HoosierGazette.com editor to officially change name on April 1
By
Klaus Von Vigo, THG Features
Due to the increased
popularity of his website, HoosierGazette.com, founder and Editor-in-chief Josh
Whicker has announced he will legally change his name on April 1. From that day
on, Whicker will be known as “Hollywood” Don Swanson.
The change is necessitated
by the increased media attention garnered by the site, which has been viewed in
85 countries since its launch on November 16th. The name change is
“purely for marketing purposes” according to Whicker.
“In today’s world, people are looking for something more spectacular than just
plain old Josh Whicker. I thought about incorporating my middle name, Lee, but
that still didn’t have enough zing,” Whicker said recently. “No one wants to
talk to Joshua Lee Whicker, but I surmise everyone will want to talk to
‘Hollywood’ Don Swanson.”
The name change was a
result of many months of research by local marketing firms. Focus groups used
determined the Swanson name was superior to the runner-up name, Don Vincennes.
Marketing executive Ray
Childress of Infinity Marketing in Terre Haute said that Swanson as a name
resonates with the public. “If you’re going to stick out, you need something to
grab attention,” Childress said, “it’s no different than selling a tangible
product. In this case, Josh is selling himself.
Childress further stated
that “if you’re trying to get media interviews and movie deals, you need a
calling card that’s going to make you stand out. Swanson, the name, does that.
Movie executives know many Josh’s, but there will be only one ‘Hollywood’ Don
Swanson.”
As for his feelings on
changing a name he’s had for 29 years, Mr. Whicker doesn’t feel any remorse. “I
did build up a lot of goodwill locally with the ‘Josh’ name, but I’m now ready
to expand onto a national level. Let’s be honest, ‘Josh’ just wasn’t getting it
done.” Whicker went on to say he likes the new name most of all because “it’s a
title, like ‘Lord’ or ‘Sir’.”
When asked why the moniker
“Hollywood” was added to the new name, Childress stated simply: “It’s what he’s
shooting for—movies deals and international fame. If you aspire to something,
you must tailor your image to fit. That’s what the ‘Hollywood’ does for him.”
Will it be a career
boosting move? Only time will tell. If early feedback is any indication, the
name is already a resounding success—many friends and co-workers say they like
the concept. To publicize the name, HoosierGazette.com will soon introduce a
new concept in summer entertainment—“Swanson Fest.”
“The Swanson Fest” will be
established to counter the many county fairs and festivals that occur throughout
Indiana during the warm weather months. “Let’s face it; most of those festivals
are painfully boring. You can only be interested in pig judging contests for so
long,” Whicker said. “We at The Hoosier Gazette wanted something to spice up
the long, hot summer.” Whicker would not reveal the theme of Swanson Fest, but
did say “It will be mind-blowing, the best party in Indiana.”
Many details must still be
ironed out, but the event shows much promise. Hoosier Gazette webmaster Chris
Kasinger said the name change is good for business. “No one would go to a “Josh
Whicker Fest”, but many will be enticed by “Swanson Fest.”
The date and location of
the fest have not been announced. In the meantime, the artist formerly known as
Josh Whicker would like to remind the viewing public that he is still available
to speak to small or large groups. “I don’t care if it’s the ‘Indiana Gay
League’ or the ‘Indiana Quilt Makers Association’, I’ll go and spread my wisdom
to whomever wants it,” said Whicker/Swanson.
