Avenue What?: The Contest’s Conclusion
Posted by Lauren | Under Adventures in the Modern Dating World, New Media Events with 261 views Friday Sep 7, 2007It never fails to surprise me how I have more readers than I think. My last entry elicited more spectators than actual contestants, and more spectators than I expected. (Hell, it got more comments than my n00dz. wtf.) Well I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised since I made quite a spectacle out of myself back there. So to satisfy everyone’s curiosity, I shall make a rather brief entry on What Happened That Night.
Fritz was my date for the evening and whether he was lucky or not to have won is a question only he can answer. 
You see, we didn’t get around to watching Avenue Q.
Yesterday morning, Anton texted me to say that the folks at Atlantis read my blog and was unhappy with my marketing scheme. And by “marketing scheme”, they probably meant “Whatta slut, whoring herself on the intarwebs for a date. I can’t believe someone like her is what people consider a ‘respectable blogger’ these days.” As a result, they withdrew the extra ticket reserved for whoever I would take (though for some strange reason, they didn’t say I couldn’t watch), and I effectively made an ass out of myself on the internet. How embarrassing.
To be fair to them, I understand why they’d be a little bit shocked. This is the first time they’ve used bloggers to attend a press event, so they’re a little wary because they don’t know what to expect from us. It didn’t really help that I was pretty much soliciting for a date for their event. How very un-Dalagang Pilipina of me. On the other hand, they should have realized that I was simply doing what was expected of me in the first place - namely, generating buzz on the internet. Bloggers raffle off freebies all the time! Well maybe not all the time, but this is certainly something that isn’t new; Abe raffled off tickets to the Bourne Ultimatum a few weeks ago. Of course, he did so without having to post a photo of himself licking a gay friend. But that’s besides the point.
You have to admit that the whole contest thing did work. I got people hooked. I required the winner to make an entry about the play so in effect, I’d have given Atlantis two reviews instead of one. Clearly, my methods are a tad too unconventional for them, so they don’t get any reviews from me AT ALL. As much as I wanted to see Avenue Q, it didn’t feel right for me to go watch despite what just happened. And okay, I admit I was a little pissed off too. So I decided to forfeit my ticket and hang out with Fritz over at Cafe Breton. I’m no naked puppet show, but I certainly hope that I was entertaining enough for him not to secretly hate me for showing up with no tickets.
Needless to say, I won’t be making any more contests anytime soon.
I wish there are photos
I had thought about the same thing this morning myself. “I think we had a naturally entertaining discussion about stuff, mostly about her though, but the good thing is that the whole meet-you-for-the-first-time did not seem forced… or was it? Darn.”
I had fun, Lauren. Sorry if I sounded so full of myself. Also, I was praying, “Oh please please don’t make her feel as though I’m wasting her time with this date, please please pwitty pweeez?”
Thanks Lauren!
Err… these people!! Why make a big deal out of it?? Blah. :-p
Well that was pretty stupid. Whatever happened to the belief that any media coverage is good? Besides, Avenue Q is all about not caring for convention and being irreverent - it seems ironic that they didn’t like your methods in case they were too racy.
I hope it’s only For Now, in this case. Either way, I’ve already reserved my tickets for the 22nd and I’m just taking the time to say goodbye to my money before I pay TicketWorld. =P
well that was stupid. now they get no reviews. your contest was exciting. whoever decided to withdrew the ticket should be fired. he/she probably read the “date” part and neglected the part where you asked a written review form your date. do’h
Withdrawing the extra ticket was the stupidest thing ever. The musical has the word “porn” in one of its most popular songs. You’d think they would be more open minded about things.
Anyway, glad to hear you enjoyed each other’s company in spite of (or is it despite? I never can get this right) the non-ticket.
That was a stupid stupid thing for them to do, self-righteous jerks… you did good… and just for that, I’m not watching it.
Boycott Avenue Q! Just wait for the movie version and download a pirated copy
Yay!
Just kidding. Piracy is bad. Please don’t sue.
AWESOME. Not the part where you and The Fritz didn’t get to watch it, but the part where the Atlanteans made an ass of themselves.
Dude that sucks. Avenue Q is like one of the best shows ever.
Aww :sad:. Pero sana may back-up plan ka’t ‘di nasayang yung araw nyo. An extra ticket out of your pocket could’ve saved teh day.
