There are so many important stories that I can be blogging about. The Supreme Court Decision on Obama's healthcare plan, for example, and how certain cable networks got the news wrong at first. There is also the Ann Curry affair (most people know by now that she was replaced as co host of NBC Today). I tweeted yesterday that it was painful to watch how big media very publicly eats its own.
But, no, today I feel strangely, inexplicably drawn to… the brow. The unibrow, that is (it is Friday, dammit, and I want to write about something fun).
The NY Post wrote yesterday about University of Kentucky basketball star Anthony Davis' efforts to trademark phrases related to his unibrow (yes, I read many papers but turn to the Post for coverage of such critical stories). According to the paper:
Soon-to-be-pro basketball star Anthony Davis… is raising eyebrows with his unique marketing campaign. [He] has applied for trademark rights to “Fear the Brow” and “Raise the Brow,” in hopes of profiting from his odd facial trait.
“I don’t want anyone to try to grow a unibrow because of me and then try to make money off of it,” Davis told CNBC. “Me and my family decided to trademark it because it’s very unique.”
I am a bit speechless at the audacity and boldness of this move (yes, "hope" has nothing on it). Since the right words are hard to find, maybe it would be easier to express them in verse:
- So boldly sits atop his head
- Defines his brand, he has said
- A woolly line, of ample size
- Connects the dots above his eyes
- Caterpillars swoon, a Fuller Brush
- Almost anyone else would blush
- "Fear the Brow!" Davis says
- Use that phrase, he'll sue your ass
OK, enough fun, now back to business. Marketers, celebrities HELLLOOOO!! I know the Supreme Court's decision was pretty much a landmark, but if this thing with Davis stands, that is nothing. Just think of the opportunities in licensing, promotions, etc.
What other accidents of personal grooming can be legally protected? Who else in sports or entertainment has quirky personal identifiers that they can exploit? E.g. Dog The Bounty Hunter ("Mind the Mullet")?
Guys (and gals), I am just a tech PR guy, not a celebrity PR and branding specialist, a little help here, any other ideas?
