OK Go Fans Urge Boycott of Post Foods Over Corporate Bullying

If there's anything the last decade has shown, it's that consumers have tremendous power to influence brands. A few customers may not tip the balance, but a coordinated group brought together to fight injustice can hit companies right where it hurts: their bottom line. Now, fans of indie rock band OK Go are proposing exactly that as the manufacturer behind Raisin Bran and Honey-Comb starts a huge court fight against the artists.

#WeAreOKGO https://t.co/ql60VSA7t9
ChristelAdina (@ChristelAdina) February 1, 2023

The Good: OK Go's Loyal Fans

It's honestly encouraging to see the way a loyal fanbase can change things for the better. Sometimes, it seems like corporate America can get away with anything it wants to, from cigarette manufacturers to oil companies. Watching public support sway the decisions of major brands is impressive because it shows that individuals can still fight back.

Besides vowing to boycott Post's cereal brands, fans have also encouraged band members to start a crowdfunding initiative for legal costs. So far, the band hasn't announced this, though. Supporters have been sharing the hashtag #weareOKGO with friends, family members and industry contacts.

They Might Be Giants, the band behind Istanbul and Particle Man, has also expressed support for OK Go. In a recent Facebook post, the band humorously quipped: Perhaps you think this is wrong, or perhaps you are thinking of marketing your own brand of Nike microwave popcorn. Either way, it would be nice to shame Post cereal out of this creepy and unfortunate act.

The Bad: The Little Fish in a Big Shark Tank

OK Go isn't a mainstream band. The group has a catchy sound, but it also has a strong identity. Like other alt-rock and indie favorites such as Better Than Ezra, The Dandy Warhols, The Shins, Cake and Modest Mouse, these four rockers aren't afraid to fly their own flag.

While the band's quirky lyrics and one-take videos may be legendary, it doesn't have anywhere near the financial resources of an international corporation. In a way, this recent fight is comparable to the struggle of artists against billion-dollar AI projects that steal their work without giving them a penny.

Here's how it goes down: 1) They apply for a trademark on the name you've been using for 25 years. 2) You send a letter asking them to pick a different name, please. 3) They SUE YOU IN FEDERAL COURT. On top of it all, apparently, this breakfast food is ready to rock. #weareOKGO
OK Go (@okgo) January 31, 2023

The Ugly: Post Cereal's Entitled Attitude

Post's lawsuit essentially boils down to this: 'Yes, the name is already taken, but we want it and we have tons of lawyers, so we're going to punish you with huge court fees until you give up." Lawyer fees barely mean a drop in the bucket for Post's billions of dollars. On the other hand, they can severely hurt indie bands and other creative artists.

This fight is a modern version of David versus Goliath. When it comes to who's right and who's wrong, the answer is obvious. When money is involved, however, the question usually becomes how long the good guys can afford to hold out against the huge force that corporations have. Gigantic national brands often try to drag court cases out for years by filing endless motions.

The Future: #weareOKGO and #boycottPost

If OK Go is going to win this, they're probably going to have to win it in the court of public opinion. Even though the law is on the band's side, consumer pressure is likely the only way the case can have a happy ending for the little guy this time.