Work locally, think globally

My husband was watching golf today. I don't normally watch golf unless I need a nap. During the Bridgestone World Golf Championships, Jim Nantz was a-flutter as Tiger Woods overtook the lead. Then it was as if the golfers just stopped for 5 or 10 minutes for the sponsor kiss-up interview.

The Director of the PGA Tour and the Bridgestone Corp. Chairman gathered on national television to tout the renewed sponsor relationship. Along with Mr. Nantz, these 3 out of touch gentlemen proceeded to discuss things to which the average American - if they hadn't been lulled to sleep already - couldn't possibly relate. I'm a capitalist and Lord knows my livelihood relies on a company's desire to market itself, but do you think 67 laid off Bridgestone employees in Bloomington, IL and over 150 Bridgestone employees recently laid off in LaVergne, TN want to hear about how "forward thinking" Bridgestone's announcement is being viewed by the PGA. To be fair, the reason these plants closed is because the need for truck tires is greatly diminished. But I wonder if these ex-employees got great severance packages?

I don't want to ignore the fact that this Bridgestone sponsorship brings lots of money to the local economy in Akron. $30 million is significant. This information is important to the local community and should be the lead story in the evening news in Akron and even Cleveland. The last time I looked, Tiger Woods was a talented golfer, and also the richest athlete in the world. The worst part of this little sponsorship lovefest was that it's likely that no one considered the forgotten focus group.