In response to the article regarding entertaining commercials, there are many aspects of the advertising industry that should be considered. Sure, it’s always nice to see a commercial that is entertaining and fun to watch, but some commercials are specifically designed to inform and educate, not just “brainwash” the viewer.
Of course, there are tons of commercials promoting medications and new treatment options. Is patient awareness not important? Most physicians are overbooked and understaffed and the education is left to the responsibility of the patient.
My question is why do you have a need to know about an advertised drug if you have nothing wrong with you? When those commercials come on, I just ignore them. Maybe a hypertension medication would be of benefit to you if you are having unstable moments toward your television. I’ve seen commercials for those drugs also.
The point is the drug companies, cola companies, candy companies and all the other manufacturers are targeting a specific audience. The commercial is not designed to reach every consumer at every level. It is designed to raise awareness and promote a product to a specific group of people.
Don’t get so frustrated over bad commercials. Just ignore them if you don’t like it. Like you said, that’s what the mute button and channel buttons are for.
The no-carb or low-carb diets are the trendy thing now. That’s why you are seeing so many Pepsi Edge commercials. Obviously, Coke came out with the first low-carb cola so Pepsi followed suit.
They have to compete, right? Do they not also have to raise awareness of their new product? Of course they do. Who cares how ridiculous the commercial is, it is effective.
The concept of segmentation (different products doing the same thing) is very effective for products of this nature. You dislike the commercial, but it got your attention didn’t it?
Furthermore, all advertisers know that humor is not the way to go to promote a product.
Some commercials are still humorous, however. The Aflac commercials crack me up. Come on, you know you like them too.
However, that is not the point. The point is that humor is not an international language. What is funny to you and me may be very offensive in some cultures. Advertising is trying to break the cultural barrier, but in order for this to happen it has to be ethical and culturally unbiased. That may absolve the fun factor, but that’s just the way it has to be.
The Cadbury commercials are amusing to me as well. The branding concept worked for Cadbury, it can work for other companies as well.
Maybe instead of bashing the informative commercials, we should consider the commercials that use degrading sexual content to sell a product.
Case in point, Hardee’s huge hamburger being eaten by a woman who is grinding away on a mechanical bull. Have you ever seen anyone ride a mechanical bull like that? At that point, who is even looking at the food?
Give the advertising agencies a break. They have rules and guidelines to follow just like everyone else.
Actually, they probably have a job more difficult than most writers. They have to be creative without compromising truth, ethical boundaries or FTC regulations.
Deceptive advertising can be very expensive.
Lori Sampson

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