Okay, so I admit that maybe we've carried the humor a bit too far when we have animated and fictitious characters suggesting our food choices, but the humor is generally cute. For example, the latest ad for Panda Express uses bad black and white photography, as if taken from a surveillance camera, to show two alleged panda's wearing disguises "robbing" a Panda Express of the Thai Cashew Chicken. They are also clever enough to spray paint the surveillance camera! Cute? Yes. Funny? Sort of. Indicative of the content, taste, or value of the product? Not so much.
Ignoring the fact that Panda's generally restrict their diet to two types of bamboo (only occasionally getting a taste of meat), if you are motivated to head out to the nearest Panda Express and buy that yummy looking Thai Cashew Chicken on the advice of how good it is from a couple of bad actors in panda suits, perhaps you might examine where you are receiving other life advice. The GEICO Gecko for your insurance needs? Garfield for your favorite brand of cat food? The Scrubbing Bubbles or Mr. Clean for how to best clean your kitchens bathrooms? How about the Jolly Green Giant for the best and freshest vegetables in the valley? And who could forget Mrs. Butterworth to serve us the best tasting syrup for our waffles and pancakes! There are undoubtedly hundreds more...
The Pillsbury Doughboy
The Michelin Man
Speedy Alka Seltzer
The DairyQueen talking Lips
Tony the Tiger
Farfel the Dog (this may be a bit for the older generation :-))
Cap'n Crunch
The Keebler Elves
Chester Cheetah
The Pink Panther
The Kool Aid Man
Punchy
Add your favorite to the list...
And don't even get me started about the Nasonex animated bee taking animated Nasonex to clear his animated pollen clogged animated sinuses! I mean really! We're talking about taking a prescription strength drug that has as many side effects as benefits...and you want to trust your health to an animated bee!
The point is, we have been taking animated advice for everything from antacid, to insurance, to catfood, to home insulation, to tires and even to drugs. Repeat after me: The next animated commercial I see on TV, see at the movies, or read in a magazine, or other publication, I will examine the ad for true content regarding the product including value, cost, location, size, taste, etc. and not just go buy it because some animated character tells me I should.
Commercial break is over...now back to my regular programming.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
FEAR! There they are, a mother and daughter playing in the side yard of the house. A creepy, hooded character is seen peeking through the fencing and the next thing you get to observe is the creepy character breaking into the house just after the mother and daughter have gone indoors. The alarm system starts screaming. The phone immediately rings and the well groomed, handsome uniformed agent assures the mother that help is on the way.
FEAR! The young woman has been dropped off from a date at the front door and after saying goodnight to her escort, the door is crashed off the hinges, the alarm system is at full volume and she scampers to the instantly ringing phone to get immediate assurances that help is on the way.
FEAR! The daughter has just bid pleasant evening to her parents, locking the door behind them as they head out for the evening. As the daughter starts up the stairs, the door knob is rattled and the daughter laughs and starts back down the stairs to see what mom and dad forgot when the door bursts open. The alarm system does its job with deafening noise scaring off the perp and the young woman is able to answer the phone and be assured help is on the way.
Like sex, fear apparently sells well in Peoria. We just recently had an ADT salesperson do a cold call in our neighborhood. He inquired as to what type of trouble we experienced in our neighborhood, particularly noting the rental units nearby. When I advised him that we had lived in the same location for over 30 years without anything more than a stolen car abandoned on the street he was incredulous. Were we not afraid of losing our valuables? We were not afraid of burglars, cutthroats, purse-snatchers, or home invasion robbers kicking in our front door? I advised him we had to have something of value to attract such attention from such villians. "Ah, yes." Pitching the final hook, "But what about your lives? Aren't they valuable?"
FEAR! Yes, there it is. Aren't we afraid of losing our lives to some creepy, hooded, wild-eyed, drug crazed, person looking for quick cash, a quick fix, cutting the ring off a finger, or pulling teeth for the gold...Lord knows that is what is depicted on TV ads and in the movies with great regularity.
Yes, but is it going to happen here? Now? First, do you live in a neighborhood where that type of activity is taking place? No? Then it's statistically unlikely to happen to you any time soon. Yes, but what if it MIGHT? That's what they are counting on to make a sale.
