can realte to.
Dayle, Lancashire
Response to the first 11 comments to "So here we are Christmas Day" blog from the author. Thanks for all your contributions and visits so far.
Nick – Yes, but it’s my load of shit. Many thanks!
Info – Great original name! What I do on Christmas day is my business and my choice. I even know people who work on Christmas day to keep your Christmas enjoyment running smoothly. What kind of nuts are they? I may have only two followers but a helluva lot of people read this blog!
Dale – indeed, and the comments section lets people like you post worthless responses! TVM!
Sadaku – I’d say you are a real individual and original type – yes you and all your like-minded friends!
Rami – Oh yes I do get it. And I get loads more, as well! And then I get some.
Scott – Oh boy. I like it that you don’t hate Hannah Montana, but she is a fictional character played by an actress Miley Cyrus. And when she sang the song for the movie she was, er, acting! But I will give you this, she did sing it with passion – I should know, I paid to see her sing it in the 02.
Scott – thanks for posting your comment twice.
Steven – I think your comment was wonderful..............NAAAATTT!
Neil – What a fucking retard I may be, but at least I am fucking rich!
Drummerboykyle – Oh dear. You know nothing about me other than I live in Dublin. You know nothing of my birthright, my nationality, my beliefs or my power. Don’t play what seems to be the bigoted race card here.
Chris – Yeah, right. Like I said, let the market forces prevail. If the market can be influenced through facebook or Jon’s campaign, so be it. But the market forces will prevail.