Tiggergate: Using Disney Icons To Sell Seroquel

Tiggergate: Using Disney Icons To Sell Seroquel
By Ed Silverman // November 6th, 2008 // 1:44 pm
http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/11/tig...sell-seroquel/

How is this for creative selling? An AstraZeneca regional sales manager allegedly directed the sales reps in her region to use some of Winnie the Pooh’s well-known friends - specifically, Tigger and Eeyore - to promote the Seroquel antipsychotic.

We are told the idea was conveyed at a national sales meeting and on field rides with sales reps, who were told to use Tigger as a bipolar patient and Eeyore - the down-in-the-mouth donkey - as a depressed patient. The reps were allegedly encouraged to use Tigger dolls as giveaways, for instance.

Whether any of the reps actually did so is unclear. Nonetheless, an AstraZeneca spokesman tells us that the drugmaker is “investigating the allegations,” although he adds that “it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment further, because it is an open investigation.”

Who knows what lurks in the 100 Acre Woods?

How about Magilla Gorilla and Squiddly Diddly?

Or how about Lippy The Lion and Hardy Har Har.

How about Happy Gilmore and Bob Barker?

My vote is for Secret Squirrel and Morrocco Mole.

Too bad. No story here. Just a mid level person with a stupid idea that everybody rolled their eyes at. Only surprise or news here is that a couple reps supposedly took her up on it. No marketing, no schemes, nothing but a poor attempt at being different. Now let's get back to those exciting threads about Brooklyn and MCR.

I find that Underdog, Polly Purebred and Simon Bar Sinister do quite well.

Just picked up the vm from LP. Who was the RSD that told their reps to do this?

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Tiggergate: Using Disney Icons To Sell Seroquel
By Ed Silverman // November 6th, 2008 // 1:44 pm
http://www.pharmalot.com/2008/11/tig...sell-seroquel/

How is this for creative selling? An AstraZeneca regional sales manager allegedly directed the sales reps in her region to use some of Winnie the Pooh’s well-known friends - specifically, Tigger and Eeyore - to promote the Seroquel antipsychotic.

We are told the idea was conveyed at a national sales meeting and on field rides with sales reps, who were told to use Tigger as a bipolar patient and Eeyore - the down-in-the-mouth donkey - as a depressed patient. The reps were allegedly encouraged to use Tigger dolls as giveaways, for instance.

Whether any of the reps actually did so is unclear. Nonetheless, an AstraZeneca spokesman tells us that the drugmaker is “investigating the allegations,” although he adds that “it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment further, because it is an open investigation.”

Who knows what lurks in the 100 Acre Woods?

You say a "regional sales manager" but there is no such title at this company. It is either a District sales manager or Regional sales Director. Which is it and who was it? It makes a big difference.

It was allegedly a Regional Sales Director from the Philadelphia Business Center.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

It was allegedly a Regional Sales Director from the Philadelphia Business Center.

I think it was a great idea!! Damn, who knew a RSD could be that creative?? Now we gotta punish him for thinking outside the box!! He should have known that we aren't a "sales organization" but a "metrics organization". Silly little goose! Now where did I put that Daffy Duck doll?

Originally Posted by Anonymous

I think it was a great idea!! Damn, who knew a RSD could be that creative?? Now we gotta punish him for thinking outside the box!! He should have known that we aren't a "sales organization" but a "metrics organization". Silly little goose! Now where did I put that Daffy Duck doll?

I wouldn't call it creative or thinking outside of the box. I would call it patent infringement.

I mean Trademark infringement

How in the hell did the rep infringe on the trademark you idiot? Did they try and duplicate it for sale? NOOOO!! Did they produce an extremely similar facsimile?? NOOOO! They just used the damn thing to illustrate a type of "mood", you stupid shithead!

Originally Posted by Anonymous

How in the hell did the rep infringe on the trademark you idiot? Did they try and duplicate it for sale? NOOOO!! Did they produce an extremely similar facsimile?? NOOOO! They just used the damn thing to illustrate a type of "mood", you stupid shithead!

It's very interesting that you know so much about this and what it is that the rep(s) did. Apparently you know what all of the reps do every day. I suppose you know everything. Why are you so angry and defensive??? I did say "allegedly." Very interesting response...

