I think it degrades the business some. Frankly both companies have been very classy and held themselves to high standards in their business and customer service arena. To be serious for a moment, this is not a joke about you Shayne and your past failed attempts to score with a hotel clerk, this is about one of the finest run businesses in this market. You now have a competitor out there and your shirts and slogans should reflect what made both companies and now one merged company the leader and market share holder. Put together a marketing campaign that focuses on that, and then provide shirts that you'd be proud to see your grandmother wear and 8 year old little girls at HT's/FT's wear and then you'll have something to be proud of.
Just my .02
/Paul
I agree with this... You just need to decide the image you want for your company. Is it time to grow up, maybe? Or can you continue with the frat boy gone wild persona?
Think about who your market is. Maybe make TWO versions -- one for adults and one for the family....
Check with your partners? I think the majority of HT/FT folks would NOT wear the shirt, BUT that does NOT mean that it won't get you the publicity you want!
And, really, I would focus marketing, esp for dogs afield, at a different market than FT/HT because I would bet you already have that market (still need to take care of it, but I would take that shirt and market to hunters or a different segment)...
I know EE needs to "stay out there", but I think you're still a monopoly even tho there's competition in town...
-K