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Okay, you can all let out a sigh of relief! We decided to keep it light heading into spring break, so unless you’re Lindsay Lohan (or apparently one of her lawyers), you can relax knowing that you can enjoy your week on the beach or by the pool … or just watching the snow melt without the Ad Mavericks getting on your case!
If you’ve been too busy analyzing the college basketball world in preparation of your office pool, you may have missed Lindsay Lohan’s desperate attempt to thrust herself back into the media spotlight. ”Lindsay who?” you ask. We’re talking about the starlet from such cinematic masterpieces as “Mean Girls“, “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen” and “Freaky Friday“. THAT Lindsay.
Here’s the story: Apparently, Lohan was so taken aback by the resemblance of her in a recent E*Trade tv commercial that she felt the stock trading company was using her likeness. Here’s the real kicker: to back up the claim, Lohan’s lawyer argued that Lohan has single name recognition of her first name, “Lindsay” similar to the likes of Oprah, LeBron, Madonna, Tiger and Kobe. Here’s the spot:
Yep, Lohan thinks that’s worth a cool hundred million. Successful with her lawsuit, the spot would likely be the most viewed of any of the works that feature (or don’t feature) her.
As for E*Trade, they are basking in the fact that their investment in a Super Bowl spot is now getting a second wind. Almost 4 million views of the ad on YouTube alone? That’s crazy – not just because of the number of viewers, but also because when you run an ad on t.v. you’re buying ratings – hoping people are paying attention and not skipping over your spots with their DVR. When 4 million people view your spot on YouTube, it means 4 million people chose to watch it – meaning they were likely more attentive and engaged.
So, the big question is, will Lohan win? We hope for not. But when you put some high paid lawyers in a room together, crazy things can happen. Right Brett? 
(Hope our cage-fighting lawyer friend doesn’t take offense to this likeness and soak us for a million!)
Congratulations Lindsay Lohan, you’re our worst of the week!
Author: AdMavericks
www.lessingflynn.com
P.S. If you think everyone should leave Lindsay a-Lohan you can buy the t-shirt here.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Ha ha! Lindsay has been the worst for numerous things…the most recent is quite comical. Never again use the name Pete in any of your posts or I am going to sue you. Although, in her defense, I just Bing'd "Lindsay" and her images were 4th on the list, her website is 3rd. Interesting, I was assuming I would find other much more famous Lindsay's…guess her high paid PR people are doing their job.
Awesome!
Lindsay's lawyers are just trying to flatter their client by suggesting she is worthy of one name. Now…Cher, Beyonce, Madonna, MacGyver, those people have memorable names and actual accomplishments associated with their careers. All Lindsay has is a bad reputation. Her lawyers didn't do her any favors by pointing out that she shares a very common name with the baby in the ad. Good pick for worst of the week!
According to howmanyofme.com there are 98,811 people in the U.S. with the first name Lindsay, 441 with the last name Lohan, and only 1 Lindsay Lohan. That being said, the only name used in the ad was "Lindsay". I seriously doubt if being 1 out of almost 100,000 qualifies for trademark status. Maybe it's the "milk-a-holic" status that miffed her. Maybe she has a guilty conscious. Maybe she is lactose intolerant. As a bonafide aggie, I would be proud to be considered a "milk-a-holic"
I remember reading somewhere (it was either CNN.com or The New York Times) that the agency based the name "Lindsay" on a member of the team that developed it. I'm willing to bet that the judge will throw this out at the first court date.
Great comments. What about a counter suit by this sweet little baby actresses mother? PR surrounding the lawsuit could damage this poor little 18th month olds career simply by association with Lohan. No grounds for suit what so ever.