Jake Humphrey, This Isn't An iPad Advert!

[Robin]

The BBC have done a great job recently with its pre race build up content and this weekend's Ferrari interview and tribute montage was as ever top quality.

But what I can't stand since Monaco is that Jake Humphrey suddenly feels the need to wave his new bloody iPad all over the screen and why does he need the thing in his hand every damn second! Seriously all I see now is him waving it around (catching the light etc), its like the perfect advertising, oooh! look at how portable and functional it is... I can even show Mark Webber his own montage video!

Even what he actually uses it for isnt justified because it could be just as easily been done with a piece of paper handed to him or the device is given to him when needed. Seriously, he reads 1 Twitter message and yet has to hold it for an hour. Oh how did he ever manage to do his job before this gadget came along!

Plus it actually hinders him because he already holds a mic so he now can't point at things or open doors. He has to constantly put it under his arm.

Paying the TV license should mean we don't get BBC advertising anything, Yes I notice he tries to cover the Apple logo but I didnt need to hear that Hamilton bought it for him and imported it from the states etc. When Legard wont even say 'Vodaphone' Logo when describing where the F-Duct is I find it ironic that is OK to flaunt this for 2 hours each racing weekend, Apple UK must love it!

Robin.

 

[Ardius]

Jake has a response for you funnily enough:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jakehumphrey/2010/05/my_turkish_grand_prix_video_bl.html

But honestly, who gives a flying one? Only someone who is a little pretentious when it comes to products methinks. Does it really matter what he uses? I'm pretty sure the BBC didn't pay for it - Jake got it on his own whim. We could also complain about the sponsorship of Red Bull on TV, all those sponsors logos everywhere, oh noes.

I hate Apple products, but I don't really have a problem seeing 1 iPad. It hasn't changed the coverage, Jake isn't singing praises about it etc. A real non-issue.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Write a letter of complaint to the BBC. I've done so before (about video games on Alan Titchmarsh Show) and actually got a detailed, personal reply from Ofcom.

If I'd watch all of the F1 I'd probably write about the iPad aswel, it's not like it's new technology. My mate has had a tablet PC for 4 years...

But honestly, who gives a flying one? Only someone who is a little pretentious when it comes to products methinks. Does it really matter what he uses? I'm pretty sure the BBC didn't pay for it - Jake got it on his own whim. We could also complain about the sponsorship of Red Bull on TV, all those sponsors logos everywhere, oh noes.

I hate Apple products, but I don't really have a problem seeing 1 iPad. It hasn't changed the coverage, Jake isn't singing praises about it etc. A real non-issue.

It's frustrating because tablet PCs aren't anything new. My mate has had one for three years so why, if it makes his job so much easier, does he see it appropriate to use such a device now?

I like the BBC because it's not trying to bombard me with adverts every few moments.

 

[F1GTR]

Paying the TV license should mean we don't get BBC advertising anything, Yes I notice he tries to cover the Apple logo but I didnt need to hear that Hamilton bought it for him and imported it from the states etc.

Hamilton bought the iPad for Kovalainen (and charged him a comission on top of that ), not Humphrey - and Legard was the one mentioning it. I find it quite funny how you're getting your knickers in a twist over this. If it was a non Apple product I'm 100% sure that you wouldn't be making such a thread. If we go by your logic, you might as well take F1 off of the BBC considering it's a two hour procession of advertising. They're using an iPad as it is much more convenient than the old clipboard he used, and I honestly doubt the iPad hinders him any more so.

 

[Ardius]

It's frustrating because tablet PCs aren't anything new. My mate has had one for three years so why, if it makes his job so much easier, does he see it appropriate to use such a device now?

I like the BBC because it's not trying to bombard me with adverts every few moments.

There is no evidence that it is product placement or advertising. Why aren't you complaining about the use of a mobile phone earlier? His shoes? His shirt?
I mean come on, does it really matter?

How useful you think it is, is your opinion. But I see no proof that the BBC have been paid for Jake to use it. Honestly, it sounds like Apple-haters looking for a time to complain, it doesn't affect the coverage one bit.

Seriously, if this is the biggest complaint you have about the coverage, then they are doing a mighty fine job.

 

[ExigeEvan]

There is no evidence that it is product placement or advertising. Why aren't you complaining about the use of a mobile phone earlier? His shoes? His shirt?
I mean come on, does it really matter?

How useful you think it is, is your opinion. But I see no proof that the BBC have been paid for Jake to use it.

If you can't understand the marketing ploy behind one of the most hyped peices of hardware making it onto major TV coverage the weekend of it's release then I think you need to have a quick flick through a marketing book.

 

[Ardius]

If you can't understand the marketing ploy behind one of the most hyped peices of hardware making it onto major TV coverage the weekend of it's release then I think you need to have a quick flick through a marketing book.

