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News from Bree
spymaster@theonering.net
Oct 24 2012, 11:44am
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Denny's, Middle-earth's Diner - 'Hoom, don't be hasty....'
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 As we revealed yesterday, the diner chain Denny's has secured a big Hobbit tie-in and is releasing a new, Hobbit menu plus collectible trading cards on November 6th. Staffer greendragon had the pleasure of visiting Denny's HQ to find out what this is all about, and she was surprised by what she discovered. Here's what she had to say:
OK, full disclosure here folks. I have never been to a Denny's. I didn't know what their food is like but I had my assumptions - fast food, all frozen, pre-cooked, processed rubbish, I thought... And then I heard they were going to have a Hobbit movie tie-in campaign. Hooommm. Sounds like orc mischief to me; slap a few gimmicky names on a few already-designed dishes and make a fast buck. Right? Turns out, I was wrong; read on to find out what I discovered yesterday....
Denny's are so proud of their new campaign that they took the bold step of inviting TheOneRing.net, along with other internet writers and bloggers - geeks and foodies! - to their headquarters to learn all about their plans for bringing Middle-earth into their restaurants. That's seven independent writers, many of whom may have arrived with the same doubts I had, all unleashed on the internet to say what they like about Denny's! As John Dillon, their Vice President of Marketing, remarked to me, 'We knew it could backfire. But we felt so confident in what we've created, we invited you in....'
 Truth is, I was surprised and impressed by what we learned, and by the 'unexpected journey' Denny's themselves have undertaken. First of all, a little perspective on this campaign: these promotions are not quickly nor lightly decided. Warner Bros. are very picky about who gets tie-ins to their movies; and for The Hobbit trilogy, Peter Jackson himself looks at proposals for partners. On Denny's side, this is not the first time they have had a movie tie-in - just last holiday season, they had an Arthur Christmas promotion, and past partnerships include Dreamworks Animation's Madagascar. They also turn down MANY invitations to work with movies. When Warner Bros. approached them about The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, however, they were excited. As Sharon Lykins, Senior Director of Product Development, told us, 'We saw it as a natural fit. We thought about that scene [at Amon Sul] where they cook sausages in a skillet - it's perfect for Denny's!'
Warner Bros. had their own reasons for being interested in Denny's. The movie studio wanted somewhere which provided a 'sit down atmosphere, an immersed experience'; a quick 'in and out' fast food venue was not what they were looking for. With two geeks in their test kitchen - both Lykins and Senior Manager, Corporate Chef Scott Richard are fans, and Richard remarked that creating a Hobbit menu was 'a dream come true' - Denny's accepted the challenge and set about convincing WB that they should indeed be the chain chosen for this promotion.
The test kitchen went to work, pondering, creating, and dismissing many ideas! 'We had a genuine excitement and interest in this! We wanted to build products that reflected hobbits ... to be true to the 'rustic' feel of the Shire,' said Lykins. 'All at Denny's felt very strongly that this HAS to be authentic. We wanted true fans to feel we had put some thought into it.' (VP Dillon told me, 'We knew if we only half did this, we'd screw it up - we had to go all out.') So naturally, they used mushrooms and 'po-tay-toes' in dishes; but they took it further than that. For example, they considered Lembas bread French toast - but decided that true Lembas bread would be too hard. Going back to the book, however, they noticed that Tolkien describes 'two beautiful round seed-cakes' in Bilbo's pantry - so 'Seed Cake French Toast' made it onto the menu. Those contents of Bilbo's pantry, listed by the Professor, were the source of many ideas; they were also inspired by the scene with trolls William, Bert and Tom, and created a milk shake with s'mores cookie pieces as the 'Lone-Lands Campfire Cookie Milk Shake'.
Many ideas were tried and dismissed - only the winning products, which would appeal both to Hobbit fans and to other diners in their restaurants, made the final list. Eventually, having convinced WB that their campaign had thought and attention to detail behind it, and was 'not just something on a cup,' Denny's won the rights to the tie-in campaign.
