Metallica To Perform At Call Of Duty Launch Event
MetallicaIf you couldn't guess, the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops will be a very big deal.
So big, in fact, that one of the biggest bands in heavy metal history will be on hand to celebrate the game's release. Metallica has teamed up with Activision to headline the Black Ops launch event on November 4 at Santa Monica Airport's Hangar 8. So tomorrow, the blowout event will boast a performance by the Grammy-Award winning band, which will honor the six branches of the Armed Forces and raise $1 million for the Call of Duty Endowment. The latter is a non-profit, public benefit corporation founded by Activision Blizzard that assists veterans with the transition from battle to civilian life; i.e., helps them establish jobs and careers.
Said Robert Kotick, Activision Blizzard CEO:
"We are honored to have Metallica partner with us to pay tribute to the brave servicemen and women who have risked their lives at war only to return home to find their biggest challenge is searching for a job. Today, the unemployment rate for veterans is 21% higher than the rate for all Americans, with veterans' unemployment topping 500,000. We believe that the business community can and should do more. Through The Call of Duty Endowment, we are committed to raising millions of dollars for job assistance and training programs for veterans and raising public awareness for this serious issue."
If you really don't know who Metallica is, you can check the press release for a brief bio. Let's just say that since forming up in 1981, the band has gone on to sell more than 100 million albums worldwide, garnering tens of millions of fans in the process. They have several multi-platinum albums to their credit, including 1983's "Kill 'Em All" (3 times over), 1986's "Master of Puppets" (6 times over), and 1991's Metallica (The Black Album, which went 15 times over). To have these guys basically "open" for Black Ops is...well, as we just said, a big deal.
Related Game(s): Call of Duty: Black Ops
Tags: call of duty black ops, activision, metallica, cod black ops
11/3/2010 10:26:56 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (62 posts)
shadowpal2
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 11:15:52 AM
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 10:50:04 AM
Reply
And I just wanted to say this... $1 million dollars in nothing. We just renovated a new facility called "The Cornerstone" (look it up in London, Ontario... it's a damn impressive program). But the cornerstone cost close to 2.5 million.... and that's not even the program cost...
My location is funded for about 250k per year, and I'm the only counselor here for employment supports. I'm running a big turkey dinner for the community in December, and we'll probably raise close to 100k again this year.
My point is this... 250k funds enough to adequately, although not substantially, support about 50-60 youth per year... the veterans have what was it? 500,000 out of work?
1 million dollars should be easy to raise... and if Metallica is there, they should be raising WAY more than 1 million... If they have a half-witted fundraiser, they could find a much more effective means of raising money for their not-for-profit if Metallica was there. Chances are, with a big company like Activision/Blizzard funding the not-for-profit, the government is very unlikely to offer their own contributions. I know if I had metallica at some of my events, I'd be raising a ton of cash. Certainly more than 1 measly million.
1 million won't even put a dent in the problem... isn't enough to help even 1% of the problem.
It's a nice gesture though.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 11/3/2010 10:54:47 AM
12 up, 0 down
spiderboi
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 10:53:28 AM
But yes again, pat on their backs for the good intention.
1 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 11:15:10 AM
4 up, 1 down
spiderboi
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 11:18:45 AM
But hey, that's big time corporations for you...
0 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 12:20:48 PM
I wish people could look past call of duty and activation for one second. If they raise $1 million in this process that's a huge amount, not to mention their will be continued support!
1 up, 3 down
Scarecrow
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 12:55:55 PM
I also work in a big company that works within the education system and 1 million really is nothing after a year.
4 up, 0 down
spiderboi
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 1:52:57 PM
Feed a man fish and he shall eat for a day. Teach a man how to fish and he will not go hungry.
