Wednesday 16 May 2007

The Apprentice 2007 Episode 8 'Brand-a-Trainer'

What a brilliant challenge this week. The candidates had to create a new brand of trainer with a poster and video advertisement. This challenge would test their understanding of marketing. Sir Alan said that the ad campaign had to get sales, not one that wins the 'Montrose awards for advertising tossers'.

After last week's showdown in the boardroom Sir Alan picks Ghazal to lead Stealth and Jadine, who's been unusually quiet lately, leads Eclipse. Jadine's first move was to push 'patronising' advertising sales manager Naomi over to Stealth's team.

Branding 'is my forte' boasts Tre, with Simon confidently backing him up, saying 'provided everyone listens to Tre we should be fine'. Eclipse quickly hits on their big idea - 'street' or as expert Tre puts it, they're offering an 'underground alternative to the mass-produced representation of their culture'. They decide to call their brand by the rather obvious name, 'street'. Simon was brilliant this week. He showed a real sense of humour as well as being a valued team plaer. He wrote and performed a rap and even did some break-dance inspired moves for the video. Tre wasn't too keen on Simon's antics, but I think he knew he was the best they had to work with.

Stealth, led by Ghazal had two advertising experts in their team, Katie and Naomi. They struggled to come up with a big idea. Eventually, much to Katie's horror, Kristina scribbles out a logo, 'Jam', which Ghazal runs with, hoping to pitch their trainer at the youth market. 'I can see a grandmother on a cruise wearing these,' remarks Naomi when she sees the freshly logo-ed trainer. Quite right Naomi - which teenager is seriously going to buy them?

After going to bed with the 'concept' 'image is everything' (whatever that means) Wicked Witch Katie had the chance to nag at Ghazal to make her change to 'music is everything'. What the hell does 'music is everything' mean anyway, and more importantly, what does music have to do with trainers. What a stupid idea.

Pitching to the advertising agency, Katie's pitch, lead from the point of view of her fictional teenager Jay, fell flat. Jadine's team, despite their confused ethical message to give 10% of every sale to charity, won the task and the girls were left to face the music in the boardroom.

'Music's in your sole' failed to impress the boss. 'There was no big idea there', barked Sir Alan at the girls. Ghazal brought her two advertising experts Katie and Naomi back in with her and the accusations flew across the table, with Ghazal blamed for weak leadership. Much to Sir Alan's frustration, Katie, who's now been on the losing team six times, stuck up for the advert, leading him to question whether she was just 'a loser'.

But Ghazal faced the rage. 'I think you're all talk and no do', Sir Alan growled. It's about time someone said it, Sir Alan. Ghazal has been hopeless from the beginning and is very lucky to have made it this far. She had to go. I only wish that Katie would have got the chop.

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