Extravagant Gift Bags and The Oscars.

[DawnCt1]

All of this time I thought that being a presenter at the Academy Awards was about being honored to speak, garner additional publicity and perhaps recieve an Oscar. Its seems however that "being there" isn't quite enough. The presenters and recipients are awards with "gift bags". Nope, not the modest kind of gifts of appreciation that you and I would enjoy opening but gift bags valued between $25K and $100K, with palm pilots, Ipods, spa treatments, 3 nights a fabulous resorts, etc. Not that I wouldn't enjoy opening those but it seems a bit pricey considering the value of their presence.

 

[Christine]

I just read yesterday that the IRS has stated that they will "now be taking a closer look at" these gift bags. I think they called it SWAG or something like that.

 

[Chuck S]

But aren't those gift donated by the companies for the "publicity?" I don't think many events would say no to an iPod if Apple offered to provide tham.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I think they've been doing this for years now. Kind of silly, IMO, considering the vast majority of presenters are multi-millionaires with little need for most of the stuff.

I heard yesterday that the IRS was trying to figure out whether or not the value of the goodie bags were taxable to the recipients.

 

[diskids2]

But aren't those gift donated by the companies for the "publicity?" I don't think many events would say no to an iPod if Apple offered to provide tham.

I'm not disagreeing with you statement, just adding this thought......How about a gift bag with a bunch of cards in it saying....in lieu of your three night stay, IPOD, etc. our company (Apple, Starwood, etc.) has donated X dollars to the following charities.

I'd like to see that publicity.

 

[DawnCt1]

But aren't those gift donated by the companies for the "publicity?" I don't think many events would say no to an iPod if Apple offered to provide tham.

It sounds like the IPod might be the least expensive item in the bag. I also didn't see them or any other company say, "extravagant gifts to the ultra spoiled donated by the following companies". Since this is 'an event' for the Hollywood elite, organized by the Hollywood elite, do they really need to entice each other with gifts that probably most of them have or could purchase in a wink of an eye? I did hear the IRS will be taxing the items.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

yeah because you just know Jack Nicholsen was saying "well sure I'll do it, for an iPOD. Always wanted one of those things!"

I heard there was also a coupon for 1/2 priced liposuction or something like that in this year's basket.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I heard there was also a coupon for 1/2 priced liposuction or something like that in this year's basket.

According to this article: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2001866436_oscarbag29.html there was a complimentary Lasix procedure included.

 

[DawnCt1]

According to this article: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2001866436_oscarbag29.html there was a complimentary Lasix procedure included.

Now I think I might be a little hesitant to avail myself of a complimentary Lasix procedure....even if I wore coke bottles for glasses.

 

[MickeysMommy]

Instead if giving these bags to the "stars" that can already afford all this stuff why not give it to the people outside the theatre or donate all that money to a special cause.

 

[jbdreamer]

I don't know why you are so suprized. This has been going on forever.

It's actually cheap advertising for these companies. They only have to give out a few hundred of their products, and if they can get a few celeberties to be seen using them, they have paid for themselves.

So you don't need to look at it as a waste of money. No one is paying 100k for a gift bag. These companies are giving their products away for free in hopes of free endorsments and repeat bussiness.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I don't know why you are so suprized. This has been going on forever.

It's actually cheap advertising for these companies. They only have to give out a few hundred of their products, and if they can get a few celeberties to be seen using them, they have paid for themselves.

So you don't need to look at it as a waste of money. No one is paying 100k for a gift bag. These companies are giving their products away for free in hopes of free endorsments and repeat bussiness.

ITA with this. What caught me by surprise was that the IRS wasn't taxing the presenters and others who were receiving these goodie bags in the past. I guess you could call them a "gift", but to me, this is income earned by being a presenter.

 

[YourMajesty]

I think they've been doing this for years now. Kind of silly, IMO, considering the vast majority of presenters are multi-millionaires with little need for most of the stuff.

I heard yesterday that the IRS was trying to figure out whether or not the value of the goodie bags were taxable to the recipients.

I agree.....these gift bags are probably the equivalent of what winning a Fry Daddy as a door prize would be to us. I was always under the impression that most of them were there for publicity...like a new movie coming out etc.

 

[DawnCt1]

I don't know why you are so suprized. This has been going on forever.

It's actually cheap advertising for these companies. They only have to give out a few hundred of their products, and if they can get a few celeberties to be seen using them, they have paid for themselves.

So you don't need to look at it as a waste of money. No one is paying 100k for a gift bag. These companies are giving their products away for free in hopes of free endorsments and repeat bussiness.

I am not surprised, I just think its hypocritical. If its "cheap advertising" I don't think its very effective. After all, which one of those stars is going to talk about the benefits of her liposuction? Which one of them are going to brag about the "tiny needles used in her botox?". Most of these stars spend their free time hiding out from the public. I don't think that they are going to tout the benefits of balancing their personal trainer with their manicurist with their palm pilots. There are no spontaneous endorsements that stand out to me, so I think that there are better ways these companies could garner the publicity they want.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I am not surprised, I just think its hypocritical. If its "cheap advertising" I don't think its very effective.

With all due respect, I don't think it's up to you or I to determine what's effective advertising and what's not. If they've been doing it for years and continue to do it today, it must have been deemed effective by someone in their companies.

 

[Chuck S]

Ahhh, but word would get around by "friend to friend" recommendation if someone was happy with his/her lipo. It is not the masses that watch the awards that the companies are advertsing for, it is the elite, wealther "friends of friends of friends" in Hollywood. You know the type of comments

"I'm think of having a little work done."
"Well, don't tell anyone but (insert celebrity name here) went to Dr. XYZ and he/she was very pleased."

 

[Beth76]

What was that? I think a pig just flew by my window! I agree with Dawn. I understand that this has been going on for awhile and I understand these things are "donated." Since when are celebrities charity cases? Apple giving out dozens of ipods to people who can more than afford them and probably already own does not make me want to go out and buy one. Why can't they give some ipods away to needy kids? That would make me go out and buy an ipod.

I just really don't get why there are so many people willing to give expensive things to multi-millionaires. It's not just gift bags. Celebrities receive clothes, cars, you name it. Just because it's the companies choice doesn't mean I have to agree with it. The practice sickens me.

 

[DawnCt1]

With all due respect, I don't think it's up to you or I to determine what's effective advertising and what's not. If they've been doing it for years and continue to do it today, it must have been deemed effective by someone in their companies.

Effective? or Expected??

 

[jbdreamer]

Effective? or Expected??

It is obviously effective. Companies actually have to bid to be able to even put their items in the gift bag. It's a big deal. Check out this artical from USA Today.
Oscar isn't the only gold handed out

 

[eclectics]

Since when do rich people not enjoy getting gifts or free stuff? Do they all exchange handshakes around the Christmas tree? I would think anyone would be excited to get all that loot! I'm sure a lot of stuff gets donated or given to staff etc. Why begrudge them some fun. They are people too.