 Denny's knew, of course, that the promotion couldn't only be about food; many fans are also collectors, and an exclusive collectible is part of any good movie tie-in. For The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Denny's have created twelve trading cards - and interestingly, so far these are the ONLY trading cards of any kind which will be released for the first Hobbit movie! There are ten regular cards and two hard-to-find, exclusive cards. Anyone purchasing an entrée from the Hobbit menu receives a packet containing two cards and a coupon for future use at Denny's. The cards are very nicely designed - produced by Denny's themselves, but of course carefully checked and approved by WB - and will satisfy those hoarding instincts amongst eager fans.
 Next Denny's needed an advertising campaign - and their PR folks have done a stellar job! For the first time in their history, Denny's went with a 'teaser campaign' - and had a dwarvish expert from the movies write the runes for those billboards in Los Angeles! Other fun images include Thror's map wrapping silverware, and whipped cream on a smoothie, shaped like Gandalf's hat! The Hobbit menus are also a thing of beauty - wonderful pictures of Middle-earth, starting with Bag End, going up through rolling fields, to waterfalls, soaring eagles and way up on a snowy mountainside... a little Denny's, precariously perched! As well as these lovely menus, outlets will be decorated with signs and posters; servers will have buttons with the Hobbit acorn; and placemats will include four QR codes which can be scanned for exclusive content!
There is more to tell - and in a further post, I'll share some 'spoilers' about the exclusive content and some other little secrets which we gleaned throughout the day. Meanwhile, I can't finish this post without saying a word or two about THE FOOD! We were lucky enough to get a taste of all the new Hobbit menu items, and I was stunned by how good it all was. (I was also impressed by the kitchen and pantry - full of actual FOOD, not chemicals! Denny's burger, for example, contains nothing but meat and a little salt; they're always made fresh, so no need for preservatives.)
Believe me, I'm picky about my food, and if the trading cards were exciting but the food terrible, I'd write that here. I have no vested interest in Denny's; but the truth is, it was all delicious. The 'Hobbit Hole' cheddar bun contained a fried egg in the middle, and the yolk was still runny and perfect for dipping the round 'door' of my hobbit hole! The 'Shire Sausage' is a chunky, peppery, pork sausage - Denny's were looking for an English style sausage, and as a Brit who bemoans the lack of English sausages in the US, I can testify that they've come pretty close. The 'Lone-lands Campfire Cookie Milk Shake', which I mentioned above, was addictively delightful, and I'm still dreaming of the sinfully good 'Radagast's Red Velvet Pancake Puppies' - hushpuppies of red velvet cake with white chocolate chips, accompanied by cream cheese icing for dipping!
It being holiday season, the menu wouldn't be complete without turkey, and as well as a 'Dwarves' Turkey and Dressing Dinner', there is 'Gandalf's Gobble Melt' - a grilled turkey sandwich with stuffing and cranberry honey mustard sauce, with a side of gravy.
OK, this isn't health food. Sugary, cheesy, meaty and filling, it wouldn't be great for you to eat it every day - but then, I wouldn't eat my mother's fabulous roast dinners and steamed puddings every day, but that doesn't make them any less delicious! For comfort food or for an indulgent treat, Denny's menu is right on the money.
 So - America's diner becomes Middle-earth's diner; and in spite of my misgivings, it turns out to be a great idea. Creative, fun food, carefully planned in reference to the film AND to Tolkien's books; wonderful graphics and collectible cards; and all coming from a place of enthusiasm and passion on the part of Denny's themselves. Let me tell ya, if you want to feast like a hobbit, get down to your local Denny's from November 6th. Fans will love it; children will be excited; and Denny's regulars will enjoy some new treats. I know I'll be back for more of those red velvet 'puppies'....
(This post was edited by dernwyn on Oct 24 2012, 9:47pm)
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Kristin Thompson
Nargothrond
Oct 24 2012, 6:02pm
Post #2 of 59
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Having written a whole book about the LOTR phase of this franchise, I try to look upon these brand partnerships with an objective attitude. I have to admit, though, I was skeptical about this tie-in. Thanks to you and the other TORn staffers for investigating and giving a more hopeful view on the Denny's campaign. Can't quite approve of "Gandalf's Gobble Melt" as a name, though!
