The woke ads on TV

Has there been a break through? Last night I was watching an old movie (Sweet home Alabama, 2002, forgotten the channel) and there was a 10 commercial break. 8 of the 10 DID NOT have a minority as lead spox/actor, and the 10th was for Lincoln and had no people in it at all. Later I was watching another channel, forgotten the topic, and it was the same way. Let's hope this break out of sanity continues. I think the constant push for minorities in ads was working against the systemic racism message. Ads are unrealistic as it is and if you combine all that luxury, good life and fun and games with handsome, healthy POC, it just doesn't show well with the news media's woke messages about how evil and racist Americans are. Perhaps a stockholder or two noticed it.

Gimme some of that

The St. Louis Federal Reserve website has an "Economic Equity Series" within its publications category. "Podcast about advancing a more inclusive and equitable economy." Sorry, Charlie, the job's already finished! Just watch the ads on TV. All the actors (and I assume writers, directors, stage managers, set designers, camera operators, editors, and producers) are 99% black and/or the occasional Asian or Hispanic. You can see for yourself that American blacks drive Mercedes, vacation in $100,000 RVs, wait in line for Starbucks $10 coffee, grill in the back yards of multimillion dollar homes with neighbors of all makes and models, wear designer clothes, visit the doctor and dentist regularly, and travel to exotic locations. The only white actors are filling the roles of the farmers, plumbers, wind shield replacers and gutter cleaners. Not only are the upper middle class consumers black, but the servers and salespeople are too! It's amazing how since May 2020 America has become so woke that there are no more "marginalized and poor" people of color. That must look pretty good to those border jumpers from 160 countries rushing our southern border.

The equity is that because most of the poor and marginalized 13% in the USA are actually white, the low income blacks can now sit in front of the TV just like low income whites and wonder how they can get on that gravy train.

Merle Norman

"Coverage: Medium to Full. Finish: Dewy. For dry skin types.

What makes this Merle Norman original foundation a cult classic? It has kept a multitude of complexions looking young and beautiful. Layer it to achieve maximum foundation coverage. The long-wearing creamy formula provides the base for a gorgeous face by protecting against the drying effects of the sun, wind and environmental pollutants."

Feel beautiful just reading the ad. Dewy. A cult classic. Young and beautiful. Creamy formula. Gorgeous. Protection from environmental pollutants.

I've been using it for 40 years.

Why retirees have problems cleaning out the files

Have you ever tried to clean out your storage or files and found out it takes days to go through one drawer or file cabinet or closet? For me, the big mistake is sitting down to read something I wrote 25-30 years ago. I don't know what happens in the offices of retired pastors who preach every Sunday and lead Bible studies or school teachers who saved reams of projects and lesson plans, but it's a nightmare for librarians like me who have attend hundreds of meetings and who had publishing requirements for promotion and tenure and saved all their notes.

For instance, my notes (never published because they were for me) for "The Ohio White House Conferences on Library and Information Services--Literacy," September 27 (1990?) held at the Worthington Holiday Inn. I'm not sure why I attended--it seemed to be for public librarians, and not academic. We live in different worlds and focus on totally different problems and clientele. Ohio doesn't have a "White House" so the title means each state or region was having meetings to funnel information back to the President--George H.W. Bush--information on which any administration rarely acts, but the money would have come from the federal government. My writing style always includes off topic ideas that occur to me, so before I wrote out my notes, I commented on the poor representation of the media at this conference and I blamed my profession, not the media.

"Librarians have been notorious for not being able to market their product. Distilleries put their information on billboards in the inner city and at interstate exchanges. Librarians put notices on bookmarks which can only be picked up in libraries. Cigarette companies give away cigarettes to induce a life time addiction. Librarians give away time and effort registering voters and showing movies in hopes that the user might check out a book. Librarians sponsor National Library Week when for the cost they could probably create one of those phony commercial talk shows for cable television that are on every channel from midnight on. Targeting neighborhoods with direct mail campaigns has sold millions of dollars worth of goods, but when was the last time you received a doorhanger from the library except at levy time? Have you ever received a phone call from a telemarketer interrupting your dinner to ask if your library card in current?

