Advertising Reflects Everything

Here in San Francisco we have something called "casual carpools." People line up, you pick them up in your car, and then you can cross the Bay Bridge in the carpool lane.

I once picked up a crazy old lady who thought every license plate had a secret meaning. The whole trip she was trying to interpret license plates. "5JNU361. What do you think that means?"

The advertising press is like that. They think every ad has a significant social context.

So if the economy is lousy, they suddenly notice that there are price ads in the world. If times are good, they brilliantly perceive that luxury goods are for sale.

According to these guys, no matter what is happening in the wider world, it is always reflected in advertising.

In an article entitled, "Down Economic Times Elicit Upbeat Campaigns" The New York Times seems to be surprised that in a bad economy advertisers are trying to portray their products in a positive light.

"It seems counterintuitive to accentuate the positive amid all the downbeat financial news."

Really? What are we supposed to say to consumers? You're ugly and this stuff is shit?

On The Other Hand...
You can't really blame them. Reporters have to come up with bullshit everyday. Just like bloggers.

Loved...
Steffan Postaer's new book, The Happy Soul Industry. This guy runs a huge agency, writes a blog, and produces terrific novels. And I can't even remember to pick up my fucking dry cleaning. (Note to George Parker: I'd say nice things about The Ubiquitous Persuaders, too, if you'd send me a copy you cheap-ass old fuck.)