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easterlingchief1
Ossiriand
Oct 24 2012, 6:18pm
Post #4 of 59
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Great write up, greendragon. Thanks for the hard work.
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I think most people are fine with the tie-in as long as it doesn't affect the actual film in any way. Basically, unless at some point in the quest Bilbo and the Dwarves stop to grab a grand slam or a "Gandalf's Gobble Melt," everyone is going to otherwise forget this is a thing.
Also, at least's the Hobbit having tie-in with Denny's is not nearly as hypocritical and nonsensical as the Lorax having a tie in with Dennys. Or the Lorax having a tie in with Mazda for that matter. A film about a small person who enjoys eating having a promotional rite in with a fast food chain? Okay, not great but I can see the connection. A film based on an environmentalist fable having a tie in with a manufacturer of gas-guzzling SUVs? WHAT?
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duats
Hithlum
Oct 24 2012, 6:30pm
Post #5 of 59
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"Hobbit Hole Breakfast" doesn't exactly sound like a great way to start the day. And I could've sworn the "Lonely Mountain Treasure" meal was dog food.
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greendragon
Sr. Staff
Oct 24 2012, 6:42pm
Post #6 of 59
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Yeah, the names aren't great - I kept thinking it was 'Gandalf's Goblin Melt'! And I'm not sure about Radagast's Puppies either...  But what really did impress - and surprise! - me was the care and attention Denny's have put into this campaign. Their staff are as excited as any other geeks, and they deserve credit for going all out to try to honour the film (AND the book) and to create something fans would enjoy. Hey, any big movie is going to have merchandise and franchise which is questionable to the film's artistic integrity - but at least Denny's have really tried to do something sincere with 'The Hobbit'. 
'There are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of my fridge...'
'You never know what will happen next, when once you get mixed up with TORnsibs and their friends.'
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Shelob'sAppetite
Doriath
Oct 24 2012, 7:21pm
Post #7 of 59
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This is so horribly tacky and tasteless
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Yet also morbidly hilarious.
Tolkien is not just rolling, he's kicking and screaming.
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geordie
Dor-Lomin
Oct 24 2012, 7:53pm
Post #8 of 59
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.. I thought it was just me who felt that way. Fortunately, there are no Denny's in the UK - at least, not as far as I know.
.
(This post was edited by geordie on Oct 24 2012, 7:54pm)
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Otaku-sempai
Elvenhome
Oct 24 2012, 7:59pm
Post #9 of 59
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I am impressed with your research, greendragon...
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And with the amount of thought and effort put into this promotion. I hope that you didn't gain too much weight on your tour!
'There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world.' - Gandalf the Grey, The Fellowship of the Ring
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Kristin Thompson
Nargothrond
Oct 24 2012, 8:03pm
Post #10 of 59
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This was something very common with the LOTR franchise
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Many of the people working at the licensed companies making the various tie-in products were Tolkien fans before getting involved with the film. Not that that prevented tackiness from seeping in in some cases. Still, when one realizes that the official fan club and The Lord of the Rings Fan Club Official Movie Magazine were licensed products, it's pretty impressive what a good job some of the people at those companies did. (As I have said before, I wish there was such an excellent magazine published in relation to The Hobbit.)
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Moahunter
Nargothrond
Oct 24 2012, 10:43pm
Post #11 of 59
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that's why the Hobbit menu for the Premiere reception will be flown in from the US.
We know how to do things with style and good taste down here.
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entmaiden
Forum Admin
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Oct 24 2012, 11:05pm
Post #12 of 59
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I don't get to Denny's often, but this idea makes me want to go and check out the new menu items. It seems like they put a lot of thought in to the food, and Denny's does do good breakfasts.
Thanks, greendragon, for "taking one for the team" 
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sevilodorf
Dor-Lomin
Oct 24 2012, 11:55pm
Post #13 of 59
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Denny's, like all franchises, has some locations that are well run and others that are just mediocre but it usually a dependable place to get a meal. Will have to check it out during the promotion.