So, what about kicking in the front door as shown in the TV ads? My first question is, "Do you want to hire and pay for a security system where they don't even require you to make the slightest changes to your front entry door, including installing a dead bolt and a solid core door that is very unlikely to be kicked in by any passing crazed maniac? I think not! All just done for the FEAR factor.
There are all kinds of statistics on the internet...The FBI reports that a burglary occurs every 14 seconds...and plenty more statistics quoted by security companies trying to sell systems. There are also statistics showing that 30% of the people with security systems don't turn them on when they go on vacation. Another quoted a sample of 3,000 persons, and found 86% did not know how to properly operate their security systems and the available features. So, bottom line: This week let's take a vow not to buy systems or things based on FEAR. Let's look at reasonable solutions for reasonable problems...I think I'm putting up a sign in our front yard: Security System by TVC (two vicious cats). The burglars are on their own. Commercial is over...back to our regular programming.
FEAR! The young woman has been dropped off from a date at the front door and after saying goodnight to her escort, the door is crashed off the hinges, the alarm system is at full volume and she scampers to the instantly ringing phone to get immediate assurances that help is on the way.
FEAR! The daughter has just bid pleasant evening to her parents, locking the door behind them as they head out for the evening. As the daughter starts up the stairs, the door knob is rattled and the daughter laughs and starts back down the stairs to see what mom and dad forgot when the door bursts open. The alarm system does its job with deafening noise scaring off the perp and the young woman is able to answer the phone and be assured help is on the way.
Like sex, fear apparently sells well in Peoria. We just recently had an ADT salesperson do a cold call in our neighborhood. He inquired as to what type of trouble we experienced in our neighborhood, particularly noting the rental units nearby. When I advised him that we had lived in the same location for over 30 years without anything more than a stolen car abandoned on the street he was incredulous. Were we not afraid of losing our valuables? We were not afraid of burglars, cutthroats, purse-snatchers, or home invasion robbers kicking in our front door? I advised him we had to have something of value to attract such attention from such villians. "Ah, yes." Pitching the final hook, "But what about your lives? Aren't they valuable?"
FEAR! Yes, there it is. Aren't we afraid of losing our lives to some creepy, hooded, wild-eyed, drug crazed, person looking for quick cash, a quick fix, cutting the ring off a finger, or pulling teeth for the gold...Lord knows that is what is depicted on TV ads and in the movies with great regularity.
Yes, but is it going to happen here? Now? First, do you live in a neighborhood where that type of activity is taking place? No? Then it's statistically unlikely to happen to you any time soon. Yes, but what if it MIGHT? That's what they are counting on to make a sale.
So, what about kicking in the front door as shown in the TV ads? My first question is, "Do you want to hire and pay for a security system where they don't even require you to make the slightest changes to your front entry door, including installing a dead bolt and a solid core door that is very unlikely to be kicked in by any passing crazed maniac? I think not! All just done for the FEAR factor.
There are all kinds of statistics on the internet...The FBI reports that a burglary occurs every 14 seconds...and plenty more statistics quoted by security companies trying to sell systems. There are also statistics showing that 30% of the people with security systems don't turn them on when they go on vacation. Another quoted a sample of 3,000 persons, and found 86% did not know how to properly operate their security systems and the available features. So, bottom line: This week let's take a vow not to buy systems or things based on FEAR. Let's look at reasonable solutions for reasonable problems...I think I'm putting up a sign in our front yard: Security System by TVC (two vicious cats). The burglars are on their own. Commercial is over...back to our regular programming.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Carl's Jr.'s Ads
This is my first attempt at a blog, so bear with me while I give this an attempt. It is my expectation to view the occasional ad or commercial, printed, on television or even listened to on the radio and try to give the ad some thought. Maybe not exactly what the ad agency intended, but something to give one pause.
