We had this discussion at the Weblogs, Inc. meetup last night. As expected the issue is now hitting the blogosphere and people are crying foul. I don't blame them. A tshirt? Sure, why not. Designer clothes, watches, guitars, and gadgets? Ummm... not good.
Although, my guess is that the sponsors are probably pushing this, not the celebs. A big selling point of getting sponsorships to events like Live8 is that you get to give the celebrities your product to play with. If just one or two celebs wind up using the product in public that gives the sponsors huge value. So, maybe there is some way to justify this as a reward for the sponsors who are paying for today.
However, my ethical radar says if you have to explain an ethics question to this extent it's probably not ethical. It just feels wrong.
Donate the bags... donate your time... make money another day.
Should celebs at Live8 accept $16,000 gift bags?
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. Yeah I'm with you on this one. Goodies bags are not for today.
Posted at 3:35PM on Jul 2nd 2005 by Conrad Quilty-Harper
3. They could handle it like some celebs have done in the past and auction the bags off on Ebay to raise money for the charity they were promoting in the first place. And Ebay could waive their fees...
Posted at 11:36AM on Dec 18th 2005 by Brian Alvey
4. Hey, Jason! Honestly, I couldn't care less. Considering this was likely the only way to get some of the sponsors of this massive event to kick in, I am all for it. It's not the same as gift bags for press at Sundance or payola. If the organizers had said no to the gift bags, it's very possible that many sponsors might not have signed on.
As long as the organizers aren't using money that would have gone to the cause to pay for presents for performers and presenters, I don't care. It takes nothing away from the day if Billy Joe or Jay-Z get a guitar and auction it off or stick it in a closet, IMHO.
Posted at 4:21PM on Jul 2nd 2005 by Mark Rabinowitz
5. E-Bay the gift bags!
Posted at 5:09PM on Jul 2nd 2005 by Deb Smith
6. I do agree that E-Bay in the bags would be great. In fact, E-Bay should create an entire Live-8 area. Bands can autograph their goodies and auction them off for Make Poverty History, One.org, Amnesty, etc.
Posted at 5:19PM on Jul 2nd 2005 by Mark Rabinowitz
7. This is about giving not taking. The bags should
be given away. The sponsors will have no idea what happens to the bags and shouldn't care. The bags should be given away for other causes and there are many. I think that most of those stars involved will do the right thing. They will follow
their hearts.IMHO PS If we all did 1 thing each day to help someone guess this whole world would be a better place,Peace Vaile
Posted at 6:35PM on Jul 2nd 2005 by Vaile
8. Yes, the issue of the gift bags is loaded with irony; I see that all of their hearts are in the right place, and I trust that the performers will do what is right and ethical in this case - generate money from those goodies and give it back to the people who need such aid the most.
And while I am passionate about the cause, and was very much emotional earlier today at the thought that this "awareness" event might indeed, make a difference, I still can't help but think about not only those goodie bags (that seem to stifle this worthy cause), but also the fact that no money will be generated from these 8 shows - hence, no money will be given to the people in Africa. I honestly hope that the individuals will take upon themselves (now that we are "aware" of this enormous problem) and give money to this cause, and do their part (whatever that may be, but make a contribution)to end poverty.
My fear, however, is that this might not be further pursued (people try to empathize, realize "wow, that sucks" and then usually go back to their daily routines w/out doing much about it). I don't think "awareness" was ever really an issue - the world knows and has known about the many problems and manifestations of poverty. And while the intent behind the slogan "we don't need your money we need your voice" is understood, I think that we cannot afford not to ask for or take the money (i.e., not asking for $.50 or $1.00 at the door, or whatever the amount people can give; $1.00 doesn't make much difference to us, but it can make a difference between life or death to someone in Africa).
Blah,,... k - So let's stop this problem, once and for all!!!! In all seriousness, I do trust that we, the individuals, can take it now upon ourselves and affect change!!!
Posted at 8:12PM on Jul 2nd 2005 by Naida Zukic
9. All I'm saying is, it really has no negative effect if they keep the bags but will have a positive effect if they auction them off. However, if someone wants to keep their gift bag, I have no problem with it. They did a great thing to donate their time and influence and if they wanna keep some face cream, a phone and a diamond tiara in the shape of the Taj mahal, it's no skin off of my nose.
Posted at 8:11PM on Jul 2nd 2005 by Mark Rabinowitz
10. Er, no, it's not exactly making poverty history, is it? It does show the whole campaign up as the short-lived farce it is, though.
Posted at 10:51AM on Jul 4th 2005 by palmer_eldritch
11. Saw the events of Live 8 and it was GREAT.. WE NEED MORE MORE MORE KINDA OF EVENTS..
THANKS TO ALL OF THE MEDIA COVERAGE AND FANS AND EMAILS..
DMYSTRO
http://dmystro.com
Posted at 1:09PM on Jul 5th 2005 by Dmystro.com
12. Goodie bags? What is this? A damn AWARD show?? If you can't peform from some sincere desire a/or INTRINSIC motivation, you are shaming the desperate and necessary INTENT of this event (do the artists need REWARDED and given REMINDERS as to just WHY they are performing at LIVE 8? Perhaps vanity and pride have taken a "backseat" to the attempts at eliciting ATTENTION and ACTION to the cause: MAKE POVERTY HISTORY!!
Posted at 1:39PM on Jul 4th 2005 by Michelle Dechesne-Monroe
1. Well it depends on the gift I guess, as a recording artist and producer I received gifts from lots of people, for me live aid is about giving something back to the fans and people who supported the cause and most importantly helping others....
All the Best
DMystro
www.dpeepsmobile.com
Posted at 1:32PM on Jul 4th 2005 by Dmystro.com