re : [Harp-L] Endorsements

[Harp Gear <brian@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bill, 

I agree with you on many of your points.  That is one of the reasons I don't provide free amps to pros.   I know they owe me nothing and if they use the amp it is because they love it and not because of any agreement.  This prevents the illusion of "paid ads".  If Jason Ricci wants to use a Bassman or any amp out there I am not offended because he bought the HG50 and can play whaever he wants with no obligation.  He did like it enough to go through the headache to get one just for his Europe dates he is leaving there for his tour dates.  He could have just used a Bassman and I wouldn't have blinked because we have no formal agreement on anything.  

Same goes for every player out there.  Anyone who has dealt with me will tell you that I provide the best service and support I can and I never treat the pros better.  If you get an amp from me I work to make sure you get the same product as every other player.  To me consistency is really critical.  I want all my amps to be equally great because every single amp out there is a representative of me regardless of who plays it.  I sell more amps because they were seen at local jams then I sell because the amp was seen on stage with Jason or Charlie.  Because of this every amp matters and gets the utmost attention to detail.  I definitely think your email was well thought out and written. 

Thanks! 
Brian  


 
Message: 2
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:00:49 -0500
From: "Bill Kumpe" <bkumpe@xxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] Endorsements
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID: <5D592CCDCEE445BA8EDBB1EA9EAC9500@BKALPC>
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Sonnytone Jr. and The List:

Insofar as I may have inadvertently impugned the integrity of any performer
or any vendor, I apologize profusely.  But, please let me explain the
context of my comments.

First, I am an attorney and I handle a talent contract every once in a
while.  The talent usually gets told what clothes they have to wear, what
makeup consultant they have to use, who they can publicly associate with on
a commercial basis and even who they can associate with privately if that
association might violate the typical morals and manners clause in most
talent contracts.

Second, common sense tells you that many so-called celebrity endorsements
are nothing more than paid ads worked out in the business office by the
agents and the advertisers.  At one local radio station, the same
optometrist has been the "friend," "close family friend" or "my buddy"
through three consecutive talent changes.  Just so happens the good doc is a
big advertiser on the station.  The ads are so smooth, you hardly know they
are ads.  "Had barbecue at good ole doc x's place this weekend.  He has a
great family and is a great cook.  I sure am glad I let him treat me and got
to know him and staff.  They are great folks, etc.  ad infinitum, ad
nauseum.  This same station almost got in trouble with the FCC when they
were in another format for close relationship between their largest
advertiser, a local car dealer, and their on air talent.

Third, I stand by my statement about off the shelf equipment.  If I, as a
businessman, have invested heavily in a celebrity endorser, I am going to
make darn sure he gets the best possible product my company can produce.  I
would like to say that I would treat every customer the same, but we both
know that that is just not going to be the case.  It's just human nature and
the nature of business.

So again, insofar as I may cast a false light upon any performer or vendor,
I apologize because I know nothing about the professional harp world.  But,
I do know a bit about the business world and feel that my comments, in that
context, were factual.

Bill Kumpe