This morning I was listening to Pop Radio, which I will admit that I sometimes do. I could excuse myself and tell you it was to listen for traffic, but I must admit that sometimes I just have an interest in psycho-analyzing the newscasters and what they choose to announce. While I was conducting this 'research' an advertisement came up for a spa that does those essential things such as liposuction, skin lifts, and hair-lasering (note the sarcasm). They proudly announced that in light of the financial crisis no payments would have to be made till October 2009.
Now I ask you- how is anyone's financial crisis going to be lifted if in a year's time they are billed for expenses they couldn't afford and forgot to budget for? Advertisers, as well as many businesses, do not hesitate to capitalize on lending false sympathy to individuals, while trying to deepen their debt.
Whatever happened to advertising as a means to fulfill a need of the public? Whatever happened to businesses who were honest about their products? Whatever happened to the news as a public service? Okay...rant over, perhaps I should lay off the radio.
1 comment:
I suspect there are a couple explanations. First, there have always been advertisers willing to deceive people. (I think, for example, of the merchants who conned the members of the Children's Crusade.) Secondly, I think there are still lots of honest advertisers out there. And, no, I don't think "honest advertisers" is necessarily a contradiction in terms.
Still, is fraudulent advertising on the rise? Perhaps. Part of that may be a function of the audience: people are more willing or able to be deceived. Then again, it may be a result of the advertising industry itself: perhaps we've become so use to hearing about good deals that we don't even notice any more unless they're RIDICULOUSLY good deals.
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