Friday, March 13, 2009

I could really use a Starburst....

I know that we can all talk about how much we hate the big bad marketers and advertisers, but in some ways I think what they do is admirable. Their innovation in getting consumers to look their way is nothing short of amazing.

Pretend we aren't treated as lab rats in a brainwashing world and think about how fun it would be to control the masses and tell them how important it is to have your product and why. Not to mention make sweet awesome commercials that make people think, "Wow, I really do need that snuggie. Having a snuggie will complete my entire existence and my life will be worth living."




I think as long as we know that the sugar coated message behind the spoon fed adverts given to us on a day to day basis are simply ploys for us to buy and buy and buy, we can sit back and just laugh about the best commercial ever:




5 comments:

  1. I wish you hadn't shown the world my sexy dance... *sigh*

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  2. That commercial is awkward. I would really like to see the market research that justifies such a bizarre-o combination of singing and dancing and elf-like clothing. What focus group indicated they would be attracted to a product that marketed itself with weirdness? It must have had supported evidence and strategy behind it, but it seems utterly random. In fact, I feel a slight aversion to Starburst after watching this commercial...

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  3. My dad is a market researcher and I've taken notes at countless focus groups. Companies that are really determined to have successful ads that draw people to their product take the time to research and find out what's appealing and what isn't. To me there is an obvious gap between ads that have been strategically made and ads that have not. Maybe weird works (like in this starburst ad), because it's kind of shocking. It can be a gamble, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

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  4. I completly understand where you are going with this. However, I personally think the snuggie is a great invention. And clearly is either scamming people or it's legit cause they are sold out!

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  5. I think the thing that kills me about the snuggie is that it looks somewhat ridiculous. The first time I saw the commercial online I thought it was fake, until I actually saw the commercial on late night television. It's truly amazing the products that some companies will come up with and do well selling. The thing that kills me is that they show people wearing it outside the home like it's a piece of clothing. Put on a jacket for Pete's sake and then use a blanket to cover yourself. I feel the same way at home. I usually just put on a hoodie and wear a blanket to keep warm if I'm that cold. But i guess the marketers are doing their job if they are getting people to buy it. I almost forgot about that Starburst commercial. It's so creepy it's kinda funny. it's amazing the ploys that some companies will come up with to market their product and get your attention. Starburst has been known to have pretty interesting commercials. I guess if the product sells go with what works.

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