The Power Of Advertising
August 29, 2010
The following piece is a word for word copy of written work that I did while I was in rehab for alcohol in 2008. I was still in a haze but quite capable. Some is a little bad grammar-wise but I was beginning to think more clearly.
Advertising and the people responsible for the imagery involved has and have a lot to be held accountable for.
Tobacco companies have for years been restricted in the ways they market their brands because their products are a huge worldwide killer. Not so alcohol. Why? Something which is a social disaster, a wrecker of lives and ultimately, also a massive taker of these lives is free to push its demonic influence on a population of naive and suggestible addictive personalities.
From Dublin to Nigeria and back with a port of call in every town, who can forget the Guinness adverts? Roughly a hundred year campaign that is only growing stronger. Powerful stuff, and like a tattoo on the mind, this is a brand in more ways than one, needing more than laser surgery to remove it.
Some of the best advertising minds going are at work in this phenomenal business. One of the best adverts on TV, visually, is for Smirnoff vodka. As for the slogans? 'Carlsberg. Probably the most disgusting lager in the world.' Hold on. I think I'll just go and buy some. 'Fosters - the amber nectar.' Nectar? Well I'll have some anyway. Harp - 'Sharp to the bottom of the glass.' Ancient but unforgettable. Some don't even have to say anything. 'Carling black lable.' 'Gordon's and tonic.' Not gin and tonic, Gordon's.
With alcohol being a product that people just want anyway, it has become a war of brand name pushing. Is this not what it is - legal drug pushing? Imagine if it were a free-for-all. "SMACK ATTACK! Real men go for Belt and Spoon!" "Friend's brand Marijuana - 'A Friend in weed is a Friend indeed.'" "Nervous Breakdown LSD - You won't believe your eyes." (free anti-depression prescription with every 100 trips)
Some creative thinkers out there are being very well paid at the expense of the world's vulnerable and needy population.
So remember as you drink your overpriced hooch, they are not interested in, "Your health." only. "Their wealth."
CHEERS!
(Think responsibly.)
Advertising and the people responsible for the imagery involved has and have a lot to be held accountable for.
Tobacco companies have for years been restricted in the ways they market their brands because their products are a huge worldwide killer. Not so alcohol. Why? Something which is a social disaster, a wrecker of lives and ultimately, also a massive taker of these lives is free to push its demonic influence on a population of naive and suggestible addictive personalities.
From Dublin to Nigeria and back with a port of call in every town, who can forget the Guinness adverts? Roughly a hundred year campaign that is only growing stronger. Powerful stuff, and like a tattoo on the mind, this is a brand in more ways than one, needing more than laser surgery to remove it.
Some of the best advertising minds going are at work in this phenomenal business. One of the best adverts on TV, visually, is for Smirnoff vodka. As for the slogans? 'Carlsberg. Probably the most disgusting lager in the world.' Hold on. I think I'll just go and buy some. 'Fosters - the amber nectar.' Nectar? Well I'll have some anyway. Harp - 'Sharp to the bottom of the glass.' Ancient but unforgettable. Some don't even have to say anything. 'Carling black lable.' 'Gordon's and tonic.' Not gin and tonic, Gordon's.
With alcohol being a product that people just want anyway, it has become a war of brand name pushing. Is this not what it is - legal drug pushing? Imagine if it were a free-for-all. "SMACK ATTACK! Real men go for Belt and Spoon!" "Friend's brand Marijuana - 'A Friend in weed is a Friend indeed.'" "Nervous Breakdown LSD - You won't believe your eyes." (free anti-depression prescription with every 100 trips)
Some creative thinkers out there are being very well paid at the expense of the world's vulnerable and needy population.
So remember as you drink your overpriced hooch, they are not interested in, "Your health." only. "Their wealth."
CHEERS!
(Think responsibly.)
Posted by Dante Cordero.
I am unique and special, there is only one of me. But that doesn't make me better than anyone I see.
