What Are They Really Selling You? Commercials Exposed!
January 22, 2008 | Written by: Connie Brooks
One of our major themes here at Thrifty Mamas is how to “un-brand” our children. By that I mean, how to keep them from wanting every product Nike ever made, or Disney, or Apple.
There will always be times in our lives where we want to buy the name brand, but we are smart enough to know that it should not always be our first choice. Especially if that decision is based off of a commercial.
The truth is, commercials are behind most of our impulse spending. We see them, we resonate with them, and we purchase the product. So the question is, what are they really selling us? I don’t exactly “resonate” with shampoo, but I sure would like to purchase some of what this company is selling!
We play a simple game at our house, and it’s really a lot of fun. When commercials come on, we try to guess what they are really selling us. Sometimes it’s sex, sometimes it’s power. Lately I have seen more and more ads targeting “busy moms.” As if their product will give us the things we really need: Peace and Time.
These principles are alive and well in children’s commercials too. Any change that we want to see in our children has to first come from our own hearts. With that in mind, we are going to feature a couple of commercials a week and invite you to play with us!
So what do You think they are really selling here? (Adult)
What about this one? (Children’s)
If you like this article, please give it a thumb up in StumbleUpon or a vote at Digg. Thanks a lot! :) You can get our future articles for free by clicking here!
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Comments
3 Responses to “What Are They Really Selling You? Commercials Exposed!”
Let's Talk!
-
Hot Topics:
-
Recent Articles:
-
Categories
-
Resources and Sites I Like:
Feature Your Site Here!
Ok so commercial #1 is selling orgasms to women and this has been their selling point since almost day one.
Commercial #2 Buy a Mercedes get a mistress a 2 for 1 purchase
and Commercial #3 No price is ever too high just spend spend spend lol
at least thats my take on them!
LOL I like Eric’s take on Commercial #2.
The psych major in me sees a common link–I think in both circumstances, they’re preaching that you should have what you want now, now, now. Of course, that’s the point of commercials, to incite a “Gotta have it!” impulse, but these take it a step further, past the product and onto a me, me, me mindset, a lifestyle.
Don’t worry about commitments, waiting until you have the cash, etc. Want extramarital sex? Ok. Just make sure you won’t get caught. Want a new wardrobe but don’t have the money? No problem! Use plastic, think about it later. And the brainwashing starts so early!
They’re selling sex, extravagance, and the idea that what we have is never enough. Again, the car we have isn’t good enough, so we need a Mercedes…the wardrobe we have isn’t fabulous enough so we should hit the mall (or Wal-Mart for the dolls and boutique)–that’s fine, that’s a commercial’s goal. But when your spouse isn’t enough and neither is your budget, well, that’s something completely different.
I’m not sure why some things are glamorized that way. It is interesting that commercials work so well merely by playing on our emotions. They don’t even have to talk much about the products. It’s way more effective than approaching our rational sides.
Either way, I think it’s time for some new shampoo. But I will be keeping my Corolla and my husband. ;)
Crystal,
Thank you for your awesome comment! You know, I had not though of it to that degree but you are so right. It is the now philosophy. More and more we are becoming a society of instant gratification, especially where credit is concerned.
And if something is emotionally wrong in our lives, well, we can just buy the next shiny object we see and we will feel much better.
You sure gave me a lot to think about, thank you!