Let's hope that money goes to teaching them rather than just handing out money in charity
3 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 3:15:30 PM
To an individual, 1 million is alot. To an organization, 1 million is far less than start-up costs. It won't even make a dent. 1 million is nothing, and in fact, it's at the lower end of funding in the not-for-profit sector. If you ask me, they gave 1 million because it sounds a lot. It's a hellalot of advertising pretending to be for charity (like spiderboi said)
Also, as a professional in this very exact field, (how often does my profession get to be talked about in a gaming forum!!! DUDE!!) I looked up on the Call of Duty Endowment... they themselves have a very weak infrastructure for employment supports. More than anything, they're just a weak-end funder for minor projects like workshops. They make next to no difference, and are essentially gravy, not substance. The fact that they spread out their thin resources even thinner means they either have extremely poor organizational planners with little to no vision, or this endowment fund is meant specifically as a tax-free advertisement firm for Activision/Blizzard.
Trust me... if Activision/Blizzard didn't back it, it wouldn't exist... which is not a good sign. Any not-for-profit with measurable goals, a realistic vision, and the stats to back it never have issues continually finding funders... (that aren't directly tied in for marketing purposes, ie. the government or United Way, to list a few non-marketing examples)
1 up, 0 down
Simcoe
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 3:28:59 PM
I'd like to hope that Activision also makes similar contributions in other countries whose armed forces are seeing active combat. Can't see why US veterans would be the only ones to benefit from Activision's good fortune from this franchise.
0 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 3:47:29 PM
1 up, 0 down
bigrailer19
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 4:54:33 PM
All I'm saying is their is a big picture here and no one is grasping it! I mean should they just say screw it an not raise money at all? I mean C'mon! I have veteran friends and regardless the amount they praise any organization willing to help even if they don't see it, because it helps!
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 11/3/2010 5:05:32 PM
0 up, 0 down
Simcoe
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 5:12:53 PM
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Thursday, November 04, 2010 @ 10:54:06 AM
Good to know you read my thoughts... valid thoughts... professional thoughts...
You don't think I have friends in the military too?
Any money is nice, sure, but it's definitely not as big a deal as Metallica or CoD. Face it... it's an advertising sham. 1 million will be spent in no time and have had little to no impact. It's not impressive.
0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Thursday, November 04, 2010 @ 2:27:07 PM
No, I say they either sh!t or get off the can. They're either helping or not. Right now, they're just using minimal help as a cheap advertising ploy... which isn't unusual among major corporations.
Ronald McDonald House used to do the same thing, until they got majorly called on it. They still use it to some extent, but now it at least makes a sizable difference.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 11/4/2010 2:28:58 PM
2 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 10:52:54 AM
Reply
3 up, 1 down
Deleted User
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 11:17:29 AM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
BeezleDrop
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 11:33:28 AM
Reply
6 up, 0 down
Deleted User
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 11:48:20 AM
1 up, 3 down
Clamedeus
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 12:13:55 PM
1 up, 2 down
Clamedeus
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 1:33:03 PM
0 up, 2 down
Milonakis
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 12:09:40 PM
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2 up, 1 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 12:30:56 PM
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5 up, 5 down
bigrailer19
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 12:43:50 PM
Metallica. They are a good band and nobody can discount what they've achieved! But it's the long intros and the insane length of solos and 7 min songs that turn me off. I feel like after a metallic song is over I just listened to it 3 times. Thats 3 times to many for me.
1 up, 5 down
rossinator_99
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 12:50:36 PM
@bigrailer: those solos and long songs are what made them so good... way back when.
2 up, 1 down
bigrailer19
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 12:55:30 PM
But again they have achieved a lot and no one can discount that.
0 up, 0 down
Hezzron
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 2:32:35 PM
4 up, 2 down
Jawknee
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 3:18:38 PM
1 up, 6 down
Clamedeus
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 3:23:00 PM
1 up, 1 down
FlyingKickPunch
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 3:41:08 PM
0 up, 1 down
DIsmael85
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 4:03:38 PM
3 up, 1 down
Temjin001
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 7:10:48 PM
No the real Metallica fans aren't the one's who spell their name wrong. I can't tell you how many guys I knew in highschool who spelled it "Mettallica"
oh, and then there's "MegaDeath"
Last edited by Temjin001 on 11/3/2010 7:12:33 PM
1 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 7:26:34 PM
I think Dave Mustaine and Tonomodo Itagaki are the same guy.
Itagaki: quit/fired from Tecmo, outspoken and highly opinionated, head of Team Ninja, talks politics, likes girls.
