We recently re-subscribed to satellite TV after an absence of around a year. There are many reasons for us returning to the fold: the genius of Sky+, endless repeats of Ironside, and a wider variety of “nothing on the telly” than we had before. But one of the main reasons we got it is for the kids channels. Cbeebies on freeview is all very well and good, but it’s worthiness and dare I say banality gets a little wearing after a while.
One side effect of all these different channels is that Amy is being exposed to advertising like never before. She sits glued to the TV during the breaks and after each commercial turns to us and asks “Can I have one of those?”.
Of course her mind is young and easily manipulated. You wouldn’t catch a mature and culturally literate man such as myself become prey to the sub conscious influence of the advertiser’s slogans. Whether I’m looking for a breakfast of champions or some milk chocolate that melts in my mouth not in my hand, I make sure I am choosing the real thing. I want quality products at reasonable prices and the best a man can get, not whatever some suit in an office thinks I should be using my flexible friend on. Advertising executives are grrreat at asking where do you want to go today and making you think that their products will put you in the happiest place on earth. But you need to block out their messages.
Take a leaf from my book and don’t fall for their tricks, have it your own way. You need to challenge everything, think different, and just do it. Choose freedom and don’t listen to the advertiser’s propaganda, no matter how finger lickin’ good they make it sound. They would like you to think that only smarties have the answer, but they underestimate the public - we know when we’ve been tangoed, we can tell if its live or if it’s memorex.
I have a feeling that there is something special in the air. Maybe its frustration with being lied to, maybe its the impact of consumerism on the planet, or maybe it’s maybelline; but there is an explosion of disgruntlement coming, and once we pop we can’t stop. Life is short, play hard and live your life. Because life is complicated enough without branding. For successful living you have to lift and separate the truth from the lies or you will end up with the 501 blues. You need to look sharp, feel sharp and make sure you are making the right choices. Because, after all, you’re worth it.
That must have taken ages to write!
Ironically, I was suggesting to Hayley this morning that we ditch the Kids channels on Sky because Oliver only watches CBeebies!
This is partially down to the fact that he has DVDs for the likes of Thomas (available on NickJr) and Barney (available on Cartoonito), but also because I do tend to switch off the other channels. That’s partially because they are advert-laden and partially because they seem targetted at older kids. (Oliver will be 2 on Saturday.)
And of course the best option is to opt for the Kids channels for a month and then record as many episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine and Barney as humanly possible on the Sky+, before cancelling those channels again. Tight? Me?
Awesome post. I loved “maybe it’s maybelline.”
“Can I have one of those?” must be the British version of yelling “I WANT THAT!” at full volume.
Very clever, and true, but I’m still thinking about your “flexible friend” and not sure that I’m comfortable with it.
Wow!I never thought you had such a level of brilliance in you. Best post I’ve read anywhere in a long while…
This post is great! I bet eight out ten bloggers will prefer it! Thye might start asking for it by name.
Well, it IS a good thing you didn’t become prey to the sub conscious influence of the advertiser’s slogans.
You’re a strong, strong man Dan.
the only way this post could’ve been better, was if you applied it directly to my forehead.
Brilliant!!!!
You do know your advertising, sir.
Ahem. Laphroaig. As a marketing executive I would like to clarify the fact that I do not sell anything. Laphroaig. I only offer personal satisfaction through purchasing decisions. Laphroaig. Whith each purchase you make a choice. Laphroaig. Choose well, and just be happy. Laphroaig. That’s all we ask for. Laphroaig. Your happiness. Laphroaig.