Fourth Age Adventures at the Inn of the Burping Troll http://burpingtroll.com
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Oct 25 2012, 1:59am
Post #14 of 59
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*applause* Wow... I had no idea
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that Dennys would do the thing right! Your review and description of your experience (AND FOOD) has whetted my appetite! I can't wait to have a stab at the skillet meal pictured in your post! It looks delicious and so hobbity!
This is such a new idea for a tie-in as it relates to everything we experienced with LotR. I'm thrilled with the "newness" feeling I get from this. I'm so excited with everything they're doing and with your description of it, I actually played with the idea of getting a part-time job WORKING at a Denny's so I can get a menu, button, acorn, cards and FOOD (you had me at milk shake, btw)!!! I have been a waitress in my past (3 years at a Big Boy), so I could do this... couldn't I?
*contemplates* nahhh... I just be patronizing ;)
Thanks so much for this, greendragon! What a delightful and TEASER post! I can't wait for part 2 :)
huggles
I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world.
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Sunflower
Doriath
Oct 25 2012, 2:08am
Post #15 of 59
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There is no way I can support this.
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to me, it only means something when you are an OBJECTIVE judge. This is like when the studios aggressively courted Harry Knowles with all kinds of things, and he "crossed over to the other side"when he broke the fourth wall, as it were.
I wouldn't care if you were being courted by Rachel Ray for a promotion for a The Four Seasons Hotel tie-in. Or Denny's, it makes no difference.
When you're there in *HQ* on behalf of THE STUDIO, OF COURSE they are going to be at ther best, and wine you and dine you, literally. They'll trot out the good stuff, and promise you the sun, moon and stars. This is all very carefully crafted like a Presidetial campaign, and I find this STUNT--just as tacky as anything we see on TV from our candidates these days.
TORN and other fan blogs have ABSOLUTELY NO BUSINESS being more than the OBJECTIVE RECIPIENTS of an ad campaign, whether it's for food, toys, computers, or an $8000 WETA bust. Advertising for it on the website like we've been doing, that's absolutely fine.Put an ad in your magazine, fine. If they send you a sample of their product and ask you to write it up, fine. They have to put up with whatever you write, though. if you want to hype Denny's on the Net, fine. But no more.
And I suppose you had to pay your own airfare and hotel stay and transport for this thing? OH NO. I'M SURE IT was ALLLLL ON THE COMPANY TAB. WHEN YOU"RE TRAVELING ON COMPANY DOLLAR< THEN THERE" NO WAY YOU CAN BE OBJECTIVE. THEY WANTED YOU PHYSICALLY THERE ON *THEIR* TERRITORYJUST SO YOU WOULD DO THE KIND OF OBSQUIOUS WRITE-UP YOU JUST DID. GOD FORBID TORN, *THE* "BIG* WEBSITE, DOESN'T TOE THE COMPANY LINE.
When this happens, you've crossed the line. And I don't care if Peter Jackson himself steps in to defend you in an editorial, it makes no difference. if Peter Jackson doesn't see the value and meaning of fan sites keeping their distance and maintaining their quasi-independence (over the last decade, they've given up just about everything else) then I've lost respect for him as well. He has truly become Peter Lucas.
Does anybody still know the meaning of the word independence?
There's a BIG DIFFERENCE with being friends with Peter and being invited on a film set, and going to a corporate headquarters and being wined and dined by a corporation. (And I;m sure the Company took some lovely pictures of you, Greendragon; I remember you from Howard Shore's presentation at the Radio City TTT moot 3 yrs ago; you're the perfect choice for a coprorate advertising team....young, and very photogenic if I may say. The Denny's marketing team were slavering with excitement, I'm sure they wanted you to do TV spots. Even if they didn't ask you, I'm sure thats what Mr Marketing Honcho thought in his heart of hearts.
What's next, Greendragon? What other revelations have we in store? What other TORn staffers will be *actively" falling all over themsleves to kiss corporate behind?
But OH NO, TORN doesn't do that sort of thing. We're OBJECTIVE. "we are here to observe and record."
