We are all unwitting victim in an advertising executive’s game, a pawn to be moved around by unseen corporative forces, manipulated and shaped until we are programmed to buy their products, invest in their brands and celebrate the wonders of commercialism.
It is what the capitalist world is all about, marketing, advertising, brand identification, credit cards, debt, the purchase of un-necessary goods because some slick high-flyer in London managed to convince you that your life would be better if you did.
It infuriates me that they have this power, that their clever slogans, product placements and subliminal messages brainwash society and make us buy a certain type of toothpaste, sofa, fizzy drink, bleach, chocolate, or whatever else clutters up our supermarket trollies and cupboards.
Mind you, I might be angry with the ad man’s arrogance and manipulation, but I’d still rather wear a pristine pair of classic Adidas trainers than Gola. And you won’t ever catch me in a BHS pair of slacks when I can get my hands on a bad-ass pair of Carhart workpants!
I mean, there’s being manipulated by the advertising men and there's downright stupidity and I’ve got to get my swagger on if you know what I mean. Actually, you probably don’t, but I’ve got standards and advertising or no advertising, I ain’t wearing no Gola.
On this subject do you remember Hi-Tec trainers? I got slaughtered for wearing a pair on my first day at secondary school and instantly demanded a pair of Reebok classics from my mum when I got home.
She didn't buy them until the Hi-Tec had worn out, which, despite my best efforts, took until Christmas which is a long time when you're 11 and at big school.
What about Adidas Two stripe, otherwise known as Woolworth’s own brand? Man, wear them and you may as well put a sign around your neck saying social misfit and sit at the back of science class eating magnesium.
Anyway, there was a point to all this somewhere.... oh yes, that’s right, subliminal advertising and product placement.
For those of us who sat through the England game against Croatia on Wednesday night - at least if you only watched the highlights it was a shorter, sharper sense of pain than the slow torture of watching for 90 minutes - there was a textbook example of the tricks of the trade.
Did you notice, as John Terry and Ashley Cole managed to allow some Croatian short-arse to head in the first goal that, flashing up in bright pink like the Newcastle Falcons second kit, was an advert for Northern Rock.
Ironic, because there was nothing rock like about England’s disorientated defence was there, but also clever because now, when you want to save some money or get a mortgage, your mind will stray to that horrible moment and remember how you cried out for something sturdy, something you could rely on.
Hey presto, you’re on your way to Northern Rock and they’re sponsoring me to go some major international event like this summer’s World Cup!
And it gets better. Are you aware of Borat Sagdiyev, Sacha Baron Cohen Kazakhstani comedy creation? You know, the guy who did Ali G. Well if not, tough.
For, as England’s farcical second goal went in, as Gary Neville trickled a gentle back pass to Paul Robinson - why was he so far off his line for the first goal by the way? - and the ball bounced hilariously over the goalkeeper’s foot and into the empty net, Borat was laughing on the advertising hoarding behind the goal.
Now, when you want comedy of the car crash, painful to watch variety, you’ll instantly think of Borat and his first feature length movie which is coming to a cinema near you. Clever or what?
Please note. I have not received any money from the companies mentioned above, although feel free to send me some. I’ve got principles but I’ve also got an expensive weekend in Manchester lined up either side of Sunderland’s game at Preston North End this weekend so....
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »