An Advertising Lullaby

Advertising critics are everywhere. So when you come across a funny interpretation of how the advertising world works, it’s only the right thing to pass it on to other colleagues and friends. With the help of social networks like Facebook and Twitter, it’s easy to post such videos and share with friends. Although I still get emails from friends that like to share information, social networking sites are certainly the way to go.

Joe Pulizzi, a Facebook friend and colleague posted a video of George Carlin in action. He gives a clear warning that if you are easily offended then it might be a good idea not to proceed. However, the late and grate George Carlin is a memorable character, and to hear his take on the purpose of advertising was quite entertaining and definitely worth passing it along.

Check out the video for an entertaining depiction of advertising by the George Carlin from "You Are All Diseased" (1999):



It’s obvious that when consumers are not spending, and companies are laying people off and cutting budgets in half, many industries suffer. Often times advertising gets hits the hardest as Management feels that it is one area that can be scaled back. Executives who succumb to that temptation, however, put the long-term future of their companies at risk, according to Wharton faculty and advertising experts. "The first reaction is to cut, cut, cut, and advertising is one of the first things to go," says Wharton marketing Professor Peter Fader, adding that as companies slash advertising in a downturn, they leave empty space in consumers' minds for aggressive marketers to make strong inroads. Today's economy "provides an unusual opportunity to differentiate yourself and stand out from the crowd," says Fader, "but it takes a lot of courage and convincing to get senior management on board with that."

These difficult times represent an opportunity for companies to use integrated campaigns that mesh traditional outlets with digital media. Just because consumers might not be spending as much now that does not mean that they are looking to dwell in the recession. Eileen Campbell, chief executive of the Millward Brown Group advertising firm in New York City, says "If you can put a positive spin on how you can genuinely help without invoking doom and gloom, I think that's going to be more compelling." Ultimately, companies, marketers and consumers are in this dismal phase together and it’s going to take everyone to put one foot in front of the other to slowly get out of it.