An Intriguing little term…’NOprah’

I was reading across several news sites and blogs and came across a new term ‘NOprah’. What does it mean? How did this happen? Could it be that there are people that actually DON’T like Oprah Winfrey?????? It can’t be. There’s got to be some mistake. I mean who could not find the great works and inspiring words she provides on a daily basis in e-media and print intriguing? Then I started to think about new hype that is spinning around her name ( and not given the right to use) on many,many e-products that are pushed on us each day.

Slick marketing people have started to realize is if you use the name Oprah in any way like ‘As talked about by Oprah’ or ‘As shown by Oprah’ we just can’t resist at least reading more about what is being pushed on us. How does it work? Why do we constantly need to have something that a celebrity endorses ( or not really endorses) ? So what? An article released way back in 2006 from the Columbia News Service talks about how we either love or hate these little words uttered by such names.

How many people came here just to find something about Oprah just becuase I tagged the name? Just because a particular satellite radio group mentioned a program starting an the network saw their stock value suddenly raise and Oprah had not been heard yet! Wow! This is fantastic! Maybe a way to monetize your blogs even more?

But let’s pull back a moment and really think about what is going on. I wonder If any of the books, self-help shows, entertainment programs, or what have you would have made it without her. I really wonder what happens in the dimly lit board rooms of the ‘O’ Empire and what the authors or show hosts give up to become part of the ‘O’ legion. I wonder even more how much Oprah is actually involved in these deals (if at all) and if the contracts are more soul binding than realized to a mega-corporation built totally on a name of fame?

I hope there are a few out there will think about cultural icons and what they really do to/for us over time and if we could make it without them. I hope e few of you will leave comments on this.