There are millions of literate people who never set foot in a library. They either don't need them, don't like them, or have had bad experiences in them. They join book clubs, subscribe to magazines and newspapers; they visit book stores and book sales, but not libraries. There are also millions of literate people who are non-readers. . .

The largest, single common denominator identifying all librarians is that we are members of that particular cultural group--the readers. We are so chauvinistic we cannot imagine anyone could be happy who doesn't share this common trait. Librarians have created every imaginable network, coalition, association, and service organization to lure people into their libraries, but they haven't been able to keep libraries in the schools, not even with all the dues we pay. We can't even get a librarian appointed as the "Librarian of Congress." [note: that did finally happen under Obama--a 3-fer, Carla Hayden, black, female, librarian]."

And I went on to mention the dropping numbers (30 years ago) for literacy among children, even in families where moms read to them. Then I wrote about the activities at my public library that week for children: 4 programs involving movies, and 3 for Halloween crafts.

I went on and on for pages--have no idea what happened at the conference. This was 8 typed pages, and no information on what resulted from the meeting. There is a printed report listed on Amazon as out of stock, Jan. 1, 1990, and a copy in the OSU library.

Maybe some attitudes have changed in libraries the last 30 years. I'm no longer an insider. If there were two institutions that should have been considered essential during this shut down it was churches and libraries. Both are filled with evangelists for their passion, and both were silenced, submissive and shuttered.

Can media survive the Trump presidency?

Journalistic standards were dropping 3-4 decades before Trump won, and the editorial bias was to the left. However, once the print media had to compete with the internet media things really got serious.  The media, both old school and new, are dependent on ads for income.  Sure, some have subscriptions, (one is actually owned by the richest man in the world and could care less about accuracy) but now it's all about the click count or full page ads of faculty names or companies supporting climate scares or fighting the rape culture. If you've noticed, some of the on-line content not only isn't information or commentary, but it's disguised advertising. Pew says newspaper print ad revenue fell by 2/3 between 2006 and 2016. But what brings on the clicks?  Any salacious and twisted story about President Trump.  They helped create his campaign by giving him so much coverage, and now they're still dependent on him while they attempt to destroy him, but in the process use him to fatten their sad bank accounts.

Yes, Trump blasts "fake news" and that gets journalists worked up who then fight back, but unfortunately they don't even see their own biases and some really believe they are being objective and fair. And then there are revelations like those of Andrew McCabe's book which just prove him right again.

Conservatives knew for years before the 2016 election that they weren't being treated fairly, that the intellectual "elites" in the media, academe, DC, the state houses, and entertainment were slamming, ridiculing and dissing them. So it's been a perfect storm--falling advertising revenue, loss of readership by customers who don't trust them (most people don't enjoy being insulted by someone who wants to sell them something), and a President who calls them out on their bias.

I would like to see the old print media survive, and the web media improve, but they've got a few miles to go to win back the country and become solvent again.



"If you’re a working journalist and you believe that Donald J. Trump is a demagogue playing to the nation’s worst racist and nationalistic tendencies, that he cozies up to anti-American dictators and that he would be dangerous with control of the United States nuclear codes, how the heck are you supposed to cover him?

Because if you believe all of those things, you have to throw out the textbook American journalism has been using for the better part of the past half-century, if not longer, and approach it in a way you’ve never approached anything in your career. If you view a Trump presidency as something that’s potentially dangerous, then your reporting is going to reflect that. You would move closer than you’ve ever been to being oppositional. That’s uncomfortable and uncharted territory for every mainstream, nonopinion journalist I’ve ever known, and by normal standards, untenable."  https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/08/business/balance-fairness-and-a-proudly-provocative-presidential-candidate.html

I won't be watching, but full disclosure, I never do.

"The National Football League rejected an advertisement for its official Super Bowl LII programs that urged players and people who attend the game to stand during the national anthem, according to American Veterans, the organization that submitted the ad.

Omitted from the programs was a full-page ad picturing the American flag, saluting soldiers and the words “Please Stand,” referring to the movement of NFL players protesting racial inequality and injustice by kneeling during the performance of the national anthem before the start of games." 

https://www.stripes.com/news/nfl-rejects-super-bowl-ad-from-veterans-group-that-asks-players-to-stand-during-anthem-1.507977

You know the drill.

