The Balloon Bowl controversy has become a real red-button issue over the last week. Here’s coverage from all the skate media outlets that matter. The advertising industry weighs in as well.
We figured,since Dave’s original was filmed in our bowl, that we should add in our two cents about some of the things that seem to be overlooked in everyone else’s analysis.

First, Matt and Bob both rode for The Firm. Shouldn’t Lance Mountain be getting some sort of acclaim for having the finest eye for skate talent that possess the ability to do unbelievable tricks without being able to see your board? That’s incredible. Out of the hundreds of pros that exist, and considering both projects were done a few years apart and completely separate of each other, it came down to two teammates of a drastically underrated and underappreciated now defunct brand to pull the skating off. Coincidence?

Second, Spike Jonze and Ty have been ripped off numerous times with their own various projects throughout the years. How many Sabotage ripoffs have you seen?
You’ve got to think that there was some communication with Dave England before this thing was made. Always give the skateboarders the benefit of the doubt that the effort to do the right thing was made before blatantly ripping something off from other skate brethren. Until the info comes out that nobody talked with Dave at all we’ll reserve judgement.

Third, that Mediabistro article said Nestle spent $10 Million on this campaign. If that’s really true than we suddenly feel really offended by this. As memory serves, The Dept. didn’t charge Dave any sort of location fee for filming that original. That’s got to be worth at least a grand. Plus interest. Compounded over 3-4 years since that first clip was filmed. Twice. Also, at least half a dozen guys lent their lungs to filling those original balloons. The second time around guys got smarter and brought a little air compressor. You can’t put a dollar sign on the breath of life.

To sum up, we hope that if there is money to be made that Dave England gets a little sent his way. Same thing with Matt, though that’s probably up to Dave. Maybe Matt can be hitting his sponsors up for photo incentive for all the coverage he’s been getting. As for The Dept. we’re willing to settle out of court right now for 25 cases of candy bars.

Posted on Thursday, March 5th, 2009.

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