I can understand where it could be marketing. But I have yet to see your proof that the BBC was paid or got a discount on it or were in anyway involved.

Jake himself said he bought it from Kovalainen who bought it from Hamilton. Are BBC employees not allowed to spend their wages now?

You are making the assumption it is marketing, but there is little to suggest it is beyond it featuring obviously quite prominently when its held by the presenter of the show. He can't exactly use it and avoid it being focused on.
If Jake finds it useful and he bought it himself, I can't see what you want them to do? It hasn't impacted the show, they aren't saying "look how great this product from Apple is!" and there is no proof there is any money the BBC is getting from it.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I can understand where it could be marketing. But I have yet to see your proof that the BBC was paid or got a discount on it or were in anyway involved.

Jake himself said he bought it from Kovalainen who bought it from Hamilton. Are BBC employees not allowed to spend their wages now?

You are making the assumption it is marketing, but there is little to suggest it is beyond it featuring obviously quite prominently when its held by the presenter of the show. He can't exactly use it and avoid it being focused on.
If Jake finds it useful and he bought it himself, I can't see what you want them to do? It hasn't impacted the show, they aren't saying "look how great this product from Apple is!" and there is no proof there is any money the BBC is getting from it.

I completely agree that it is purely speculation, not denying that at all. And I'm not saying the he's done anything wrong or deserves any sort of impression that he has.

However, I do think it's poor judgement by the BBC to allow it. The BBC recieves money almost as a tax, and thus must act approriatly, part of this is not including product placement when it can. Allowing a highly publicised product that has just been launched to feature prominently (and lets be fair, people discuss what the presenters are wearing, let alone their latest gadgets) on the weekend of its launch is in my opinion a bad choice.

 

[Ardius]

He was using it last race at Monaco too, way before the launch. That is just coincidental.

I don't think it warrants the attention its getting though, why do you care so much when its an Apple product and not say the mobile phone earlier? What about the Alpinestars fireproof suits the BBC crew (Kravitz and McKenzie) wear too?

 

[Robin]

If we go by your logic, you might as well take F1 off of the BBC considering it's a two hour procession of advertising.

The advertising on the cars is nothing to do with advertsing from the people covering the race. The TV licence pays for the BBC and its the BBC alone that have to honor the basis of the licence which includes no blatant product placement (no mention of brand or images of logos). I would call waving this thing around, showing the logo and even mentioning the word 'iPad' a breach of those terms. They can say 'Red Bull' because its the name of a team.

They're using an iPad as it is much more convenient than the old clipboard he used, and I honestly doubt the iPad hinders him any more so.

He never used to have the clipboard permanently in his hands. If you watched him go up to the Red Bull motor home with the iPad through some doors, talked to Mark, then went back out you would have seen all the trouble he went through with that thing.

Because this is the easiest way to press a door button...

Also when he wants to point to things on the cars in the padock he now struggles. Its always like he's fighting not to drop it, just put the damn thing down then! There is no reason to always have it with him when he uses it once in an hour! And because of his hand gestures you end up with money shots like this!

Jake himself said he bought it from Kovalainen who bought it from Hamilton. Are BBC employees not allowed to spend their wages now?

The fact we know the whole 'saga' behind this particular iPad shows that the BBC are talking about this when they shouldnt be. This information shouldnt even be known, let alone broadcast. So I need to know when Jake gets a new pair of 'insert brand here' shoes from 'insert racing driver here'?!

Robin.

 

[sesselpupser]

I wrote a big long post about how ridiculous this argument sounds (note the word 'sounds', not 'is'), so I'll just say this.

The iPad has not made one bit of difference to how Jake does his job, and I know that if it ever does become a hinderance he'll ditch it faster than KERS. He is a professional and will have considered the iPad as a professional rather than someone looking to be 'cool', he would have weighed up the pros and cons and he definitely would have considered conversations like this.

As F1GTR said, if it WAS a tablet PC or wasn't an Apple product, this thread wouldn't exist, mainly because you wouldn't know what to call the abominal contraption that replaced his prior archaic paper-based system, it just so happens to be an incredibly popular contraption with a memorable name.

In closing, did you ever get upset about Life on Mars and the line 'Fire up the Quattro!'?

 

[crooky369]

Here's his options if he wants to keep it.

I think personally the baby carrier just edges it over the jumbo sized pockets.

 

[lalaurentide]

I don't know if a British in a pink shirt is a "money shot".

 

[Seismica]

I don't know if a British in a pink shirt is a "money shot".

He's tall and masculine, he can pull pink off

Whilst the iPad does attract the attention of the viewer at times, I don't think it is that significant considering the exposure and the hype that already exists around the iPad. You wouldn't know what it was if you didn't already know, and the Apple logo is never clearly shown (He doesn't put it right infront of the camera for all to see basically).

