Was Tom Haverford a good promotional marketer?
Depending on who you are, Tom Haverford is a marketing genius or an idiot. Played by comedian Aziz Ansari on the beloved and recently ended NBC sitcom, “Parks and Recreation,” Haverford was an entrepreneur with a penchant for outlandish promotional items. Giving away promotional pens was not his style. Giving away Snakejuice, his branded liqueur, was, according to Vulture.
Haverford spent more time formulating business ideas with his partner Jean-Ralphio Saperstein and abandoning the ventures almost immediately rather than dedicating his energies to the Pawnee, Indiana parks department, his place of employment.
Are you looking to get creative with your branded apparel or swag as Haverford, would say? Then here’s a trip back through the sitcom’s seasons to show you what not to do when it comes to marketing yourself. But by all means, if the man is your entrepreneurial idol, then go for it.
Entertainment 720
Pawnee’s one and only entertainment media conglomerate, and the brainchild of Haverford and Saperstein, handled the public relations and marketing for the well-dressed and discerning gentlemen of Haverford’s ilk.
Launched in mid-2011 and bankrupt by October of the same year, mostly due to overspending on office amenities like a indoor basketball court and luxurious furniture, the company was able to release a promotional DVD to celebrate Lil’ Sebastian, Pawnee’s famous miniature horse.
Unfortunately, Entertainment 720 didn’t produce or market much during their months in business. However, they were fans of promotional items, but maybe the wrong ones for a PR firm.
According to the fictional business’ website, the company gives away fly swatters, foot emery boards and packages of breath mints, all with the “Entertainment 720” globe stamped onto the offerings.
Before the show’s end, Haverford also pitched a formal line of wear that includes tuxedos for babies.
“Are you looking to get creative with your branded apparel, or swag, as Haverford would say?”
Rent-a-Swag
Speaking of swag, one of the few Haverford businesses still open in the Parks and Recreation universe, is his venture into clothing rental. Opened in 2012, the marketing mastermind/dolt decided to open the retail shop to rent out his massive wardrobe to Indiana’s teens and their parents who couldn’t afford big name labels or hated how their parents dressed them. Amazingly, the shop is a win-win. Looking for ascots, tracksuits or eyeglasses without lens? Rent-a-Swag has you covered.
Scent industry
Everybody can appreciate a dab of perfume or cologne here or there, but Pawnee’s idea man took the scent industry one step further with a host of product concepts that he hoped would revolution the business.
Haverford paired smell with tech when he came up with a phone that smelled good, according to Inc. magazine. However, that wouldn’t be the only perfumed idea to spring out of his head. Take Tommy Cologne for instance or Toddler Cologne, includes the catchphrase: “Baby, you smell good.”
If all the scents are overpowering your nose, then Talking Tissues, his other entry into toiletries might give you some relief if it ever came to fruition. Besides the convenience of having disposable tissues at the ready, the box would also give you an encouraging message every time you pull a sheet from it. You can get some inspiration and comfort all while blowing your nose.
Miscellaneous business
The marketing, clothing and toiletry business weren’t the only industries the faux mogul tried during the sitcom’s seven season run. Are you a fashionista on budget, but want to add a new sheen to your wardrobe? Besides Rent-a-Swag, you could take Haverford’s Sparkle Suds idea and make it a reality by combining glitter and laundry detergent.
However, if money is no matter to you and you feel like you should “treat yo self,” as Haverford and parks department colleague Donna Meagle would say, then give Snail Mail or Eclipse nightclub a try. The luxury escargot delivery service and the $5,000 a head cover charge at Eclipse are just two of the businessman’s high roller concepts yet to receive funding or promotion.
While he’s not known for his thriftiness, Haverford is a self-made impresario who might just take marketing and promotion to eccentric depths. Maybe he’s lacking in common sense, but he’s certainly not missing any heart when it comes to promoting his myriad list of concepts. By the way, Entertainment 720 napkins and breath mints might still be available.