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Keller @ Large: 9/11 Marketing Ploys Unbelievable And Unforgivable

BOSTON (CBS) - Ever heard someone with a bit of a narcissistic streak described as wanting to be "the bride at every wedding and the deceased at every funeral"?

It means that you can't resist the impulse to make everything always about you, even when it is clearly inappropriate to do so. But judging from the carnival of poor judgement that apparently consumed so many of us Wednesday, wanting to be the bride at every wedding is a gaffe that's becoming more and more common.

Wednesday, of course, was our annual day of remembrance of the thousands of innocent people who were slaughtered in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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There were somber ceremonies, moments of silence, and myriad other ways for serious people to respectfully mark the occasion and reflect on that horrible event.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

Keller at Large Sept 12 2013

But some among us saw it as an opportunity for self-marketing.

AT & T tweeted a photo of a hand holding up a phone with a photo of twin light beams over the New York skyline in place of the twin towers, an effort, the company insisted in its subsequent non-apology apology, "to pay respect to those affected by the 9/11 tragedy." As one respondent noted on Twitter: "Instead you put the focus on a smartphone, not the memorial itself."

A golf course in Wisconsin was offering a 9/11 anniversary special – nine holes of golf for just $9.11. The owner received death threats, which I don't condone, and widespread ridicule, which I do condone.

And a hotel offered its patrons free mini-muffins for a half hour Wednesday morning, "in remembrance of those we lost on 9/11." Oh, and free coffee, too.

Unbelievable, and unforgivable. Sometimes, it's just not about you, or your product.

And the 9/11 anniversary is very definitely one of those times.

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

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