Publicity

Surely, but now, people would have heard and comprehended the meaning of the phrase "No publicity is bad publicity". I mean, it pretty much speaks for itself doesn't it. If you don't like Brand X, you know that jumping up and down about it on TV and Radio will have people look at Brand X and think "I wonder...". Thus, Brand X has received a bucket load of free advertising, regardless of people saying it's crap or not.

So, scale it up. The Da Vinci Code. I love it - you all know I love it, and my beloved book is out on load at the moment. But anyway... First of all, a couple of authors "bend" the truth somewhat and claim Dan Brown nabbed all their ideas, plot and synopsis, and while he has made a fortune, they did not. So they sue him for plagiarism. Fair enough. The evidence was wobbly, and unsurprisingly, they lost - and ended up having to pay him a fortune in costs. Now, Opus Dei, a Catholic group, are demanding Sony Pictures slap a disclaimer on the movie (stating it's all a work of fiction) and ensure it's marked for Adults Only. Oooo-Kay.

Group demands Da Vinci Disclaimer

Catholic group Opus Dei has asked for a disclaimer to be placed on the film of The Da Vinci Code, released next month.

The organisation said it had written to Sony Pictures executives in Japan to ask the studio to emphasise that the film was a work of fantasy.

Based on Dan Brown's novel, The Da Vinci Code claims Jesus Christ married Mary Magdalene and had children, which was covered up by the Catholic Church.

Sony has said it is not a religious film, and is not meant to criticise.

"Some media have written that Sony is examining the possibility of putting at the beginning of the film an announcement to clarify that it is a work of fantasy and that any similarity with reality is purely coincidental," Opus Dei said in a statement.

"Any such decision by Sony would be a gesture of respect toward the figure of Jesus, to the history of the Church, and to the religious beliefs of viewers."

Catholic criticism

Opus Dei, which critics say is secretive and ultra-conservative, has previously called for changes to be made to the film's final edit, and asked for it to be given adults-only ratings.

Other members of the Roman Catholic Church have also voiced their concern.

On Good Friday, the preacher for the papal household denounced theories which he said made huge profits in denying the teachings of the Catholic Church.

"Christ is still sold, but not any more for 30 coins, but to publishers and booksellers for billions of coins," Rev Raniero Cantalamessa said in a homily at St Peter's Basilica.

"No-one succeeds in stopping this speculative wave, that instead will register a boom with the imminent release of a certain film."

However, he did not refer to the film or Dan Brown's novel by name.

The movie, which stars Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou, will open this year's Cannes film festival on 17 May, two days before it is released worldwide.
Now, without giving away any key-plot elements, is Opus Dei pissed because they are shown as "The Bad Guys" in the book? But, Rome isn't happy with it, Opus Dei isn't happy, the Church of England isn't happy - but they make all these demands public, and wonder why SO many people are now interested in the movie. Same with the book - a lot of people hadn't even heard of it, not until the Vatican denounced the book, that there was no code, no trail and nothing else. All of a sudden, peoples ears prick up. Controversy, Press Releases, Law Suits - backwards and forwards until you can't help BUT to have heard about the book/movie.

So, Dan Brown was sued, but he won. So - you see the massive legal team, see and hear the evidence, and someone thinks "I could try that" and now someone ELSE is having a shot. Money - it does crazy things.

And it's been the same over many many years - bad publicity turning things around. Back in 1975 - a year that I didn't exist in and thus don't remember, but Alan and Minge probably do - a British comedian named Jasper Carrott relased a single called "Funky Moped" that shot up the charts and was an instant hit. However, "Funky Moped" was a dire, crap song. The B-Side however, was a track called "The Magic Roundabout" which was a parody of the kids TV show of the same name. This A-Side was so popular because of the bad press the B-Side received, everyone wanted a copy, and all of a sudden, an amusing comedian from Birmingham became a chart sensation!

Now that I've linked to most of the web and rambled on (again), my point? With people and religious groups and art museums all releasing press releases and suing people and generally making a hoo-har about something, don't they realise they are only drumming up MORE interest in that matter? And by me dicussing it, does that mean I should get paid for advertising... Maybe I should sue! hehehe

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