http://www.bentonpaul.com/
http://www.amiemiriello.com/

There are 2 new dates added to Davidà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s U.S. tour, March 23rd in Pocatello, ID, and March 24 in St.George, UT. Thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s no word yet on whoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be opening for him at those venues.

Ford’s ‘American Idol’ music videos continue, despite challenges

The economic downturn and some unfortunate marketing research following last year’s “American Idol” season didn’t discourage Ford from creating more American Idol music videos/commercials this season. The first one airs during the “American Idol” broadcast on Wednesday night.

Amid harrowing times for the Detroit Three, tightening advertising budgets have not yet forced Ford to bail from its 10-season, reported $25-million-plus sponsorship deal with Fox’s “American Idol” show.

This despite the negative press that sprung up at season end last year, sparked by an Advertising Age article by author Martin Lindstrom citing a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“neuromarketingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  research study.

The study, which measures brain activity of consumers while watching advertising messages, showed a positive impact for both AT&T and Coke brand messaging on “Idol,” but Ford got a negative score. The reason cited was that the automaker’s music videos seemed like random interruptions to the show.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Coke and AT&T were integrated within the flow of the show, but Fordà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s impressions lacked a clear purpose,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Lindstrom wrote. He claimed that if the products were created as a part of the story line of the show, consumers would accept it. If not, consumers’ brains would simply erase the information.

But the moment Kris mentioned his wife in the intro package, their squeals of adolescent delight turned on a dime into gasps, groans and even a few squeals of adolescent outrage, and though I didn’t see it, I daresay Kris’ wife probably began to fear for her person. That’s certainly what Simon picked up on when he told Kris he shouldn’t have brought out his wife so soon

That was funny and probably true.

I think Slezak is losing it if he liked Megan’s “Rockin Robin”. Yikes.

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/03/71687/index.html

Did yà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢all know that Mattà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not actually white, but mixed race? Read from Idolchatter that heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s actually 1/4 black. From last nightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s clips, seems his mom is half black.

Yeah, that’s why I used the term (sorta) white. LOL. They keep trying to peg him there, but clearly it doesn’t quite fit. And then the guy wants to be Coldplay for goodness sake! Heh. Poor Matt is not they pigenhole-ing type it seems.

http://twitter.com/RCAMusic

Kris and Mat were both good, but they are both in the already crowed à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“soulful (sorta) white guyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  demo and that could leave them vulnerable.

Did y’all know that Matt’s not actually white, but mixed race? Read from Idolchatter that he’s actually 1/4 black. From last night’s clips, seems his mom is half black. Anyway, just thought that was interesting, since he’s been pegged as the “white soul” guy. Wonder if he considers himself white– I have a couple of friends who are mixed race, and are pretty adamant about calling themselves mixed race rather than black or white. Anyway, just a random aside. I hope Jasmine and Jorge go home, even though Jasmine’s the only one I really hope goes home.

If I have to pick a bottom 3, I think its gonna include Kris and Jasmine. slot #3 could go to a number of people.

Hmmm… I don’t think Kris will go bottom 3. Not yet at least. He’s too adorable for that. And he was rather good last night.

Jasmine, Jorge and Michael are my guesses, with Jasmine and Jorge going home.

Anybody got going home predictions?

My wild guesses:

voting block to themselves, have nothing to worry about this early: Lil, Megan, Jorge

strong performances combined with good fanbase should keep them safe: Danny, Adam, Alexis, Allison

Panic in the fanbase effect, should stay: Anoop

various stages of meh – could spell trouble: Sarver, Jasmine, Scott, Kris, Matt

America is not voting out the blind guy in round 1, so Scott should be fine. Sarver should have enough blue collar joe love to pulllit through. Kris and Mat were both good, but they are both in the already crowed “soulful (sorta) white guy” demo and that could leave them vulnerable. Out of the two, I would put my money on Matt pulling ahead of Kris. Kris has lots of competition in the “boy to crush on” department and didn’t really do all that great compared to the others in his category. Plus the wife could have been a buzzkill with the teen girls that were likely to be a big potential source of strength for him. Jasmine was not good enough to stand out.

If I have to pick a bottom 3, I think its gonna include Kris and Jasmine. slot #3 could go to a number of people.