I need advice on a gifting plan

melanie · Post by **melanie** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:31 pm

Hi folks-
I'm more of an eplaya lurker than poster, and I need your advice. I have a plan for a costume/gift combo day, but I'm wondering if it's inappropriate? I am planning on making an outfit out of PBR cans, kind of like a skirt of amour, bikini top, and tiara - all made out of these cans. My plan is to then tote a cooler full of ice cold PBR on my bike trailer out to the open playa, and gift cold beers to hot, thirsty people, furthest away from their camp and the cold beverage they want most. I have had a few people state that this may be too "commercial", donning myself with a logo. I talked to my brother about this for a while, who has not been to bm but is definitely a burner in spirit. He is also a very calculated person, who always thinks before he speaks. His comment is that pbr is more of an icon than a commercial item. It's basically as close to generic beer as it gets. I'm really just wanting to give people something good, and something fun to look at (the costume: Princess Pabst) and a cold beer. I'm not looking to advertise, I just thought it would be fun. If you saw me, would you think that my costume was too commercial?
Please, let me know what you think: should I x-nay the idea or go for it? I'll be looking forward to your comments and advice - I need it. And if you guys tell me to go ahead, I look forward to seeing you on the playa, hopefully handing you an icy cold one.

Truly-
(maybe) princess pabst

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:43 pm

hi,

I think your idea is just fine. Don't let anyone get overly dogmatic on ya. Even the most crazy 'purists' will still love to get a beer from ya way out in the void.

My only advice is to make sure that costume is COMFORTABLE in the heat and on your long treck.

I hope to run across the beer princess in my deep playa travels

Ivy · Post by **Ivy** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:49 pm

What Stuart said.

(Especially about the comfort part!

Seriously: if it brings you joy, then I think by all means you should do it. I'm thinking that probably by the time you manipulate thsoe cans the logos won't be nearly as recogniseable anyway.

Release Me · Post by **Release Me** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:49 pm

My only hope is that I run into you.

burnwithme · Post by **burnwithme** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:50 pm

I can see how a person could see that as a commercial act but the truth behind it is that it is not. Last year there was a young lady in a red vines bikini handing out red vines and I never saw anybody complaining or accusing her of being commercial. I see no difference in the two and tend to believe that act of goodness that you are offering would be seen far before the thought of commercialism. I have been noticing this year far more than any other years that people are looking for a reason to point their finger and complain, I really hope this does not carry out to the Playa. I can only hope that I am near when you decide to be handing out the cold beverages, I would not cry commercialism while enjoying the kindness.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:51 pm

Princess Pabst I love you! Please please please come to the Playa this year!

buckethead alien · Post by **buckethead alien** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:16 pm

I say dress up like a Teletubby and then hand out the beers. No less commercial, but pretty freakin' funny.

weeee-hooo!

MissNev · Post by **MissNev** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:23 pm

Pabst Princess, that is a lovely idea! I really hope to see you out there!

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 3:26 pm

I'LL TAKE ONE!

It's a great idea, and perfect for a first-timer.

Dork · Post by **Dork** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 4:32 pm

I'd find the advertising aspect a little excessive, but that's probably because I don't like beer. Yes, you heard me! Call me a freak if you like, but I simply don't care for the stuff.

I don't think anyone will give you any shit for it and if they do the people rushing to get a beer should sufficiently drown them out.

Even though you aren't working for PBR (or are you?) it's still advertising. There have been attempts to get products into the event for advertising purposes and some were more successful than others.

Imagine if Budweiser hung a big banner from an art bus and sponsored a free Bud Lite party. Would you object or jump on and get drunk? Both? What if those buses and bikes and models with logos body painted on were everywhere you looked? There is a reason to keep advertising to a minimum.

KellY · Post by **KellY** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 5:36 pm

Dork wrote: Call me a freak if you like, but I simply don't care for the stuff.

Freak!

