Can Two Chords Re-Energize A City?

The Chrysler/Eminem commercial masterpiece that you saw during the Super Bowl and we blogged about here continues to resonate. I have heard from many of you during the past few weeks about its power and impact.

It’s been called a love letter from Eminem, and in the city we call The D, it has started a pride-fest that was necessary as the rebuilding continues.

While Eminem starred and the copy in the 2-minute spot was nothing short of brilliant, the soundtrack – “Lose Yourself” – has people talking, even though it’s not even close to being new.

Local Detroit producer Jeff Bass has been in the studio for many Eminem tunes, and this piece from WXYZ-TV’s Stephen Clark illustrates how inspiration can work in strange, unplanned ways.

>EMAIL RECIPIENTS: CLICK HERE TO VIEW WXYZ STEPHEN CLARK/JEFF BASS VIDEO<

In the same way that Zeppelin’s “Rock N’ Roll” made us wake up and take note of Cadillac, or that Bob Seger’s “Like A Rock” re-energized Chevy Trucks, a classic song, an iconic photo, or even a great morning show bit or celebrity interview can make magic.

That’s because when you create something powerful, it can have lasting impact. Great content – whether it’s a picture, a painting, a commercial, a promo, a contest, or a song – can go on forever. In this case, a decade after it was written in a venue that was totally unexpected. And turbocharged by an 8-cylinder, high-powered social media machine that is sitting in all of our driveways.

Powerful ideas are often simple little works of art that can be morphed, modified, sampled, and repurposed by others. And then virally spread through common tools on every PC and smartphone on the planet.

Just two chords.

There’s no stopping a great idea.

What’s yours?

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Fred Jacobs

President & Founder at Jacobs Media

Fred Jacobs founded Jacobs Media in 1983, and quickly became known for the creation of the Classic Rock radio format.

Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.

In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.

Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.

Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.