Mustaine: kicked out of Metallica, outspoken and highly opinionated, head of Megadeth, talks politics, likes girls.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 11/3/2010 7:27:14 PM
0 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 12:56:25 PM
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Their newest albums are so average though. Nothing amazing anymore.
Oh well, still a great band.
6 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 1:10:12 PM
Reply
3 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 3:02:26 PM
2 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 3:16:57 PM
Seriously... Metallica... and the words Call of Duty... and all they can get is 1 million?
Someone is either failing epicly or it's primary objective is marketing.
2 up, 0 down
FlyingKickPunch
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 3:38:46 PM
0 up, 0 down
Hezzron
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 2:37:09 PM
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8 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 2:43:51 PM
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5 up, 0 down
DIsmael85
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 4:05:11 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 4:15:38 PM
Lars is probably too beat up to actually play that song though :(
He's my favorite drummer but sadly I don't think he could play that song as well anymore.
0 up, 0 down
DIsmael85
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 8:34:53 PM
1 up, 0 down
THEVERDIN
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 6:30:04 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Alienange
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 6:47:52 PM
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4 up, 0 down
main_event05
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 7:36:06 PM
3 up, 0 down
Geobaldi
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 7:35:47 PM
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0 up, 0 down
DIsmael85
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 8:33:46 PM
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___________
Thursday, November 04, 2010 @ 2:24:37 AM
Reply
i wish for once antivision would not advertise anything, im sick of opening my eyes and seeing COD adds, this time last year i could not turn on the TV, open a curtain, walk down the street, turn on the radio without seeing or hearing a COD add!
oh, how i cant wait for that to start all over again.............
0 up, 0 down
spiderboi
Thursday, November 04, 2010 @ 9:27:09 AM
Bliss :)
0 up, 0 down
___________
Friday, November 05, 2010 @ 7:12:24 AM
i remember last year, normally there is no advertisement on the sides of busses and buss stops because the RTA says it distracts drivers.
but for some reason they ignored that and every bus, bus stop, every object with a flat face had a MW2 banner on it.
imagine all those poor trees they cut down for it.
:(
0 up, 0 down
telly
Thursday, November 04, 2010 @ 11:47:34 AM
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0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Thursday, November 04, 2010 @ 2:01:03 PM
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The current annual funding for the CODE (Call of Duty Endowment) is actually just over 1 million. In other words, this event is the ONLY fundraising CODE does annually for it's fund. Additionally, the fund does not have it's own employees. It has a couple of members on it's Board of Directors who make a little extra money for being on the board, and their job is to decide which organization to give the money to. Said board members, are high ranking CEO's.
Typically, they give about 100k or so at a time to various organizations who support unemployed veterans.
Here's the kicker... with a $1 million budget, they've funded a little over 800k to various organizations. In other words, those board members (typically 10-20 members) are being paid the additional 200k for their services.
What that means is this... the CODE gives minimal funds (100k and even 1 million is NOTHING) to organizations who ARE worthwhile, but also pads the pockets of their CEO's a little better. So they achieve a couple things...
1) Provide funding, enough to support, approximately 200 able bodied veterans. (Fewer if disabled)
2) They get mad advertising on their CODE site and media for Call of Duty and Activision/Blizzard at a tiny cost of 1 million, 20% of which goes back in the pockets of their CEO's. Essentially, they get a lot of media hype and recognition that would normally cost far more than 1 million to generate!!
3) Advertise on their site overwhelming stats like the fact that over 500k veterans need help, huge enemployment rates, and all the various organizations that make a huge difference making it seem like they're a major part of it. (In reality, they cover less than 1% of the cost to actually help all of them) They proclaim they give 1 million very loudly, and then say there are over 500k people to help... but 1 million will only help 300-ish able bodied people find work... (and with it actually only being $800k, they help even fewer)
So... yeah... I mean, you can argue any bit helps... but I think it's a shame that in reality, supporting those veterans is only the secondary goal here...
1 up, 0 down
Maiq The Liar
Thursday, November 04, 2010 @ 3:41:08 PM
0 up, 0 down
spiderboi
Reply
Wednesday, November 03, 2010 @ 10:46:44 AM