Melanie, I think your idea is just dandy. If you're concerned about the logo thing, maybe you could "decorate yourself with/hand out" many different kinds of cheap beer instead of just one -that way the beer itself becomes more noticeable than the brand. Although it's true that thanks to Davis Lynch, Pabst still has a certain cache.

KellY · Post by **KellY** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 5:37 pm

Um, that would be David Lynch. Where's that edit button?

TheJudge · Post by **TheJudge** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 5:39 pm

Melanie: Hello, have a beer as a gift.

Participant: What? A Pabst? What is this, some kind of fucking corporate advertising?? Get away from me you damn dirty hippy!! I'm reporting you to the Rangers!

Yeah, I dont think that's gonna happen.

Fat SAM · Post by **Fat SAM** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 5:52 pm

What if you did the armor with the label sides in? Then you would have super shiny, smelly armor and no embarrassing label problem.

Simon said · Post by **Simon said** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:03 pm

You gotta do it. I would have......for a beer while deep in the playa on many occasions. Fuck what people might think.....it's your burn !

flubbilynumpkins · Post by **flubbilynumpkins** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 12:31 am

I'll be looking for you!

It's seriously a great idea, Pabst to me is a symbolic item, been with me for a long time, and been in my family for a long time, (grandfather was one of the first distibutors in the So Cal area, got lots of great old memorabelia). There will certainly be a handi-case of that somewhere in my car.

On a side note, my friend went as the beer fairie for halloween last year. He took a cambpells soup can costume, spray painted it to look like a pbr can, had a tiara and wand with various beer caps on it, and wore empty 12 packs over his shoes. Funny to see a large man with a tiara and wand.

Steven bradford · Post by **Steven bradford** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 3:06 am

just posting to agree with Stuart and the others.

Wonderfull idea. I've gifted popcicles and gumballs out on the deep playa, and this is no different.

Now if you were a PBR rep, that would be different.

Besides, PBR stands for Playa Beer Reserve, right?

melanie · Post by **melanie** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 4:33 am

Oh my gosh, thanks so much you guys! I went to work, came back to check up on how or if anyone replied and I was shocked to see your responses!
In any case I guess I must clarify: I am certainly NOT a pbr rep, nor do I aspire to be (although I did schlep many a pints of a certain nw microbrew for too many years).
Robbidobbs: I am not a first-timer, hope you still think the idea's perfect.
Fat sam: thanks for the idea, but the curvature of the cans don't make it easy to turn them "inside out".
Dork: the idea revolves around the costume, it's just not the same package without it, I'm hoping most would see it as more of a work of art than a banner. but I get your point and agree.
Flubbilynumpkins (sp?): yeah, it's more of a symbolic item than a brand. I mean, Kraft mac & cheese just wouldn't be that cool, would it?
To all of you guys who support me: thanks!
I will definitely be out in my pbr attire, and hopefully meeting some of you. I'm thinking wednesday or thursday????? (but really, who's planning?)

Hope to see y'all soon-
*officially* (blush)-
Princess Pabst

SED · Post by **SED** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 8:57 am

You'll recall that the Hell's Angels provided security at the Altamont concert in exchange for free beer. I'm thinking you and I could work out some sort of arrangement . . .

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 10:04 am

well, this gives me an idea...
what if you were to paint the costume with 'playa beer reserve'? that way you still garner the attention of thirsty wanderers, but are reclaiming the logo/brand, just as they're modified all over town.

although i think i support your gifting choice either way, i'd be so much happier to see a creative modification. it would not only make me less thirsty, but it would make me smile and laugh.

and these things are good.

good luck!

diggum · Post by **diggum** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 10:35 am

Rian's idea is great. I was about to go on a tirade about the logo-reaction people seem to get, and how they're like old gods: learn not to pay attention to them or get emotionally affected and they tend to stop existing as a thing, but Playa Beer Reserve changes everything.

melanie · Post by **melanie** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 12:33 pm

Oooh. Playa Beer Reserve IS a really really good idea. I like it, alot.