It’s no secret that T-Shirts are a perfect canvas for political commentary. Bumper sticker
activism isn’t just a Berkeley thing anymore; more and more of you are rewarding your inner activist by choosing to express yourselves from bumper to bumper and beyond.

I’ve called this phenomenon “Getting it off your mind and onto your chest”; Americablog writer John Aravosis coined the phrase “T-Shirt blogging” a few years back while I was on the phone with him (thanks John). And this week, a federal judge in Georgia called it “protected speech” in an important ruling that ensures your First Amendment right to express yourself via the almighty T-Shirt.

Some of you may not want to wear this T-shirt. Some of you may disagree with its message, and even more of you mind find it distasteful. But anyone not on Wal-Mart’s legal team can most likely agree that this design isn’t going to be confused with the Wal-Mart logo.

If Wal-Mart was truly concerned about negative brand impact, to bring this particular design and the rationale behind it into the public eye via a lawsuit is a curious move. The design is now not only out there being discussed in various articles and blogs, but now also stands defiantly and symbolically as testament to the American everyman’s right to self-expression – even if that self-expression offends a corporate monolith.

Here’s the other thing: suing someone because you don’t like what they’re saying isn’t likely to turn the conversation in your favor. Malcolm Gladwell covers this in “The Tipping Point,” using McDonald’s disdain for the term “McJob” as the example. As an interesting sidenote, someone at McDonald’s seems to have read this book; the company has recently begun a movement to change the meaning of the terminology based on action the corporation has taken.

Certainly, a company highlighting its efforts to improve opportunities for its workforce is more likely to contribute positively to the public discourse of its practices and brand than suing a little guy for saying something that annoyed some executives, particularly in an age where information travels at the speed of unlimited and unfettered fingers flying over a keyboard.

(Irony of the day: Wal-Mart actually sells “The Tipping Point.” May someone in Marketing make good use of the employee discount…)

So, the moral of the story: actions speak louder than lawsuits when it comes to influencing public perception, particularly when you’re going to take on the basic American right and habit of speaking one’s mind.

My advice? If you don’t like what someone’s saying, make your own T-Shirt and start a new conversation.

As reported in the The L.A. Times, American Apparel has been slapped with a 10M lawsuit by Woody Allen for
allegedly using an image of him (dressed as a rabbi) without permission in advertisements.

The L.A. Times published the story on April 1^st, no doubt leaving its readers to wonder whether this was an April Fool’s Day joke or not.

Gawker, for its part, seems to have procured a photo of said advertisement. Hmm.

What Woody Allen dressed as a rabbi expresses to potential American Apparel consumers is a mystery that I’ve yet to unravel. Thoughts?

Note: The fact that I’m posting this most assuredly does not mean that you should go out and make Woody Allen-related merchandise. In fact, I’d personally advise the opposite. You don’t want him to Sue-Yee too.

(No, this is not a public admission of anything untoward…)

I love it when people engage their audiences/supporters using their merchandise. The CafePress business model is all about the content of the product and what it means to its buyers and sellers.

So, Trucker Hats off to Discovery this week for a groovy fan engagement poll designed so that Deadliest Catch fans may choose the new line of Deadliest Catch fan gear. Discovery Networks is a CafePress client, and with such inventive programming we figured that they’d have a lot of fun with their merchandise.

The thing that makes this particular show compelling (other than the massive waves and other sea-dangers that arise) is the personal insight into the individuals aboard the boats. Since the show is orchestrated to showcase individual captains and crews aboard their vessels, it sets up an environment wherein fans are predisposed to have a “favorite team” and feel invested in its success. This makes for addictive T.V. and very loyal fans, and it makes sense to include the fans in choosing their own expression of fandom.

Personally, I voted for the “I Got Crabs” design to win. Not because I anticipate a mad rush for everyone to wear that particular design, but because it made me laugh. I know, I know – I should vote for what I think’s going to sell. But hey, that’s why they’re asking all the fans.

Todd P. might suggest
Liberty and Fernando
Should date each other

Those who aren’t subscribed to our mailing list missed our exciting announcement today, so I’m posting it here.

We know how hard it is to find true love, and with everyone so busy working on their shops we wanted to make it a little easier for you.

Note: due to me being, truly, a TechEejit, I can’t figure out how to make the margins fit within the confines of this particular blogging interface’s main display. Sad but true. So for now, you’ll have to click to see the new CafePress LoveMatch Dating Service email in its entirety.

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CafePress is excited to announce the imminent launch of CafePress LoveMatch™! Our new dating service will bring you love the same way we’ve brought you T-shirts – customized and on-demand! From our founder and CEO, Fred Durham: “CafePress members are all about passion; it seemed so natural to come up with a way to help our community find potential mates that share the same interests, hobbies and – of course – passions. I think you’ll find that our unique To-A-T™ match algorithm makes personal connections that you wouldn’t find anywhere else!” What makes it different? In a word: the To-A-T™ CafePress LoveMatch™ algorithm! Traditional online dating services focus heavily on preconceived notions of compatibility. For example, filters such as gender, religion, race and education can actually serve as barriers that might prevent you from discovering that true love means finding someone who shares your fervent interest in all things Muskrat.

CafePress LoveMatch™ is still in BETA testing, and so far we have some amazing success stories to share. Todd P. from Oshkosh, WI “It seemed too good to be true – finally, a dating service that combines fashion statements and hobbies with matchmaking. I knew that someone out there would share my passion for collecting funny and interesting thongs!” Liberty B. from Lakeville, IL “It’s so hard to find people that are serious about finding true love, but Todd and I are ecstatically happy! Thanks, CafePress LoveMatch!” Addai L. from Hoboken, NJ “I couldn’t believe it when I found someone else that feels so strongly about Leap Year!” Mary-Catherine O. from St. Augustine, FL “The best part about finding Addai in 2008 is that we have 4 years to plan our wedding. We’re so excited about February 29th, 2012!” Fernando N. from Deep Ellum, TX “I had no idea that I’d ever date a man, but once we discovered our mutual amor for opera and Chihuahuas we realized that we were perfect for each other!” Todd P. from Oshkosh, WI “I really appreciate the flexibility and freedom that CafePress LoveMatch gives me. You should try it!” Stay tuned for the exciting launch of CafePress LoveMatch™ – true love might be just an “Add to Cart” away!