by At last week’s NAMM 2010 show, Fender and T-Mobile introduced a “Fender Phone” that looks like it’s made out of wood, but it’s not. Eric Clapton is the spokesmodel for the phone.
Some of Eric’s fans are upset the “Guitar God” is lowering himself the level of pitchman for a cellular phone.
I don’t have a problem with Eric Clapton pitching me an American cellphone — but throughout the commercial he does seem a bit humiliated and embarrassed to be there.
I love this shot of his left hand fingers. If you look closely, you can see the callouses on his fingertips created from sliding and bending steel strings all day.
Celebrity endorsements are an icon of our day.
It’s funny how American celebrities like Brad Pitt and George Clooney will only do commercials in foreign lands like Japan — for big money — in order to save their commercial appeal at home for their movies; so is it so surprising Clapton, a Brit by birth, arrives in America to promote cellphones for a USA company?
I have no interest in the Fender Phone — but I do like its woody look a lot — and I’ll stick with my iPhone for now… unless Buddy Guy steps up and promotes a Google Guitar phone.
I’ve been eying a few wooden cases for the iphone — not as pretty as this phone but real wood nevertheless.
What’s funny about Japanese commercials is that they aren’t hidden as they were pre broadband super easy Internet access — make a commercial in Japan today, have it seen in the US tomorrow!
Do you have any links to the wooden cases, Gordon? Do they add a lot of bulk to the phone?
http://www.versaudio.com/verscase.html
This one seems to be the best, David. Looks thin! 🙂
love Love LOVE! Thanks for that link, Gordon. Why haven’t you leapt into purchase yet?
Great question. I think a large part of me wants to see and feel it in person before I spend the money 🙂
That makes sense. There is a new tablet coming and a whole new iPhone form factor, too, so waiting a bit is wise.
The phone looks great! But the woden cases for i-phones are even better!!
You are right David, Clapton seems slightly uncomfortable with the whole idea…what made him so conscious?
I think he was forced into doing the commercial and doesn’t want to be there. I also think he’s weirded-out by interacting with a phone in his hand that is probably, in reality, a bright green block. He has zero pretend skills. He’s a musician, not an actor.