For the past month and a half, noted cruiser and talker, Ronnnnnnnnn Owens has been touting a June Mediterranean cruise, for 9 days no less!, on his KGO show.
--Two potent notables:
1. Owens never refers to the fact that he's cruising free, compliments of the company. OK, that's all well and good; after all, it's "unpredictable" Ronnnn. (Check the brochure and pass the peanuts).
2. Owens conspicuously NEVER mentions the cost of this cruise in the spot. Perhaps there's a reason. I called: perky lady tells me cruise price is $6,572, "and that includes 'economy airfare to Rome!"
$6600 bucks. (And it's all inclusive!) Well, damn, I hope so.
That's a lot of mattress and cruise ads. And you wonder why he wanted to continue to keep on talking. I hope Jared gave his stamp of approval.
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I don't understand why this is an issue. The cruise is high end with an open bar and covers gratuities. I'd go if I could afford a luxury cruise.
ReplyDeleteGive it up, Rich. He's reading ads. He's either got copy to read, or talking points to hit, all within sixty seconds. He's only going to mention the points the sponsor wants him to mention. Anyone who's too naive or stupid to realize he's being compensated - in some way - for his participation is probably not the target audience anyway.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it with you? You're like a junkyard dog, grabbing and holding onto any piece of trash no matter how worthless it is.
No, You give it up. It's my joint. Be the lapdog, me? Nope. You can.
DeleteTypical Rich response to any criticism. Instead of responding to the substance .... "It's my blog"
DeleteSounds like a five-year-old!
Only $700 per day. Such a bargain. Is that who's listening to Ronn now -- those who can afford a luxury cruise? I guess that's the crowd he prefers to rub shoulders with.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 11:02. The price for this trip is quite reasonable. It is common for "celebrities" to do this sort of thing with cruises. For instance, there is the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise twice a year--artists go free and actually get some cash for their time. Ronn doesn't need to say he's getting comped--it's sort of a given.
ReplyDeleteHow is this any different than any other celebrity cruise or the Giants spring training for adults?
DeleteCelebrities get paid. What, they're supposed to work for free?
He's a "celebrity?" Maybe for mattresses.
DeleteRich, I find it terribly ironic that through your rant about Ronn's cruise, you never once mention Karels 9 day stay in Ireland now on, and for the past five years. Totally free to him, two sponsors, sponsorship as well by an Irish tourism group and not a word from you.
DeleteYou're not fair nor funny. You hate Karel and yet let him slide. Ronn at least has credibilty, Karel doesn't. Free plane travel, free hotel, free activities and much more but nothing from the King of SF Media. Not very "Kingly" if you ask me.
I asked about this and was told he paid. If that's not the case, I'll look into it.
DeleteFor THREE people? I don't think so. He had two "friends" along to Ireland this trip. He was begging for sponsors, Farm Fresh Flowers and a hotel coffee place came through, as did the Irish Tourism Bureau, which bought him a blazer and a pair of shoes when Aire Lingus lost his baggage.
DeleteHe didn't pay a dime.
You'll never know. KGO had nothing to do with it but to give him permission to go. His syndicated trainwreck paid for most of the tab.
Rich, you are coming off as envious. So what?
ReplyDeleteThanks Ronnnnnnnn
DeleteIn the past, I've heard Ronn acknowledge on the air the freebies he got from doing the Lexus, Sleep Train and cruise ads. He did it during separate conversation, not as part of the spots. No biggie. Common practice, and he's not a news guy. JW
ReplyDeleteBroadcast personalities (from various stations) have been hosting, and advertising, these cruises for decades. None of the spots makes any on-air disclosures about the host/hostess being "compted." Nor, has any of the spots specified the cost of passage.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that the various corporate attorneys ... and the IRS ... have a handle on it.
Don't lose sleep over it.
Maybe it is just me, but I think it is a good thing he'll be on a cruise he has hyped. If it sucks (see Carnival Cruise Lines) you know who to go to.
ReplyDeleteBut while we're on the topic of endorsements/reads - does every radio person have a sleep number bed? Do they get free gold when they do those "I have gold and you should too" spots"
Richhhhhhhh:
ReplyDeleteI've donated to your cause in the past but you're losing credibility with me here. I think you have a personal vendetta against him, regardless of what you say. He's done these cruises a few times in the past and they've always been on Crystal, which is a LUXURY cruise line and I mean luxury. A lot less passengers than your average cruise, which means more crew per passenger. I'm not surprised at the price. Without the airfare, it's still very expensive. But that's understood if you know anything about cruise lines. Of course he's going to be comped. What, you expect him to pay? It's part of the what the cruise line pays for his endorsement and presence on the cruise. And yes, he's a celebrity, whether you like it or not and no, I'm not connected in any way with anybody or anything related to KGO or Ronn. Just a guy who's starting to wonder if your success on the radio in Santa Cruz has gone to your head. I, for one, think you should lay off. This subject is really worn out.
Gene Burns used to host these cruises and I don't recall him ever divulging his comp nor the cost for the trip. Nor did I ever hear him criticized for this.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I dislike Ronn, also, but I think I must be fair....
$1700-$2000 of that is airfare. Not a bad price actually.
ReplyDeleteHow about this? I would pay twice that amount for any cruise that Ronnnn Owennnns was NOT on.
ReplyDeleteIn defense of Ron, a scarce commodity on this site, he's done these cruises forever and never mentioned price. What's the big deal? KZST up here in the NorthBay has done them and they are touted as the LARGEST turnout for a radio station promo. And of COURSE it's taken for granted that Ronn is getting this comped as he's a bankable "talent" and still has a large fan base. So get over it Rich.
ReplyDeleteif the cruise fits your lifestyle, go. life is too short to get caught up in ugly.
ReplyDelete