You couldn't write cheap fiction better than this:
Las Vegas, 6 January 2011, the biggest consumer electronics show you can imagine.
Polaroid, a familiar name in photography formerly led by a famous and distinguished American scientist, later bankrupted by unscrupulous businessmen, bought up by a company which specialized in foreclosures, then rents its name for license fees, jumps back into the photo business, hires a trendy singer as creative director, books this show, hypes its products, then sends off its CEO in high-top Keds and a scarf with the singer and songwriter to introduce the products covered in wrinkled rags on a cheezy set -- and, get this, only one of the products gets a demo. It prints a photo taken by a cell phone, and not even an iPhoto, because that won't work with this equipment.
Obviously, this isn't your grandfather's Polaroid. This grandfather is offended by Unlady Gaga's use of four letter words while introducing the products. What kind of message does this send to her audience of children?
What does this say about Polaroid's top management? Except for Bobby Sager, a published photographer as well as philanthropist, do the others understand photography? Do they understand trade shows? Two of the three products were not demonstrated taking a photo.
Where's the beef? Better yet, where were the photos?
For another take, click on this link by perceptive tech writer Mic Wright of London UK.
Images courtesy Polaroid Corporation.
