Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Bailing Out The Stimulus Packages

Everyone knows that advertising has to be clever, memorable, and of course original. Sometimes I see advertisements that make me scratch my head and wonder why that company's advertising director isn't out looking for a job. And sometimes I see ads that make me smile and say "whatever they are paying this guy it can't be enough." Obviously, a business owner aspires to have ads of the latter variety.

An important factor in advertising: it's gotta strike an appropriate balance between the three factors I mentioned above. I mean, there is this beer ad that my family and I saw on the Superbowl YEARS ago, and it was funny, so I remember it, but in truth, it wasn't original, so to this day none of us remember which beer company the ad was for. Similarly, there was a soft drink ad in which the salesman scorned his own drink, and chose the competition. While the ad was done in a funny way, it was a real waste of time, because I have no idea if he was selling coke and chose Pepsi, or vice versa. In essence, all that ad did was highlight the enormous similarities between coke and Pepsi. If you ask me (don't), that's an advertising failure.
If someone says "But I do have good news," it's almost unnecessary to say "I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to Geico." As annoying as some of their ads may be, it is obviously a very effective strategy, because people have learned to associate good news with Geico. It's a similar story with US window factory. If someone says "we told you so!" an an annoying enough tone of voice, you automatically think of US Window Factory. So whether the ad is enjoyable or not, they have succeeded (isn't getting mentioned on BOSD the height of success?).
Why then, one might ask, do companies still think of themselves as super clever when they re-use the same stale advertising strategy that graces at least five different ads in the Mishpacha Magazine each week:
The Economic Stimulus Package.
Seriously, when will these companies realize that they are no longer clever or memorable? And when will these companies realize that they are about six months and many companies too late to be anywhere in the same zip code as original?
Whether they are throwing a free tie in as a stimulus package for customers who purchase hats, or they sell a pre-cut wig at a reduced, or stimulus rate, or even if they sell a box of red, white and blue ices for cheaper, it's enough stimulation! The jokes about bailing out the bagel shop and providing stimulus packages of tomato dip are so old, so dead, it's laughable.
Seriously, enough! I don't even WANT to be bailed out!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

BTW who was the original company who used the stimulus plan as part of its advertising?

Staying Afloat said...

I recently saw an ad for "Stimulus" popsicles. They're red, white and blue and it actually says "Stimulus" on the box. Scary.

Ezzie said...

Seriously. Agreed.

Something Different said...

Anon- I guess I kinda feel bad for them that the other companies stole away the teeny bit of originality they had, huh? But I don't feel that bad, because it's not all that clever to begin with.

SA- Yeah, that ad inspired this post. What a great message for the kids. "Mommy and tatty had to be bailed out just to afford ices for you".
Gosh.

Ezzie- Woohoo! :-p

Mikeinmidwood said...

Someone gave me a shaloch manos stimulus package, back then it was original.

smb said...

I like the part about Geico.

I agree, the stimulus is getting old

Something Different said...

LVNSM-
phsycic hotline?
please tell me my future?
ahh...I have goood neews
I'll be rich and successful?
noo, I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to geico

Er, yeah I do have a life, why do you ask? :-p

thinking... said...

ahhh yesss I remember that one.

Also:

Speed [Racer], the bridge is out ahead! You're in extreme danger!
ahhh the bridge is out??!!
But don't worry Speed, I've got good news for you!
Tell me trixie!!
etc etc

:)

something like that...

Something Different said...

thinking- I don't remember hearing that one, but here is my all time favorite ad from this geico series. (I liked other series better though.)

(paraphrasing, because I don't remember the exact words.)

loud sobbing
What is it honey?
sob...I realized that I am in love with you, and as long as you are married to Jennifer, nothing can happen between us
Oh darling, stop crying. I have good news!
you are going to divorce Jennifer?
No, I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to geico!

:-p