The place for fan bloggers to pass judgement for a campaign like this, and write about it on their websites, is a trip to their local Denny's, where they can observe the results AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, WHERE IT REALLY COUNTS.
**AFTER THE PROMO BEGINS**, *when the film comes out.* Where a Torn staffer can be the equivalent of a magazine food critic, and pass proper judgement on not only the food, but the ENTIRE DINING EXPERIENCE(fellowship being so important to us hobbits. If Dwnny's was really serious about this, it wouldn't e just aobut the food and the product.
That way, if proper objectively were observed, we'd get a REAL OPINION, if Denny's were really serious about this.
But if the ALL the fan bloggers (and don't you think a couple were troubled by this concept, of being more than objective observers) are not doing their jobs of remaining AT A CORRECT DISTANCE from the corporate hucksterism, and instead allwing themselves to hop on the WB bandwagon the same way Harry Knowles did, then what hope is there left for sites like TORN to function as what they should be--OBJECTIVE OBSERVERS AND JUDGES OF POP CULTURE PRODUCT?
Don't you all see? First it starts with something innocent, like food. Then being successful with that, winning over the staff, how much else of TORN and other sites will slowly be "absorbed"? Before you know it, we'll all be cheerleaders. And not only of the merch. If this kind of "wooing the bloggers" continues,
Last time, TORn was an OBJECTIVE OBSERVER of the Burger King tie-in, and did its proper job of giving an honest opinion AFTER THE FILM CAME OUT. It didn't become "part of the coroporate system" by actually HOPPING INTO BED with the corporate huckseters.
THIS IS WHAT THE STUDIOS ARE DEATHLY AFRIAD OF--THAT TOLKIEN FANS ARE HONEST AND DON"T GIVE A DAMN WHAT OTHER THINK--THEY WILL SPEAK THIER MIND. IT IS NOT OUR DUTY TO "HELP" THEM IN ANY WAY. WE ARE POLITE TO THEM, WE ACCOMODATE THEIR WISHES *IF* WE ARE ALLOWED TO KEEP OUR DISTANCE. WE ARE FRIENDLY AND SUPPORTIVE. BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE THAT ELEMENT OF BEING AFRAID OF THE BLOGGERS. IT's HEALTHY IN THE LONG RUN. FOR THE BUSINESS. FOR HOLLYWOOD. FOR EVERYBODY.
WB is VERRRY GOOD at shutting down content that it doesn't want on TORN, they police us all the time, but BOY OH BOY when they want you folks to do SOMETHING FOR THEM, they NEED you to win the fans over..what did they do to make you hop intp bed with them?
Don't you see? First, The Hobbit. Then, other films. THen, it'll become a blueprint for the future! And before you know it, it'll be a tradition, and fan sites will no longer be "outside the system", and you staff will finf yourelf apologizing to the studio for people with "outside opinions" like me.
DISTANCE and OBJECTIVITY--that's what it's all about. TORN has already willingly given up its freedom and scrappy rebel ethos that founded the site, and other fansites have too over th years, as they have allowed themsleves to be become PASSIVE RECIPIENTS of studio policy regarding content and more. What else is there for us to give up?
The batt;e to get "the Hobbit" made is over. The battle for the soul of TORN (and all serious fan-run sites of pop culture) has begun.
And to think this morning I was on the verge of supporting this!
And no, I won't apologive for the "yelling." This is my only post on this, for it makes me sick. Let me get a warning; fine. Bit don't worry, this is my last say on this.
(This post was edited by Sunflower on Oct 25 2012, 2:18am)
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
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Oct 25 2012, 2:24am
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I read your report aloud to Geeky Son, and he's ready to head to the local Denny's as soon as the menu's available!
Thank you for the terrific report, greendragon, I look forward to "part 2"!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I desired dragons with a profound desire"
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Ataahua
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Oct 25 2012, 2:25am
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I think that is quite unfair to Greendragon.
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She has done other fans a service - especially those, like me, who aren't in the US and don't know what a Denny's experience is like - to find out for herself what kind of product Denny's will be serving up for this promotion. Because she gave her own time to do this, I have a better idea of what kind of brand is being associated with The Hobbit films.
