I have no problem with the mention of Patron and Hennessy in the songs of musicians around the world. I have no issue with Dublin Football captain Bryan Cullen announcing that he will see everyone in Coppers tonight after a fantastic All-Ireland final victory. I do, however, have concerns with Calum Best announcing that he will be opening a George Best themed pub in Dublin's city centre. For a man who so sadly joined the whole world in watching his fathers career demise and who subsequently died at the age of 59 having publicly and privately battled alcoholism, I ask the question; why endorse this?
I agree that the memory of George Best and his achievements should live on for years, and his son should undoubtedly be proud of his father but why not a cafe, a shop or a museum?
Calum's endorsement has reportedly upset members of Best's family, including his sister Barbara who set up the George Best foundation to help people struggling with alcohol abuse. The areas of alcohol sponsorship and celebrity endorsement of alcohol brands are being discussed more and more in media and marketing. Many query whether both encourage under age drinking and over consumption.
People should consume alcohol responsibly and enjoy the products on offer. But the business men and women who run the industry and develop the marketing strategies to promote their brands and establishments must be more conscious of who is seeing their message and what those messages are. I look forward to the opening of Bestie's bar and Calum's endorsement provided the focus is on responsible drinking. I think with hindsight that is what George would want too. Article references can be found at; http://goo.gl/RzemJ
I would completely agree with the above post. This seems an extremely inappropriate manner in which to honour his late father
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ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that this idea is a very inapproproiate way for Calum to honour his late father, I do think it has the potential to be a success. While it is a George Best themed bar, what if it were to televise all major sporting events and have more of a focus on being a sports bar, similar to those in the USA?
ReplyDeleteI can understand Calum wanting to ensure that his father's name lives on, but Barbara has managed to do the same in a much more appropriate way.
ReplyDeleteI would agree that the opening of Bestie's bar has the potential to be a great event. However, with Calum Best endorsing the bar with his reputation of heavy drinking and partying, the bar may attract a younger, heavier drinking crowd which could have a negative effect on the anti-alcoholic image that Barbara Best has tried so hard to promote.
I agree with Mark that it could be a success if they were to focus on the sports aspect. There is such a loyal fan base out there for George Best.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I question the levels of enjoyment that people could derive from consuming alcohol in a business which was inspired by someone who suffered from alcoholism.
I think this is quite a lazy option for Calum Best he is simply leveraging his fathers name in the opening of this bar. In my opinion Calum Best is mostly know for his man about town image and 'Bar owner' fits into this nicely. Barbara Best is justified in her negativity towards the launch of this new venture as it would take away from the hard work she has put in to her foundation. As Conor suggested perhaps a museum dedicated to the memory of George Best and his triumphs in the sporting world would be more appropriate.
ReplyDeleteWhile I wasn't outraged at Calum's poor choice in tribute to his father, it struck me that this is extremely insensitive to the rest of George Best's family who may be more sensitive about his illness...
ReplyDeleteWhen George Best was dying The News of the World published the "don't die like me" picture of Best on his deathbed. This was at his request. Best wanted his death to be seen as a warning for all those who were, are, and may in the future, be suffering from alcholism. I think Calum is trying to make money out of his father's death and disease something I do not agree with. I believe, he's making a mockery of his Father's memory...
ReplyDeleteI agree that Calum's decision to honour his father in this manner is disrespectful to those suffering from alcoholism. There was controversy when George Best received a liver transplant and continued to drink alcohol. I feel that a pub is an inappropriate tribute and has the potential to resurface anger within people who disagreed with Best's alcohol behaviour.
ReplyDeleteCalum Best is doing what he's always done....writing cheques and hoping George's name will be enough to cash them. His greediness to make a quick buck in any way possible has ruined what little credibility and sympathy people may have had for him.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a shocking move by Calum Best. The irony of it all, opening a bar to honour your father who passed away at an early age due to a life long battle with alcoholism. I think its sending out the wrong image and there are so many other proactive ways in which a football hero like George Best could be honoured.
ReplyDeleteAll Calum Best is interested in is making money off his fathers name, as bad as that is, this article takes the meaning to a whole new level. His greed is shining through as usual, this is no way to "honour" your late father who battled alcoholism and consequently died from it.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a bad move by Calum Best. He must have expected a backlash from the media for this. It is easy for us to judge when we are not in the situation - he could have very personal reasons for dedicating the bar to his father however the rumored upset from his family members may prove that Best could merely be doing this as a publicity stunt.
ReplyDeleteI know Calum Best says that he wants to honour his late father which is a great idea, but doing so by opening a pub in memory of him is quite frankly a slap in the face. There is a certain party scene that Calum Best is part of and I think he is just using his fathers name to cash in on it.
ReplyDeleteUnder different circumstances, I actually think that Bestie's Bar would be a huge success. However, considering his late father publicly battled with alcoholism, I think this is a wrong move by Callum Best. Instead of supporting his sister, the George Best Foundation and also people who also suffer with alcoholism, he is disrespecting his fathers memory and I think it is extremely inappropriate.
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