Are You Serious, Sealy?

Two days ago, mattress giant Sealy announced an advertising campaign that involves an open letter to President Barack Obama, offering him a "better six hours of sleep on a Sealy Posturepedic Better 6 mattress."

Wrong move, Sealy. This smacks of opportunistic commercialism with an unfocused marketing tactic that is attemping to hitch up to the Obama media bandwagon. This is precisely the reason no one's offering up any free pooper-scoopers to the leader of the free world just because he's getting a puppy.

Mind you, as a marketer, I can appreciate the desire to align with the media whirlwind that is Barack Obama right now, but it needs to be on-topic and relevant to what this administration is trying to put forth as an agenda. A restful six hours of sleep does not qualify. This is a man who, for the next 4 to 8 years, is going to have every wish, every whim, catered to by a staff of dozens whose job it is to make his life easier. That includes the bed on which he will count sheep (you're welcome, Sealy).

Why not offer a bed to the countless thousands who are out of a job right now and can't afford a new bed or to shelters for those who slept last night on the streets of New York City in sub-freezing temperatures? That seems a bit more socially responsible than offering a bed to the most mediagenic person out there right now.

Comments

[Dave Kawalec]

I agree. They should focus on those in need of a bed. If they want to tie it back to Obama, they can position it that they are inspired by his vision. Their tactic is just bizarre.

[sleepspert]

I like when market leaders try to be edgy, but I agree, it's an "off" idea, just like their depressing "better 6" campaign is off (I really don't like thinking abt the fact I'm only sleeping 6 hrs a night).

[mattsnod]

What a great point. I'd rather focus on changing my life to get ~8 hours of sleep than try to improve my unhealthy 6 hours of sleep. Have you seen how presidencies age those guys? Yeesh.