Mayo Clinic Health Letter advertising

In yesterday's mail we received a large envelop. It contained 8 pages of a description of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter on lined paper, legal size.  It's obviously geared to older people because there was an additional smaller page on sticky paper on top of page 1 about robust people in their 70s and 80s and beyond.

I suppose many older people would just sit down in the recliner and read the whole thing.  Not me. I'm just blogging about it before it goes in the waste basket.  What usually works for me is a free sample of the product along with a half page or card explaining the offer.

The Jardiance Commercial

Have you seen the Jardiance Commercial called “Big News?” It’s actually quite engaging and I would give it a prize in the ad world (whatever that is). I’d seen it several times in the morning using my exercycle, and finally looked it up.  It begins with a camera crew of 4 strolling in a park, and the 40-something, fashionably gray interviewer with glasses (Jordan Murphy), asking people questions and showing them the ad on his i-pad (which we then also see as though we are there looking over his shoulder). Everyone he interviews is overweight and dressed in oversized clothing—jeans, sweats, slouch caps, sweaters, just the sort of stuff you wear in a park, or to hide the extra pounds. All seemed to be in the 50-60 age range.  The TV ad staff—young black woman assistant and two young white cameraman and sound assistant-- are not overweight and in their 20s.

The ad (on the i-pad) did not say a word about weight.  But it’s all over the ad.  Subtle.  Well played.

Truth is hard

I used to watch Dana occasionally when we had a subscription to Glenn Beck, and now see her primarily advertising various health products. She has a radio show and has written some books.

Dana Loesch responded to attacks from the Left about her ad about the violence of the Left. “I am proud of this ad. I endorse personally the message of this ad. It’s a fantastic ad and it holds up a mirror to the violent aspects of the left.” Appearing on NRATV, she used a visual of the “Resist” closed fist symbol to state that the same people claiming she is inciting violence, are the ones who have been organizing riots, destroying property, burning down campuses and hurting people. “I don’t have to remind you or anyone else of what happened sadly just two weeks ago, when a leftist went to a ball field with a list of Republican Congressmen,” said Loesch. The visual representation was also a response to critics of the ad who took offense to one of Loesch’s closing lines: “the only way we save our country and our freedom is to fight this violence of lies with the clenched fist of truth.” During her appearance Thursday, Loesch stated, “When I say the clenched fist of truth, I mean the clenched fist of truth.” Note:  I can't get the link to actually work--maybe you can.
https://www.nratv.com/series/stinchfield/video/stinchfield-dana-loesch-petition-calling-for-removal-of-nra-video-on-facebook/episode/stinchfield-season-1-episode-126/

Advertising that demeans women

Is it sexist, racist, homophobic or just anti-woman to show women in mental confusion in various stages of undress and their underwear having a bad hair day in a wind storm over shoes?  I love Clarks; wonderful shoes with styles that still include Mary Janes of all types, decent athletic shoes, loafers, and sensible heels, even if you have to scroll on by the platforms and tipsy topsy strapsy stuff.  But why make women look like anorexics who just escaped a concentration camp without a hair dryer or make up?

The Super Bowl ads

I watched only the overtime of Super Bowl LI, and thought it was pretty exciting when I caught up on what had happened 2nd half. On Monday and Tuesday it was still being debated for non-football reasons--particularly the ads, which I didn't see--also didn't see Lady GaGa. But everything seems to be political.

 "Many Americans watch the game for the ads. Audi hectored us about the phony gender wage gap. But immigration was the dominant theme, with not one, not two but three ads ...moralizing about the issue — the one from 84 Lumber being the most heavy handed. We suspect most Americans vastly prefer to be entertained by humorous and silly commercials than ads designed to shame half the population. The same goes for the sport itself. We watch to see the clash of combatants on the gridiron, not the pouty nonsense of kneeling social justice warriors. Let’s make sports (and commercials) great again." Patriot Post, Nate Jackson, Feb. 6.

I remember when TV and magazine advertising depicted adult women for years as either complete air-heads who couldn't open a box of laundry soap without a male voice-over, or as sex objects suitable only as a clothes rack or to satisfy a man (many women's magazines still do). Now the ads show men as wimps and effeminate clothes racks, or stupid, knuckle dragging beer drinkers. And now they want to preach equality, diversity and sustainability? I don't think so.

