So, I just got off the phone with a very nice guy who is part of the group that does national advertising campaigns for Subaru. They found this blog post, and although they've almost finished with a video they've been working on, they liked what I had to say so much that they want to include parts of it in their video. I asked what they saw that they liked so much they wanted to put it in an almost-finished ad, and he said its warmth, its eloquence, its genuineness--apparently it's unlike anything else they have.
I will say, it's a fine post. And honest: I reread it, and sure enough, the Subaru is the car of my soul. I shared with him that he could do a print ad like this:
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| Conceived in a Subaru. |
At any rate, he had very nice things to say about my writing and about Subaru as a company. He never mentioned any sort of payment or barter offers (i.e. Subaru maintenance for life!), so I'm assuming this is a campaign where lots of Subaru lovers are voluntarily sharing their love.
So here's the deal: I do love my Subarus, the first one and the one I have now. And I've shared that love freely and voluntarily with the world via the expansive readership of Baxter Sez. So should I be part of the freebie ad campaign? It does seem like maybe I've done my freebie part for Subaru. But does that mean that I should push for some reimbursement for them getting to make use of my brilliance? And if so, does that make me a horrible sell out to the capitalist system? Or something?
Some of you lurking readers who have expertise in this arena, give me some feedback!
10 comments:
They will be using your words to make them money. Seems reasonable for you to be compensated for it.
They aren't a smallbusiness or a nonprofit - they don't need your help for free. They can afford to pay you.
Why would they not compensate you at all? That's not cool. They should volunteer to at least give you some swag.
I don't have any experience with this, and you don't know me from a hole in the wall - but I would definitely ask for some sort of compensation. SOMETHING to indicate they understand that your story is adding value to their campaign.
But it is kind of flattering, isn't it?
I'm kind of with the others in regards to them profiting off your words and your work - hence, I think you SHOULD be compensated in some way, just as you would if you were hired as a copywriter for them or a video production person or whatever.
One thought (and this is me putting on my nonprofit fundraiser's hat): as Rairy said, this is a big company. Is there something you're involved with nonprofit-wise, like Maybelle's school or some organization or an event, or whatever, that could perhaps benefit from, say, a sponsorship from Subaru? A project that could move forward or succeed with the help of some corporate cash? I believe they have a foundation, as most corporate entities do.
Just a thought.
Look at you all! Friday night, and you're reading the blog and making comments! Thank you!
Okay, so you're all right: these advertisers are getting paid for this campaign, so there's not necessarily any reason that I as a contributor shouldn't get paid. Melissa, you hit on an idea that was floating around in my head: if they aren't actually paying people, they still might be willing to donate to something that matters a lot to me (currently I think it would be scholarships for students in CofC's REACH Program--I'll blog about that at some point).
And yes, lifeversiontwo, it was kind of flattering!
i would just be pretty stoked about getting to contribute. and then i would brag a lot about my awesomeness that got me into a fun commercial.
and then sometime down the road i would go with what betty and boo's mom said and hit subaru up for some sponsorship.
I'm with what seems to be the consensus. You've done your bit for free in your venue. If they want to you your IP for their profit in their domain, you should be compensated. And even more so if it involves you creating new material. It's up to you to decide what is enough.
I'm with Mary Piepmeier...she said what I wanted to say perfectly.
Hey- when you're speaking to them put in a word about how terrible it is that they've sold out to an SUV look to their rear end and lost the charm of the station wagon rear end! :) I love my Subaru but won't buy a new model (I'll buy an old one tho) just for that reason! I would think that they would offer you something....
As the subject of compensation wasn't broached up front, you might want to wait until AFTER your input is used otherwise you might be left on the cutting room floor. Should you approach Subaru after-the-fact, however, It should be noted that you are a published author and you "assumed" you would receive compensation of some sort.
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