Trump Hits the Wal

The world's largest retailer has joined forces with the world's largest ego.

The fifth season of "The Apprentice" begins Monday on NBC. While the show is no longer the blockbuster it once was, it's still going strong; I happen to believe it's one of the best "reality shows" on television. "The Apprentice" teaches extremely important lessons about communication, teamwork, and execution that can be applied to any professional situation.

For those that haven't seen the show, each episode includes a competitive "task" that two teams attempt to complete. These "tasks" have become an opportunity for cross-marketing with some of the nation's largest "brands." The teams get to work with well-known corporations in the "tasks" while those corporations enjoy the publicity of having their products displayed on national television. It's a "win" for everyone, especially for host and executive producer Donald Trump.

This season, one of the "brands" featured will be Wal-Mart, a corporation that is in dire need of good publicity these days. Wal-Mart is currently trying to counter criticism over its business practices while also trying to attract a new demographic of wealthier customers. The retailing giant may be able to make progress towards both goals by partnering with Mr. Trump. After all, "The Apprentice" is (ostensibly) about doing what is right in the business world and attracts an audience that has lots of money to spend.

Monday's episode will include the "task" of selling membership upgrades at Sam's Club stores, a division of Wal-Mart. Viewers should expect a positive spin on the company and its practices. Later in the season, a "task" will involve the namesake Wal-Mart stores. Wal-Mart is the only corporation that will be featured more than once during the fifth season; you had better believe it paid a lot of money to claim such a distinction.

As outspoken as Mr. Trump can be, don't expect him to weigh in on the debates surrounding Wal-Mart. I am quite sure he will only have nice things to say about the company and its executives. However, I doubt he would ever include a Sam's Club or Wal-Mart in any of his development projects.

Props to Chizi for sharing the press release that inspired me to write a post about two of my favorite subjects.

Previously on P.U.

Donald Trump
Donald Does Phoenix (9/23/2005)
Trump Goes Hollywood (11/29/2005)

Wal-Mart
The Greatest Retailing Machine Ever Devised (6/25/2005)
Book Review: The United States of Wal-Mart (7/17/2005)
Looking For Love in All the Wal Places (7/24/2005)
A Union at Wal-Mart? Sort of... (10/10/2005)
Wal-Mart Goes to War (11/01/2005)