Hey Hotio, more power to you.
I took offense at dragging TF down into the typical marketing muck and I really took offense at the sexism in your post.
I've worked with some high profile clients and their handlers. In many cases they are happy to have their handlers recommend our work to another person of similar stature, if needed or if they know them in social circles. But they are usually busy making music, running small countries, and moving millions in assets back and forth to really care. And most are incredibly private with where and how they live. A few of the most complex and rewarding projects I've worked on will never see the marketing light of day out of respect for the client's wishes. I dumped hours and heart and soul into a recent one - and I'll never really get to see it out there in the world.
Bensonwood is hooked into the whole 'This Old House' and Norm Abram's thing. They've probably worked with plenty of other 'celebs' out there as well. Maybe even Harrison Ford, through a recommendation from Norm. Who knows? They do have a 'This Old House' collection of plans...
http://www.bensonwood.com/TOH/And I respectfully disagree with your assessment of Mr. Seger 'helping' to sell big trucks and tugging at the heartstrings of American car buyers. I'm not saying he 'sold out'. Making $$ is a fact of the world we live in. But 'helping' out a multi-billion dollar industry that was pushing larger and larger and inefficient vehicles on the public...? is that a noble use of his talents? I don't know. He or his agent thought it was - and maybe they made a little interview to ease their conscience. Who really knows how it all worked out. Maybe he has a lifetime supply of trucks...
You are certainly welcome and fine to post your ideas and throw around concepts. Makes for good reading, for sure. I don't really think timber framing is living in a backwater due to folks holding on to the precious sanctity of the craft. There are plenty of arguments on this board about who's sold out by using CNC production equipment, power tools, etc. etc. But based on my experience I just doubt that having a celebrity spokesperson (regardless of how sexy they may be - man or woman) would alter things. Maybe the TFG can increase membership rates 1000 fold on existing members and buy a SuperBowl ad next year? Or do something with the Olympics? TV time is expensive...