As far as your retarded answer, it is TM infringement when you utilize someone else's TM for any purpose that is not approved by them, especially to sell an anti-psychotic. Now let's see how many names you can conjure up to call me this time. You sound very intelligent.

They (plural) "allegedly" utilized tigger dolls, images, pictures, etc. without Disney approval. That sounds an awful lot like TM infringement to me. My guess is that Disney and the courts will see it that way. Hell, if it's not TM infringement, then there shouldn't be a problem with it. Why did Linda send out the cease and decist voicemail????

Originally Posted by Anonymous

How in the hell did the rep infringe on the trademark you idiot? Did they try and duplicate it for sale? NOOOO!! Did they produce an extremely similar facsimile?? NOOOO! They just used the damn thing to illustrate a type of "mood", you stupid shithead!

Trademark infringement is a violation of the exclusive rights attaching to a trademark without the authorization of the trademark owner or any licensees (provided that such authorization was within the scope of the license). Infringement may occur when one party, the "infringer", uses a trademark or tradename, which is identical or confusingly similar to a trademark owned by another party, in relation to products or services. An owner of a trademark may commence legal proceedings against a party which infringes its registration.

Sounds like TM infringement to me.....

Wonder if Disney knows...... whistleblower heaven???

Who is OR WAS??? the CNS RSD from the Philly BC?

Nobody gives two shits about what one dumb ass hen did with a couple reps in a car, least of all a company that depends on people taking vacations, which ain't happening now. It was a stupid story in the beginning and is not worth page one now.

Yeah, sounds like an ordinary field day with a rep ..... these type of "routine" mess ups get written up in the press all the time. Wake up..... or better yet go back to sleep.

Yeah, you're right! Sounds like an ordinary RSD field day..... these routine coaching days get AZ written up in the press all the time. Wake up or better yet, go back to SLEEP!!!

Yo, didnt thy use Green Eggs and Ham to sell Lexxel in the old days? Different toon but same principle?

Actually, our RSD, D.L. gave us the direction to use the disney characters at a regional CNS meeting and would reinforce her "great" idea on field days with the reps. I heard that it gave AZ a lot of negative press in the local area.

I can confirm that we sought, and have received, permission from Marvel Comics to use Wolverine to sell Crtor. It will " slice the atherosclerotic plaque from your arterial walls just like Wolverine can slice and dice you to pieces. DTC to run Super Bowl Sunday.

Outstanding Marketing.... Clever way of targeting use in children....this RSD is clearly needed on the Seroquel Brand team...

Popeye was used to promote spinach and Wimpy was used to sell hamburgers .

What was the name of the genius RSD that masterminded this scheme?

This RSD is a real piece of work. Remember the "Mt. Euthmia" meeting? I still have a headache! Ouch. Just another marketing bonehead checking the box at our expense.

Hey - she is one of my personal favorites and I put her here to begin with so cut the crap and leave her alone.

Someone Very High Placed Who Can Make Your Ass Grass

ohhhhh.....you're so scary. I bet you're really her internet husband posing as someone scary

Does anyone know who "she" is??? Unbelievable, how well under wrapped this name has become.

Don't you retarded reps have anything better to do? It was bad enough that they made me come out here and babysit your whiny asses for three years.
Don't think for one moment that I could stand watching you fumble through all those calls and role plays. I have never been more bored in my life than having to follow your simple asses around for 7 and 1/2 hours. Torture. No less than torture. So leave me alone.

I was exactly a party for me either Denise! Listening to you droan on about euthymia sent me into severe depression.

My CNS counterpart told me it the RSD was Jeff Mollison when he was with CNS???

See. That's exactly why I could not stand to be out there with you as you struggled to get your sales IQs above three figures. Did you moan while I droaned? Get me out of this job before I drone on even more about how insipidly painful these reps are to watch.

Mollison wasn't the RSD but him and her were best buddies. He took her under his wing when she first joined. They were like two peas in a pod. Two bugs in a bed. Two mints in one. Two to tango. They were buds.

Don't worry. She is going to be gone after she comes back from maternity leave. It's a done deal.