tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post5979338540172653837..comments2023-09-15T04:27:57.129-04:00Comments on Commentarama: NewsvertisingAndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-12105449739011055842010-07-18T21:27:25.516-04:002010-07-18T21:27:25.516-04:00USS Ben, I think a lot of people do that. We gene...USS Ben, I think a lot of people do that. We generally mute commercial breaks by now because they've become so obnoxious.<br /><br />And like you, I generally hold all those tricks against the product. So they are only hurting themselves when they do things like turn up the volume.<br /><br />On the dog, I figured you knew -- I remembered that you have your own black Dachshund!!AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-1655708134117831102010-07-18T21:22:36.058-04:002010-07-18T21:22:36.058-04:00So true. You know, I do remember the loudest and n...So true. You know, I do remember the loudest and nerve-grating commercials but it has the opposite effect on me.<br />They irritate me so much I make it a point not to buy their products (I hope you advertisers read this blog, hint hint) (If not, you should).<br /><br />Hey, no need to apologize, Andrew, I know you got a life outside of blogging, especially with your new family member, lol.<br />I can relate! :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-42147632911494816162010-07-18T00:40:24.140-04:002010-07-18T00:40:24.140-04:00USS Ben, Thanks! I'm glad you liked the artic...USS Ben, Thanks! I'm glad you liked the article and I'm glad you agree. I too think this is very dangerous.<br /><br />There was an interesting scientific study the other day that said that subliminal advertising is not as effective as they thought when the idea first came up, BUT that it didn't matter because the constant bombardment with images was enough change people's behaviors even without them realizing it. In other words, if you hit people with enough advertising, you can change their behavior -- not necessarily for a particular product, but in general.<br /><br />I see this as a real danger if we have a small cadre of people out there flooding society with messages that really run counter to our best interests.<br /><br />And now adding in the news, a supposedly trustworthy source, only makes this all the worse. Not only can we no longer trust that anything we are told on the news (or these other channels) is true, but they are busy trying to warp our very way of thinking. To help their sponsors.<br /><br />That's almost something out of science fiction!<br /><br />(P.S. Sorry it took me so long to respond, but it's been a busy day.)AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-71272567261274569682010-07-17T14:54:37.751-04:002010-07-17T14:54:37.751-04:00I concur, Andrew!
I remember reading a book in th...I concur, Andrew!<br /><br />I remember reading a book in the 70's called Subliminal Suggestion (or something like that) in advertising.<br /><br />Now it's so constant, widespread and overtly in your face it gets to be very annoying (to say the least).<br /><br />It really irks me when some commercials are several decibals louder than the program I'm watching. <br /><br />You hit the nail on the head by exposing the collaboration of news organizations with hollywood, businesses, and various groups.<br /><br />Other channels do it too, for example Animal Planet and Discovery will support Greenpeace or repeat (and promote) the debunked "climate change" BS, or some other debunked leftist meme.<br /><br />They follow the same business plan as those that collaborate with advertisers.<br /><br />It's a shame that journalists, sports reporters, and even scientists are shamelessly promoting their commercials during regular programming without any critical thought whatsoever.<br />No objectivity. Apparently they are happy to be bought out rather than think for themselves.<br /><br />It not only hurts their credibility but it hurts their viewers too.<br />I'm gonna tell anyone that'll listen, because this is a dangerous precedent IMO.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-56022622404376449852010-07-17T09:09:55.894-04:002010-07-17T09:09:55.894-04:00Individualist, Getting the people on the right all...Individualist, Getting the people on the right all worked up has long been a very solid marketing strategy. What the Beatles did on accident, most bands (and many actors) do on purpose today. If you get church groups and right-wing pundits whining about you, your sales skyrocket. 2 Live Crew proved that.<br /><br />And the company who has been best at that is Disney. They created a separate "adult" division and immediately began releasing things that infuriated all the church group. Every time it worked like a charm because it got them free publicity.<br /><br />Another example of this are Super Bowl ads. What companies try to do now is to create ads that the Super Bowl won't run. That way they get free publicity on Fox News of CNN because they were shot down. It's a heck of a lot better publicity (and a lot cheaper) than paying $3 for one 30 second ad that will be lost in the crowd.<br /><br />In terms of Cyrus, she's using the media outrage to help her re-brand -- just like Spears, Aguilera, Gaga and the rest. This week, it's a blasphemous photo of Lohan that's being used to generate hype for a film. And the Bigs fall for it, just like the churches and the conservative pundits.<br /><br />FYI, this morning there is a story about whether or not Ryan Reynolds' costume is too tight in the up-coming Green Lanterns film. Is that really news or is that newsvertising?AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-16674091827493259642010-07-17T02:44:37.165-04:002010-07-17T02:44:37.165-04:00You know sometimes I wonder if this even affects B...You know sometimes I wonder if this even affects Big Hollywood.<br /><br />I noticed a blog post by a country singer I never heard of defaming Miley Cirus. Then there was another post on Breitbart.TV or one of the other Bigs about Miley Cirus being a "p--" for wearing sexy outfits in some video.<br /><br />I am thinking she's what 17, 18 and if she wants to stay relelvant she needs to cater to the high school girls who were the 7 and eight year olds from a few years before that where her fan base. The clothes while sexy were not Madonnaesque and I am left wondering What?.<br /><br />The only reasonable explanation I guess is that maybe being panned on Big Hollywood helps her with the POP crowd, not sure but something bothered me about it.Individualisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11005025873042230314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-46050829921012576192010-07-16T13:56:59.064-04:002010-07-16T13:56:59.064-04:00Patti, that happens to me too. I am fine with see...Patti, that happens to me too. I am fine with seeing brands spread around a house or whatever, but as soon as the characters start mentioning brand names or the camera focuses on a product, then I instantly fall out of the story and I start thinking about this was put there to sell to me.<br /><br />I actually here this from a lot of people, and I wonder if advertisers consider this?AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-23875631942189987662010-07-16T13:47:29.565-04:002010-07-16T13:47:29.565-04:00when i'm watching a movie and there is blatant...when i'm watching a movie and there is blatant product placement, it ALWAYS takes me out of the story. i know this isn't the same, but it's everywhere and it's annoying.pattihttp://www.notawonk.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-38667379237611756932010-07-16T13:30:09.081-04:002010-07-16T13:30:09.081-04:00Mega, Believe it or not, the relationship is very ...Mega, Believe it or not, the relationship is very similar. The Democrats do pass out talking points and the such, and there is a whole industry of talking heads (you see them on TV as "Democratic/Republican Strategist") who work with reporters to make sure they get good entertainment. In exchange, they get notoriety, they get to promote their books, etc. And the Democrats at least, get the news to act like a marketing agent for them.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-32782853234890310882010-07-16T13:22:32.646-04:002010-07-16T13:22:32.646-04:00Interesting stuff. If you think about it, even th...Interesting stuff. If you think about it, even the political news has become an advertisement for the Democrats.MegaTrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03234420338804013858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-89136253081988383292010-07-16T13:14:17.621-04:002010-07-16T13:14:17.621-04:00Ed, You're welcome! I see it everywhere these...Ed, You're welcome! I see it everywhere these days. I didn't used to, but then I think the lines between marketing and reporter were much more clear. These days they've blurred it so much that they don't even think twice about running a segment touting the products of a sponsor.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-39632735955575088442010-07-16T12:59:17.222-04:002010-07-16T12:59:17.222-04:00At first, I wasn't sure you were right. When ...At first, I wasn't sure you were right. When I started reading the article, I said, 'news is news and the rest is just garbage.' But then I started thinking about the examples you use and I started thinking about the stories I saw yesterday on the news and heck if you aren't right.<br /><br />I swear it honestly never occured to me that I was being sold to every time I turned on the news. But now I see it everywhere.<br /><br />Thanks. Seriously.Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-17284053779792294672010-07-16T11:46:38.733-04:002010-07-16T11:46:38.733-04:00Lawhawk, That's excellent advice, and it seems...Lawhawk, That's excellent advice, and it seems to be becoming better and better advice every day. When the news is not independent, you don't get the truth, you get what the "sponsor" wants you to know.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-69052327427445577222010-07-16T11:27:35.265-04:002010-07-16T11:27:35.265-04:00Andrew: More proof that my parents' advice wa...Andrew: More proof that my parents' advice was right: "Believe nothing you hear, and half of what you see." Sadly, it seems as though even that half is now in danger.LawHawkRFDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17800255923675295515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-36838539489859869902010-07-16T10:53:52.193-04:002010-07-16T10:53:52.193-04:00Joel, I think that a lot of what used to be filler...Joel, I think that a lot of what used to be filler is now considered primary news under the guise of being "human interest". And that's where things started to blur, because it opened the door for marketing people to "help out." And that's what has been happening. That's how they developed this symbiotic relationship that is so harmful.<br /><br />I would have skipped the razor article except that they started talking about it on talk radio and then I saw it again when I was passing by CNN. And since it was obviously product placement despite the supposed "anti-new-razor" premise of the article, I watched it just to see how far they would take it. . . pretty far it turns out.<br /><br />Yahoo, by the way, is the worst for thinly-veiled advertising as "news." Most of what the provide other than wire feeds is pure advertising.<br /><br />I use the tv for white noise as well. I often use the History Channel or Discovery or something like that.<br /><br />Yeah, I see Obama on a lot of adds for mortgage refinancing. I'll bet that changes soon though.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-81754602839168348232010-07-16T10:39:25.927-04:002010-07-16T10:39:25.927-04:00Andrew,
