<--Oprah Not Happy About This

Oprah Winfrey apparently coined the phrase, “Aha moment.” If nothing else she helped to make it popular. Other companies have started to use this slogan for their own marketing purposes. One of the largest companies to pick up the catch phrase is Mutual of Omaha Bank. The Oprah Winfrey camp was less then pleased with this so they sent a cease and desist letter the bank’s headquarters.  The execs at Mutual of Omaha Bank were not impressed and countered with a lawsuit, saying and I quote, “she abandoned any rights she may have to the phrase by failing to police the alleged mark when other businesses used it in advance (blogs.suntimes.com).”

It is true, more than a few companies have taken the “Aha moment” phrase and ran with it. One of the banks advertisements, which centers around the phrase is attached above. I think all parties just need to calm down. Oprah Winfrey did not create this phrase, she simply made it popular. I didn’t even know she coined the term until reading this headline. I just thought it was the latest marketing buzzword.