12 competitors remained on Fox’s “Celebrity Apprentice,” at the beginning of episode 3. This season’s competition is a competition among celebrities to raise money for their favorite charity.
Ironically, last week Gene Simmon’s said he would fire anybody, including Donald Trump. He lost his chance, because in a faulty move the self-proclaimed business genius took Omarosa and gold medalist Jennie Finch to the boardroom, following the third loss by Empesario. Unable to adequately justify to Trump why either should be fired, Gene heard the infamous words, “You’re fired.”
In this week’s episode, Jim Kramer of “Mad Money” joined Evanka, Donald Trump’s daughter, as the “eyes and ears” to monitor the Celebrity Apprentice teams.
Gene Simmons was asked by Donald Trump to become the group manager for Empresario, following two consecutive losses by the women. With only enough hesitation to create anticipation, Simmons agreed and moved to the women’s team. The women seemed delighted. In a solo shot, however, Simmons bragged that today he had the role every man desired; he was the “King of all Women.”
The task for Hydra and Empresario was to create a Kodak mobile printing experience to promote Kodak’s EasyShare all-in-one printer. Teams were given an airstream bus, Kodak cameras, and Kodak EasyShare all-in-one printers to sell.
Gene Simmons immediately alienated his team, Empresario, declaring himself a “benevolent dictator.” He came up with a brilliant slogan, “It’s a Kodak World, live it.” The only problem with Gene Simmon’s branding idea was that he failed to consult Kodak executives, sending a couple of the women to meet with them. He had the campaign planned before the women even returned from the meeting. His big mistake at this point, and throughout the show was a failure to listen.
The entire Hydra team met with Kodak executives and understood that the big sell was the innovation in ink. Kodak’s EasyShare all-in-one printer saves as much as 50% on ink. They based their project on the slogan, “Kodak, it’s a knock out,” utilizing their prize fighters in print advertising. This appealed to Kodak executives, because it pointed to Kodak as a winner.
Meanwhile, Simmons out to sell Kodak, missed the target. His team’s job was to sell the EasyShare printer, and primarily the reduction in the cost of ink, making printing fun and affordable for everyone. The whole campaign boiled down to a 50% reduction in ink cost.
Hydra brainstormed a plan based on the needs and desires as articulated by Kodak executives. Disaster struck Hydra when Stephen Baldwin managed to knock out Hydra’s main computer with a cup of coffee. They stuck to the task and overcame the setback, even though Jim Kramer launched a vitriolic attack of Hydra’s jet stream bus, as tacky, looking much like a “dumpster.” Hydra did have a valid reason, their lack luster print advertising was a result of the computer loss the night before.
Gene went into the boardroom and immediately clashed with Trump’s style of doing business. Jim Kramer affirmed Hydra’s presentation was sloppy, but the sales pitch and the intent of the campaign met Kodak’s expectations and their attempt to reposition Kodak as a leader in an ink revolution.
Gene Simmons had the gumption to go up against Kodak. He said Kodak was wrong, even when he went to the boardroom. The problem with this in a Celebrity Apprentice competition is that the competitors are working for a client. Gene Simmons couldn’t even tell Donald Trump the name of the printer.
Gene took Omarosa and Jennie Finch into the boardroom. Ultimately Gene Simmons fatal move was in making independent tough decisions. Donald Trump would have fired Nely in a minute, but Gene, in his efforts to show his independence brought people to the boardroom that had no fault in Empresario’s loss.
To his credit, Gene Simmons took the firing with dignity, continuing to believe himself more qualified to make decisions than Kodak’s executives. His parting words, “the women don’t have a popcorn fart chance of shining the women’s shoes.”
If you missed this week’s episode of Celebrity Apprentice you can view missed episode at NBC: The Celebrity Apprentice.