Pero ayus pa rin. Asan pix?
@Prudence - It was a very humid night, and I wasn’t in the mood to camwhore lolz.
@Fritz - Did I talk about myself too much? I’m sorry! I tend to say the first things that come into my mind when I’m nervous, haha. Don’t worry, it wasn’t a total waste of time at all, I had a great evening. Thank YOU.
@Riz - I know right? I didn’t expect them to be all conservative about it.
@Rocky - I’m tempted to buy tickets and just watch it on my own, but I’m still pissed enough to want to boycott it. I hope you enjoy it though! Write a review!
@Dexie - I know. I thought I’d made it pretty clear that this wasn’t just for MY benefit. Oh wells.
@Tala - I suppose the people promoting the play and the actual play itself are different. But yep, I did have fun in spite of. Despite of. Lolz I can’t really tell the difference either.
@Philos - Well you don’t have to boycott it. On its own, I think Avenue Q is worth seeing.
@Joyfulchicken - Piracy is for teh poor! And we are a third world country! Piracy is justified! j/k
@Baddie - I knoes. I am first blogger! I can has influence over anyone who displeases me!1
@Exene - Yeah, I was real disappointed I couldn’t see it.
@Boyutal - Even if I wanted to buy an extra ticket I couldn’t cos it was press night. I think the backup plan (dinner) worked pretty well. I think.
uyyyy.
Back up plan yung dinner? Diii. Dining+/conversation = best part of a date imo.
Kung tutuusin swerte pa rin si Fritz kase at least nagkausap kayo ng personal. Talking to + dinner with you? Bihira lang yan. Yang Q Avenue? Pwede nyang panoorin kahit magisa pag showing na. ^_^
It has been proven time and again that word-of-mouth is one of the the most consistent and cost-effective ways to ensure profitability in a variety of endeavors. In entertainment, word-of-mouth can make or break a production.
I was tickled pink by your contest idea, Lauren. (I didn’t join, though.) It surprises me that Atlantis felt your contest would devalue their production; it also surprises me they would say (or imply) such harsh things about you. If someone offers you a free ticket to a production, don’t you have the freedom to decide how best to hand out that ticket? What’s so bad about raffling it off to another blogger (who can then write about it), along with dinner before (or after)? It sure has heck beats picking someone off the street.
I actually feel bad for the folks behind Avenue Q. If they could just have seen the benefits your unconventional idea would have brought about, Lauren! Oi vey! If only someone were there to have explained to them the brilliance of your plan! Tsk tsk!
Now, unfortunately for them, they may have some glowing reviews of their production, but now their closed-mindedness will also be available for all to see. Instead of focusing on the production, people will now see some unsavory behind-the-scenes politicking, and this is not what you want for a production.
At any rate, I encourage you, Lauren, not to give up the ‘raffling’ or thinking of non-conventional methods to help generate word of mouth for any company or person who wants to work with you. Visionaries don’t let the naysayers get in the way.
(On a related note, I would like to turn your attention to Repertory Philippines’ production of ‘Cinderella’ and see what my wife has to say about her experience. (I’ve provided the link in my name.) Once again, proof a bad experience behind-the-scenes can mar any person’s theatrical experience, and can generate negative word-of-mouth.
But isn’t Avenue about sex and porn and sex? and porn again?
What’s wrong with selling yourself? Ack!
Aww, too bad lauren.
I just don’t see the connection with you
looking for a date… it’s not like you’re prjecting a bad image or anything
i’ve always wanted to see avenue q, but the ticket price is not so friendly. i’m no anton to get a free ticket, so i guess congratulations goes to fritz. but then again, if the date was worth missing the play, DARN it had to be THAT good! hehehe, nanunukso lang po sa inyong malikot na pag-iisip.
You’re right when you said all sorts of things are being raffled off by bloggers. From movie tickets (by Anton), flash drivers (by Yuga), etc. Now, your “dating contest” was really creative and it did generate “word-of-mouth marketing”. Too bad the folks over Atlantis are so narrow-minded. So uncool…
Weird indeed. Well, at least you got to date somebody anyway.
Those folks from Atlantis were quite stupid. You just gave them free online marketing and screwed you for it. Stupid.