Comments on: Magic Johnson Criticized for MJ KFC Story

By: Franchise Pick Blog Posts: July, 2009 : Franchise Pick - Picking the Perfect Franchise

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:14:34 +0000

[...] Paid Plug at Michael Jackson Memorial? 6 Magic Johnson Criticized for MJ KFC Story 10 Michael Jackson, Magic Johnson & KFC 8 CHIPOTLE Promotes Food Inc. Documentary HUDDLE HOUSE: [...]

By: Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:59:34 +0000

People, let’s all calm down now. Why don’t we all go to Kentucky Fried Chicken, and talk this out over a bucket of delicious Original Recipe!

By: Nuka

Nuka — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:45:16 +0000

:)) yes, humanity, that’s exactly what this story’s about. I’m sure the KFC marketing people are now counting their brand awareness only thinking about the humanity in the story :)

By: Nerissa Hedlind

Nerissa Hedlind — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:11:12 +0000

I don’t think Magic would lie in such occasion. RIP MJ!

By: Charles PIsano

Charles PIsano — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:42:00 +0000

Leave Michael Johnson alone. I think the story is real. I like the story and do not care what anyone else things. What would Michael say I think he would have said it was just fine. He would have appreciated the realism in the story and the humanity in it all. This is all what Micahel really wanted anyway to be just another joe and Johnson story reflected what Michael wanted most to be humanized and not idealized.

By: Kilgore T

Kilgore T — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:37:08 +0000

Wasn’t Al Sharpton leading a boycott of KFC a while back? but now…

Now Oprah does the big Grilled Chicken Giveaway on her show. (Rip-off bait and switch fiasco)

And Magic Johnson gives them perhaps the biggest product placement in history.

Concidence? Or has KFC been courting the African American elite?

I doubt it’s luck when business this big is involved.

By: Syn13

Syn13 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:12:31 +0000

What qued me into it being an endorsment deal is the beginning use of “Grilled Chicken”, then following up 4 times with bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. KFC is currently promoting thier new “Grilled Chicken”.

By: Syn13

Syn13 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:10:31 +0000

Magic might have a secret deal with KFC. He may have shared what he was thinking of talking about and some connected agent may have negotiated an endorsement deal. And if it later leaks that he had a deal, Magic could say it was a true story and he is contributing the money to some charity …

By: Nuka

Nuka — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:02:52 +0000

Ok, I admit I had one fact wrong… it was early not late 90s. But the argument still stands. The ad proves some sort of work cooperation in the past between Magic and KFC. I think that’s enough of a proof. Other contracts as such show that big corporations don’t just use the star for an ad, but will turn him/her into an endorser with any occasion possible, to get a higher effect. Also, I saw that in another article you were saying that a super-star of this caliber and a very powerful multinational wouldn’t go at this level… let’s think a bit at the economic benefits:

The audience was one of the biggest you can get. The credibility (as you can see, we’re debating here) would’ve been far bigger than in an ad or in a much more obvious remark (such as the one Elson suggests). They’ve got communications people there, it wasn’t him who had the idea… of course they tried to make it subtle.

Needless to say, my vote still stays for: clear product placement. Thanks for opening the debate anyway.

RIP MJ, it’s a pity his loss is shadowed by such mercantile events

By: Elson T.

Elson T. — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:36:05 +0000

Oh come on, it was sincere. Even the Jackson brothers were giggling before the punch line because they knew he was gonna bring up the story. Besides, Magic’s contract with KFC expired years ago, he has absolutely no obligation to pitch them anymore.

Now if he said “KFC’s Hot & Spicy Recipe Chicken” then, okay, yes it would be a plant.