My dad used to be a newspaper man and the...Andrew,<br /><br />My dad used to be a newspaper man and then later an editor for the Sacramento Bee. He would watch news at night and tell me that this was filler or that it was a slow news day. It isn't anymore. <br /><br />I saw a news item on yahoo news about razors and "How men don't like the new ones." I have a tendency to ignore it.<br /><br />I also have a tendency to put something like History Channel on as background noise. I am not really watching it, but every so often there is "breaking news" which turns out to be advertisment using Barack's visage. <br /><br />I wonder if Barack gets a percentage?Joel Farnhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15856960977033430002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-17794555165402805822010-07-16T10:22:55.315-04:002010-07-16T10:22:55.315-04:00Joel, I agree. The Food Network and a couple othe...Joel, I agree. The Food Network and a couple others are basically product placement networks -- though I don't object because you basically know that going in.<br /><br />I understand that PBS once fired Bob Villa because he spent too much time promoting Craftsman tools -- ironic given the open endorsements they use today!<br /><br />What bothers me is when you see it on the real news. Like you mention with the two stories on FOX, I saw one yesterday that was literally an ad for Madden NFL -- the question the reporter claimed to be reporting on was: "will Madden be as big a hit as every other year or will NCAA Football 2011 beat it out this year." Where is the news value in that? That is pure product placement.<br /><br />Not coincidentally, the segment included all kinds of screen shots, interviews with the developers, and even a mention of where you could buy it. Give me a break!<br /><br />There's also been a lengthy article about razors that a lot of news people are picking up. Ostensibly, this article is about "men are sick of the razor companies coming out with new products every so often." But the main thrust of the story ends up being why they keep "innovating" new razors, what the new brands are, how popular each is, and how good the companies are for still supporting older ones. It even has pricing information on the new products. If this thing wasn't prepared by a marketing department, then I would be surprised.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-90094973080203187172010-07-16T09:57:13.013-04:002010-07-16T09:57:13.013-04:00Andrew,
It is especially obvious on the food netw...Andrew,<br /><br />It is especially obvious on the food network channel. I am convinced it is only to show-case restaurants and food. To be fair it is presented in interesting ways and there are competitions to observe and such, but to me it is still a day-long advertisment. <br /><br />I don't mind so much when it is obvious. I just don't like it on news channels like FOX news. There were at least two today. One for "free" pitas giving out and the other for a New Jersey workout. <br /><br />I have no problem with capitalism nor enterprenuership, but ....... give me a break!!!!!!Joel Farnhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15856960977033430002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-19169633085740202992010-07-16T09:25:43.708-04:002010-07-16T09:25:43.708-04:00Jed, P.S. On "willingly continuing to fall p...Jed, P.S. On "willingly continuing to fall prey" to this manipulation. I know exactly what you mean. I am amazed how effective a full on marketing campaign can be.<br /><br />I know people who say things like "why the heck would I want to see that?" or "I don't need to buy that." And then they get hit with story after story about how this is the greatest thing ever, how cool the actors are, how innovative the thing is, how everybody wants one, etc. And before it's over, these same people are telling me, "I'm really excited to see/buy it!"<br /><br />And if I point this out, they say, "I don't pay attention to ads." Yet, they are parroting the themes from the ads and the "news stories" about the product.<br /><br />It's truly stunning.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-17429149153484360742010-07-16T09:20:03.759-04:002010-07-16T09:20:03.759-04:00Jed, I suspect there has always been a fairly clos...Jed, I suspect there has always been a fairly close relationship between the news and advertising, particularly as "sponsors" are the driver for television income.<br /><br />But it always seemed to me that the news people, i.e. reporters (before they became "journalists," at least tried to present the news with some integrity. Today, they really have allowed themselves to become marketing tools. I'm shocked how often I see some segment and when it's done I find myself asking, "other than telling me to buy some product, where was the news there?"<br /><br />And as I'm seeing more and more studies about the effects of repeated messages on the human mind, and the involuntary nature of the human reaction, it's bothering me more and more.<br /><br />Plus, I really am sick of this feeling that I just can't believe <i>anything</i> I see on the news anymore.<br /><br />I agree about education and exposing this stuff. Sadly, the people whose job it should be to expose this have let themselves be co-opted.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4425587034622601550.post-21204379685564141832010-07-16T09:12:46.396-04:002010-07-16T09:12:46.396-04:00With a father in advertising, I think I was a lot ...With a father in advertising, I think I was a lot more aware of the "Hidden Pursuaders" and the impact of the "Mad Men" all the way back to the late 50's. Probably more than anything, the over abundance of choices has caused it to flourish. This has caused competition. Why did MSNBC decide to go openly left? They were getting killed in the ratings and hoped they could become the "Fox" of the left.<br /><br />Interestingly, as we mature and grow older, these attempts to manipulate us become more obvious to us, and yet we often willingly continue to fall prey.<br /><br />As you and I have often discussed, we really don't want news to be right or left, rather independent and honest. I still believe that can be done in a way that will not be so academic and boring as to turn away the majority of audience.<br /><br />In the mean time, we must all continue to educate whenever we can to expose bullshit for what it is.Tennessee Jedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.com