It serves a purpose; The viewers can interact more with the show because he can check emails and tweets every now and then (The presenter can do it himself rather than relying on one of the production team forwarding messages to him). As we saw with Mark Webber, he can show montages and videos in face to face interviews which is a good thing. Earlier in the year when they interviewed Button and Hamilton they brought them both in to a studio to interview them so they could see the footage on the big screen. Instead they could just use the iPad. I think it makes for better viewing to be honest. I'm not about to buy an iPad after what I have seen, because I am not a TV presenter who needs to refer to his script, check emails and tweets on the move etc.

Take the advice from ExigeEvan, send a letter of complaint to the BBC if you are not happy about it.

 

[PeterJB]

QUESTION: What does an iPad actually do??!

 

[lbsf1]

I noticed this that he is now constantly waving it around. I think it is ok if he has the f1 stats and times on it so it improves the show. However all he seems to be doing is waving it around.

Who here would laugh if he dropped it on live tv?

 

[SUPER NUMBBER]

If I didn't know any better, I'd put it past Apple to do this. But this is exactly how Apple is advertising the iPad. Anybody remember Stephen Colbert at the Grammy's?

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

QUESTION: What does an iPad actually do??!

Answer:
The same things an iPod Touch does.

You can view videos, browse the internet regularly as long as you don't need the flash content, etc.

 

[Only_in_f1]

To be fair to Jake, all season long he's had a gadget to read emails on. I think it was the Ipod touch before the IPad came out. Thing is the touch went into his pocket and came out when the Red Button Forum came out.

All a fuss over nothing, it's handy for him and i'm not bothered what he does with it.

 

[Alex.]

Take it back 20 years "presenter name, this isn't a clipboard advert!"

Times change. Not much of a deal to be honest.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I think it was the Ipod touch before the IPad came out. Thing is the touch went into his pocket and came out when the Red Button Forum came out.

I think it was a Blackberry. I noticed that more than the iPad.

 

[Only_in_f1]

I think it was a Blackberry. I noticed that more than the iPad.

It was some sort of fruit anyway

 

[SUPER NUMBBER]

Well it is annoying to have him drawing attention to it when he barely gets any practical use for it while on camera. I mean, did they get a sudden revelation about how handy it is to have such a fragile device being precariously held while gesturing around a space filled to the brim with obstacles such as an F1 garage? Like someone said, it's almost as if he's struggling to navigate it around the paddock without dropping it. It comes off as if he's actually trying to get it on camera.

I don't know how lax the BBC is about employees making decisions about the equipment they use for work, but I hardly think that he'd be allowed without their consent. Then again, it's not like F1 is in dire need of more advertisement, but we all know how all these brands are trying to intruduce themselves subtly (Hey there, Marlboro). It probably wouldn't raise much suspicion if 1) it wasn't such a new product being used in such a high profile show and 2) we didn't know this specific company had done something similar before.

 

[lbsf1]

Idea to jake to get that Ipod holder that is on the advert at the top of this thread. It would look better, if he did drop it it wouldn't be as damaged and there would be no conspiricy theory's.

 

[F1 fan]

It's really not an issue. IMO... The advantage over a clipboard is that it can be updated by the production team, while it's in his hand.

I don't see the problem. It's not like he's running about holding it out in front of him like it's fashionable...

Just realised this is my 100th post.

 

[BlacqueJacques]

Snore !

 

[SUPER NUMBBER]

It's not like he's running about holding it out in front of him like it's fashionable...

That's pretty much what he's doing now, if it got any more coverage you wouldn't be able to tell it was an F1 show...

 

[Ardius]

That's pretty much what he's doing now, if it got any more coverage you wouldn't be able to tell it was an F1 show...

He's the presenter, wouldn't it be more obvious if he attempted to hide it behind his back?
If the man wants to use an iPad and he finds it useful, how on earth do you want him to avoid it getting shown on TV?

I still can't believe people care about this.

 

[chromatic9]

It did seem he was struggling to read whatever small phone he had before though, holding it at different angles etc. Maybe he was doing product placing back then?

If he genuinely struggles with those small gadgets and can read better using that glass dinner plate mat then by all means. I think this is more down to how obvious and ridiculous in size it looks (and not much features to boot) compared to todays electronics, and delicate too. Something between an iphone and ipad in size would still be easy to read, practical for him and less in the viewers face.

Watching in 3D could be a problem for people with ipad phobia.

Crazy thread but have to admit I have an urge to grab it and launch it down the pit lane.

And if the BBC are reading, thanks you've done a fantastic job with F1 coverage, website, iplayer, practice sessions etc on the red button and later appearing in full on the iplayer if you missed them.

Only thing I really noticed is Murray Walker doesn't feature on the bbc's site as much as last year. I'd expect this is down to Murray though.

 

[The Outlaw]

I still can't believe people care about this.

+1