Experiencing something for yourself and then writing about it is a type of first-person journalism that both blogs and mainstream media undertake and I'm glad to see TORN getting involved in it.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."
"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.
Ataahua's stories
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Moahunter
Nargothrond
Oct 25 2012, 2:31am
Post #18 of 59
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You sum up exactly what I've been feeling for some time.
I've copied and pasted your post just in case it mysteriously disappears.
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Moahunter
Nargothrond
Oct 25 2012, 2:39am
Post #19 of 59
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One of my daughters tells me we are lucky. There are Denny's in NZ, and that includes Wellington.
Nothing on the website about Hobbit meals yet.
I can't wait.............
Correction: Yes I can, til' hell freezes over.
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Magpie
Elvenhome
Oct 25 2012, 2:58am
Post #20 of 59
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If 15 of us tried to review anything we'd likely get at least 8 different opinion and quite possibly 15.
I am often one who tends to take a more negative outlook on things that than majority. I ran across an old email where I called myself Eeyore.
But that doesn't mean that I think people who have more positive experiences are 'kissing ass'. I wouldn't think of slamming them and accusing them of lying to serve some corrupt purpose. Unless I had strong evidence to believe such a thing about someone, I would not accuse them. I would not accuse them publicly. And I would not accuse them in such an inflammatory and over dramatic way.
Greendragon said, "Believe me, I'm picky about my food, and if the trading cards were exciting but the food terrible, I'd write that here." I have no reason not to take someone at their word and greendragon has never given me any reason not to take her at her word.
I'm not sure whether you say you can't support going to Denny's or you can't support TORn giving a positive review.
You don't have to support Denny's. I'm not sure I'm going. You don't have to support TORn. But I'm not sure greendragon deserved this manner of response.
We are all just blokes looking for a little community. We are all human. We all hurt when someone attacks us. Why would we attack each other like this?
LOTR soundtrack website ~ magpie avatar gallery
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DarkJackal
Nargothrond
Oct 25 2012, 4:52am
Post #21 of 59
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Not sure if they could have done better
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Perhaps these were the best names they came up with, but when you try to attribute dishes to characters that have little to no connection to the food in question, such as red velvet Radagast, it's going to sound ridiculous. Maybe I'm just missing the genius of the Lone-lands Campfire Cookie Milkshake  I'm sure I would enjoy drinking it, but I don't really see how it is relevant to the Hobbit. I would rather they have skipped the titles and brainstormed a different way of making a Hobbit connection. Having a second-breakfast special, or some such, would have been plenty for me.
The Hobbit Photo Gallery
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Sunflower
Doriath
Oct 25 2012, 5:24am
Post #22 of 59
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I'm not opposed to promoting a Denny's tie-in or saying going to Denny's is a good or bad thing. (as already noted, I was going to support this thing, and even made suggestions on additional menu items.) Or giving a positive or negative review.
I'm not objecting to what was written per se, but how it was said...or more succinctly, HOW it came to be said.
I realize that post was a bit heated. I apologize for that. And of course I mean no disrepect for Greendragon, who I'm sure had a great time and did this on behalf of TORN with the best of all possible intentions; like I said, I even briefly met Greendragon at the Radio City FOTR moot (I'm sure she doesn't remember.) (You're a great singer too, if I remember correctly.) But I've taken courses in advertsing and I see where this could end up going in future...
I just find the fact that WB/Denny's roped a herd of pop culture bloggers to Denny's corporate HQ to actively "pre-empt" them into giving a positive review of a franchise tie-in very disturbing. Let's face it, Im sure that was the strategy; it couldn't be otherwise, when TORN famously criticized an LOTR tie-in. There is a big huge difference between reviewing a Denny's "Hobbit" meal from the comfort of your own local Denny's, where it should be reviewed, and going to corporate HQ, where you are expected to go home and give a great review. But still, that's not the point...even if the Burger King flap hadn't happened, small, independent pop culture bloggers IMO do NOT belong at a corporate ad strategy meeting/event for a tie-in for a film they will be writing detailed reviews of. There's a very fine line there and I still feel it had been crossed.
