December 01, 2004

FedEx or H&R Block: Who’s More Embarrassed by “Jeopardy” All-Time Winningest Champ Ken Jennings Wrong Answer?

Jeopardy’s All-Time Winningest Champ Ken Jennings
In a taped rebroadcast before 18 million viewers catching game-show history, Ken Jennings, a steely-eyed software engineer from Salt Lake City, incorrectly responded to this Final Jeopardy answer: "Most of this firm’s 70,000 seasonal white-collar employees work only four months a year." The correct response given by Nancy Zerg, a broker from Ventura: "What is H. and R. Block?" Both companies swung into action with new messaging to capitalize on the marketing opportunity that might otherwise prove a little embarrassing:
    "There’s only one time FedEx has ever been the wrong answer," the ad’s copy opened in block lettering, set in bold for emphasis. Below that, the ad continued: "Congratulations Ken Jennings on your amazing Jeopardy! winning streak. And thanks for mentioning our name. Even if it was the one time you shouldn’t have."

    Meanwhile, accounting giant H&R Block was quick to tap into Mr. Jennings’ marketing capital too, issuing a press release the day of the broadcast offering the fallen champion a "lifetime of free tax and financial services."

He accepted the tax advice offer and he'll need it: with 74 victories, Jennings walked away with $2,520,700 in cash, in what the syndicated TV show's distributors said was a record for the most money ever won on a television game show, as well as the most victories. That makes him the winningest winner of all time among game show contestants, eclipsing Michigan engineer Kevin Olmstead's previous record of $2.2 million won on "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire" as Jennings fascinated viewers by taking advantage of "Jeopardy!" dropping its long-standing rule requiring champions to depart after five straight wins.

Maybe there're financial rewards to an engineering career after all?

- Arik

Posted by Arik Johnson at December 1, 2004 11:15 AM | TrackBack