Remember the Folger’s ads?

Bustles have come to stay--1889

An ad in the Ladies Home Journal, March 1889, assured women they needed the bustle:

“If a woman has too large hips, the Bustle relieves them of their protuberance; if she have no hips at all apparently, the Bustle supplies the lack; if she have too large an abdomen, the Bustle gives her symmetry, if she be too tall and thin, the Bustle helps her; if she be too short and broad, the Bustle helps her none the less.” from Magazines in the United States, (Ronald Press, 1949)

Traveling suit worn by Louise Whitfield on April 22, 1887 during the evening of her quiet wedding to Mr. Andrew Carnegie of New York while aboard the steamship Fulda on her way to European honeymoon. Designed for her travels, this practical ensemble consists of skirt with two bodices, extra set of cuffs, collar and front gold embroidered pastron insert of red silk velvet for more formal occasions. Costume Institute at The Met. Found at Pinterest, Becky Morris.

Carnegie became the richest man in the United States, and gave about 90% of his fortune away, much of it to build libraries. He was a poor immigrant—a very interesting person, as was she.

Obama’s vision—Pajama Boy and Julia

O

“Perhaps the goal of OFA was to create a readily mockable image to draw attention to its message, in which case Pajama Boy was a brilliantly successful troll. The right immediately Photoshopped him into the Mandela funeral selfie and emblazoned his photo with derisive lines like “Hey girl, I live with my parents” and “How did you know I went to Oberlin?” “

Julia needed the help of Obama-supported programs at every juncture of her life, and Pajama Boy is going to get his health insurance through Obamacare (another image shows him looking very pleased in a Christmas sweater, together with the words “And a happy New Year with health insurance”).

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/366806/pajama-boy-home-holidays-rich-lowry#!

Colorado Obamacare ads

Advertisements for the ACA commissioned by Colorado Consumer Health Initiative and ProgressNow Colorado Education target the younger generation to join the Affordable Care Act's healthcare exchanges by depicting women as sex hungry floozies and men as beer drinking, partying idiots.  But it was the President and all the Democrats who didn’t read the bill who misinformed and lied; perhaps the ads were closer to the truth?

Amy Runyon-Harms, executive director of ProgressNow Colorado, defended the advertisements.

“The whole intention of these ads is to raise awareness, and that’s what we’re doing. It’s great that more and more people are talking about it,” said Runyon-Harms, who notes the ads only appear on social media and will not, for example, be displayed on billboards or buses. http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20131113/aca-ad-lets-hope-hes-as-easy-to-get-as-this-birth-control

How low can they go?

"Does the person you share a bedroom with snore?"  Isn't that about the dumbest advertisement--20 years ago it would have been "Does your husband snore?"  and maybe 10 years ago, "Does your partner snore," but now I guess it is whoever needs a bed for the night and stops by. Or it is directed to the prison population.

Where have the smart women gone?

Have you seen the creepy, sexist, anti-black, anti-woman, anti-common sense ad by the pro-abortion forces?  Here's the setting:  gorgeous, athletic black man, beautifully dressed, sitting by a romantic fire, drink in hand, sexy voice, and encouraging abortion?  Really?  With 40% of abortions for black women, they really need to find additional ways to marginalize African Americans?  I guess the sexploitation ads used in the Obama campaign worked so well, they decided to push the envelope. Were all the smart women aborted in the last 40 years?

Where is the logic?

This political ad is a bit disingenuous

American Crossroads today (October 11) announced it is releasing a TV ad in Pennsylvania and Florida as part of a continuing campaign to aggressively counter President Obama's efforts to sell his second stimulus plan at state and local events.



When could we ever trust what he said?

What you can do to make sure your kids don't smoke

This is the heading of a 2 page ad in a women's magazine--sponsored by Lorillard Tobacco Company! Hmmm. Not sure that's the best source. Anyway, this tobacco company which is dedicated to getting your kids hooked into a life time habit that costs about $4,000 a year, says these things will keep them from smoking: 1) Reinforce the immediate consequences, 2) instill strong values and beliefs. Ha, ha, ha. That's rich.

What 13 year old have you met who could weigh the risks of bladder and lung cancer against being included with the kids he admires? Peers win every time.

I'm guessing this advertisement is included as part of a law suit.