When I was a kid in the late fifties, I remember watching Barbara Billingsley say to Hugh Beaumont “Ward, don’t you think you’ve been too hard on the Beaver?” I’m talking – of course – about the long-running hit TV show "Leave it to Beaver” starring Jerry Mathers as a little boy nicknamed “Beaver.”

Today with our knotty “need to be politically correct” environment, that show – as innocent and innocuous as it was – might need a different name.

Just don't say "beaver."
Last week, FOX network rejected Go Daddy's Super Bowl ad because an actor referred to a beaver – a replica beaver that was, in fact, being portrayed – as a “beaver.” We were told that under no circumstance could we use that word, and if we didn’t say the word “beaver,” the ad would be approved.

A beaver by any other name.
Call me old fashioned, but I believe here in America it's ridiculous to have to refer to a beaver (the furry, dam building, rodent-like swimming mammal) by something other than its real name, which happens to be “beaver.” So I refused to bend and refer to the beaver as “whiskers” or “furry friend” or as a "little engineer that specializes in building small dams." Darn it. There’s simply nothing wrong with calling a beaver, a beaver!

It would have been our best ad ever!
I withdrew the rejected ad and will instead show it on Super Bowl Sunday on the Go Daddy Web site. I've shown that "beaver ad," which stars Danica Patrick and is formally titled “Exposure," to perhaps 30 people. Without exception, everyone thought it was the best and funniest ad we’ve ever done. They all remarked: "what a shame Fox won’t let you show it."

Listen to Danica's take on the whole thing.
BTW, Danica Patrick will be my guest on Go Daddy Live this Wednesday at 4 p.m. (EST) to discuss the “Exposure” ad and her feelings regarding the word "beaver." It should be a fun and spirited discussion. Go Daddy Live is broadcast over the Internet, and if you miss the live show, it remains available online for whenever you can listen. For more information please click here.

No beavers were hurt.
Animal lovers take note: no live beavers were used in filming the "Exposure Ad" — mostly because they are really nasty animals and bite like hell. Instead, we used Animatronics Beavers.

Another attempt. Another reject.
Now we’re in the process of dealing with Fox on another ad and we’ve had that ad rejected as well. You’ll never guess in a million years why it was rejected. The reason for rejection had nothing to do with anything that might be remotely considered risqué or inappropriate for television viewing. Since we’re still in negotiations with Fox concerning that ad, I cannot release the reason for its rejection.

Not to worry.
Be that as it may, we are continuing to work with Fox and once again – as we have in the past 3 Super Bowls — are fast approaching this year’s big game without an approved ad. Nevertheless, I feel confident we will work through our differences with Fox and get through the approval process soon.

Here are a few candid photos of Danica Patrick and Candice Michelle that were taken during the Super Bowl filming process:






At least they spelled our name right.
Victoria's Secret ("VS") will be advertising in this year's Super Bowl for the first time since 1999. The VS ad will feature a Super Model wearing lingerie. When USA Today asked about the ad, a VS spokesman said "The ad is classy. This isn't GoDaddy.com." The USA Today then wrote: "Go Daddy, back for a fourth-consecutive Super Bowl, is expected again to flaunt buxom women." The implied message here: Suspiciously thin looking women are classy. I think the message this sends to women — particularly young girls — is not realistic. Since the majority of women who purchase from VS most certainly sport larger sizes than Super Models, I think they would be "classier" if their commercial instead implied that it's quite normal to occasionally have something to eat.

Amanda does TV.
Go Daddy Girl, world-class swimmer and 7-time Olympic medalist Amanda Beard now stars in a special Go Daddy segment on “The Best Damn Sports Show... Period” on the Fox Sports Network. Amanda’s first segment aired January 9th. The segment was GoDaddy-esque in every sense and Amanda did a great job. In case you missed it, you can still see it by clicking here.

A bike ride to help the kids.
Finally, we finished the year with a motorcycle ride in Tucson, Arizona. It was the annual bike ride to benefit Aviva Children's Services, a non-profit group that helps abused and neglected kids. As "Grand Marshal" for the Sun Riders' 26th Annual Motorcycle Toy Parade, I had the pleasure of leading about 2,000 bikers — all there to help raise funds for a wonderful cause — through the streets of Tucson. Our Go Daddy Live production crew was on the scene for the event. Please click here to see the video.

Until next time.