How can I say this? Let me try to put it this way. I don't know who all those other 6 or 7 bloggers are. But there aren't too many other big Tolkien fan wesites. So some of those sites I assume had to be just big generic pop culture websites in general. They report Tolkien news b/c even though that's not what they specialize in, but b/c it's the big thing and gets copy. And maybe b/c they were fans and were approached....they write about Tolkien when the films are out.
Say George Lucas hadn't retired, and this was 2005, he was promoting the last prequel. And Lucasfilm wanted you to do MCDonald's tie-in for Lucasfilm, and offered to fly you not to the Ranch, but to McDonald;s HQ,along with The Force.net staff. ...everyone on TORn would be screaming "Sell-out!" Or many of us who were Lucas fans, anyway (and I count myself a defender of him at times. Over certain things anyway.) maybe you wouldn't, hey, who could refuse such a trip? But again, the results...
Do you see where this might be going? they get TORn on a plane, the staffer is wined and dined, they have a great time and go home and write a great promo for something that hasn't been seen outside the coprporate kitchen (I'm sure Burger King's onion rings were great when cooked up for the Marketing staff too). But it's not only that...this expiriment has gone well, Wb thinks, so let's see if we can't woo them "behind the scenes" a little more, and then a little more....then maybe we can start promises of funding projects, or the site itself...."the slippery slope" to going where AICN went.
And ever so slowly, TORn begins to change...THAT"S what I'm afriad of. It's a valid question that absolutely needs answering, or at least discussing. Arethere circumstances where TORn is thus wooed and they think it prudent to refuse?
I realize this is very to the point, and it might make some uncomfortabl, but it's a question that needs to be discussed....where does objectivity begin (or end) and how is independence of thought slowly lost? How is Torn going to avoid going down that road? it is a very real danger, and before today I never even entertained that possibilty. Having places in the entertainment world that are places of dissent or at least places that haven't been absorbed means everything to me.
End of rant.I promise. I don't wish anyone evil. But I can be plainspoken at times (rare when they occur, but boy you remember them ).It's the Irish in me, I'm sure...
And one more thing: it wasn't Donry I quote in that post...but another sib who begins with D..sorry. Very late night, and trying to avoid hearing political discussions on the bus. I've taken to wearing headphones. regular music doesn[t cut it, so today I put on, no lie, the Star Wars soundtrack. John Williams scores always are good for drowing out unwelcome noise. The sooner this election is over, the better. TO non-US sibs, good God, you have NO IDEA....
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Silverlode
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Oct 25 2012, 6:28am
Post #23 of 59
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"might" is quite a different thing from "will". You see problems that might occur and where this might be leading. Ok, but equally it might not. Also, I am not sure whom you are addressing now, since you've already responded extensively to greendragon. If you are really concerned about how TORN is responding to such invitations, you would be better off having your say (politely and succinctly as you can) via the site contact form. Feedback is useful. Panic based on assumptions is not.
Silverlode
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Starling
Gondolin
Oct 25 2012, 7:24am
Post #24 of 59
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The one in Christchurch seems to be fairly famous for
[In reply to]
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greasy eggs.
My friend and his daughter were there in an earthquake (can't remember which one) and the lights fell in the fried eggs.
That is the sum total of my Denny's knowledge.
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sador
Gondolin
Oct 25 2012, 7:50am
Post #25 of 59
(806 views)
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In fact, I think this was a brilliant marketing gambit of Denny's - and it shows how much fansites have become serious and influential. Instead of the regular food-critics, get some of them for indirect promotion.
The only thing I don't understand is why you think fansites should be, or are, independant - and what that exactly means. But whatever. TORn seems to be quite independant, and it's good that you've called attention to our being a part of this PR move.
However, I expect that greendragon was aware of that, and that also that she really did enjoy herself. Good for her!
And your phrasing was somewhat harsh.
"Heart of the mountain...heart of Thorin...and now, Gandalf says "keep your heart up" . Anyone care to comment on the repeated use of that image?"
- weaver
The weekly discussion of The Hobbit is back. Join us in the Reading Room for A Thief in the Night!
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