Let's start with an easy one. There is an entire series of commercials for Carl's fast foods. They have been running in various forms for a number of years. Most, if not all, usually involve one or more 20 somethings chowing down on a Carl's burger of some kind or another using what can only politely be described as poor table manners. Really, what is the point? Carl's is busy teaching an entire new generation of children that it is proper to take overly large bites of food, that dripping bits and pieces everywhere is just fine, and talking with one's mouth full is perfectly acceptable! In the vernacular of the youngsters of today...NOT! Not yesterday, not today and not tomorrow! Ever! Good manners will never wear out.
Do they actually believe that such displays of gross eating habits somehow generate a desire to run out and purchase the food product. I'd have to say probably not. The intention is to actually gross the watcher out to the extent the commercials are actually memorable. Frankly, that probably works and as we know in the ad business, any exposure good or bad, is good.
Of course, the whole "ghastly eating" ad campaign must be slowing in that the latest venture now turns to sex. The adage is "Sex sells." Let's think about that a moment. There is no doubt that the camera is not unkind to Audrina Patridge in her gold lame' bikini eating a teriyaki burger. At 660 calories, the Teriyaki burger is 1/3 of your daily recommended calories. That does not include any drink or fries. Just the burger alone includes nearly half of your daily sodium requirements. Have a look at the Carl's site for the nutritional content of the burger, apparently without cheese. http://www.thedailyplate.com/nutrition-calories/food/carls-jr./teriyaki-burger. While Audrina Patridge looks good in her gold lame' bikini now, I submit that if she actually eats any significant number of burgers, teriyaki or otherwise, she will more resemble a partridge in a pear tree in short order! I have to ask again...does any of that make you want to go out and buy the products? No? Sure enough, we're left merely with a commercial meant to shock your senses (while mother's cover the eyes of their young boys) and set the memory firmly so that the next time you actually want fast food, you might think of Carl's in the light of a gold bikini. Last time I checked there is no "teriyaki burger diet" or how to eat your way into a gold lame' bikini.
How about let's take a pact together...Repeat after me: I will not be weak minded and be swayed to buy products sold using sex and bad taste!
Commercial break is over...now back to my regular programming!
Let's start with an easy one. There is an entire series of commercials for Carl's fast foods. They have been running in various forms for a number of years. Most, if not all, usually involve one or more 20 somethings chowing down on a Carl's burger of some kind or another using what can only politely be described as poor table manners. Really, what is the point? Carl's is busy teaching an entire new generation of children that it is proper to take overly large bites of food, that dripping bits and pieces everywhere is just fine, and talking with one's mouth full is perfectly acceptable! In the vernacular of the youngsters of today...NOT! Not yesterday, not today and not tomorrow! Ever! Good manners will never wear out.
Do they actually believe that such displays of gross eating habits somehow generate a desire to run out and purchase the food product. I'd have to say probably not. The intention is to actually gross the watcher out to the extent the commercials are actually memorable. Frankly, that probably works and as we know in the ad business, any exposure good or bad, is good.
Of course, the whole "ghastly eating" ad campaign must be slowing in that the latest venture now turns to sex. The adage is "Sex sells." Let's think about that a moment. There is no doubt that the camera is not unkind to Audrina Patridge in her gold lame' bikini eating a teriyaki burger. At 660 calories, the Teriyaki burger is 1/3 of your daily recommended calories. That does not include any drink or fries. Just the burger alone includes nearly half of your daily sodium requirements. Have a look at the Carl's site for the nutritional content of the burger, apparently without cheese. http://www.thedailyplate.com/nutrition-calories/food/carls-jr./teriyaki-burger. While Audrina Patridge looks good in her gold lame' bikini now, I submit that if she actually eats any significant number of burgers, teriyaki or otherwise, she will more resemble a partridge in a pear tree in short order! I have to ask again...does any of that make you want to go out and buy the products? No? Sure enough, we're left merely with a commercial meant to shock your senses (while mother's cover the eyes of their young boys) and set the memory firmly so that the next time you actually want fast food, you might think of Carl's in the light of a gold bikini. Last time I checked there is no "teriyaki burger diet" or how to eat your way into a gold lame' bikini.
How about let's take a pact together...Repeat after me: I will not be weak minded and be swayed to buy products sold using sex and bad taste!
Commercial break is over...now back to my regular programming!
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