Comments for Emma Brooks | Digital Media Enthusiast

Comment on Was the 2012 Budweiser Superbowl Commercial Staged? by Kate Heron

Kate Heron — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:30:10 +0000

I wanted to comment on your original post, but didn’t want to be a killjoy.

Frankly, all I could think about when I saw this was that this has already been done, a few times, authentically and successfully, with children. And it resonates and heartwarms ten times better. But it would have been far more expensive to get releases for with such a wide media buy, and far more expensive to produce.

My favourite version of this “gag” is this here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOoTeXTRQJA

And that’s the part I couldn’t even get past when I saw it – that it’s more than a bit of a ripoff.

Comment on The 2012 Budweiser Superbowl Commercial by Was the 2012 Budweiser Superbowl Commercial Staged? | Emma Brooks | Digital Media Enthusiast

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:47:28 +0000

[...] wrote about the 2012 Budweiser Superbowl commercial briefly yesterday here on my blog. As I walked around the office, I saw it on a number of co-worker’s screens [...]

Comment on Why Advertising by Emma Brooks

Emma Brooks — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:39:17 +0000

That’s what I think too, Kev.

And that’s true too – going where your skills are best put to good use. I wonder if back in the day the henchman or the executioner in the Dark Ages went through identity crises like we do? Their skills fit a need, but are they doing ‘good’ in the world? I bet they found ways to justify it to themselves as well.

Comment on Why Advertising by Emma Brooks

Emma Brooks — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:37:40 +0000

Amen.

Comment on Why Advertising by Emma Brooks

Emma Brooks — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:32:31 +0000

Wasn’t ‘bad advertising’ kind of implied, there, Mike? ;)

Re: Making people feel bad about making decisions – or good – if it’s the decision you want them to.

PS: I’ve seen many AD suffer in my short time in advertising!

Comment on Why Advertising by Emma Brooks

Emma Brooks — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:31:02 +0000

Thanks for your comment Aleeah. I wouldn’t go so far as to use the term ‘enriching’ in my line of work. But I do still believe it serves a purpose.

I disagree that journalism is ultimately about selling ad space too. Journalism’s ultimate goal is to inform the public on issues and happenings that matter. The way in which they can deliver on this goal is, yes, to have enough eyeballs to sell ad space so they can support the goal.

In any case, I do like your point about measuring success based on how informed a consumer becomes a result of the advertisement.

Comment on Why Advertising by Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:18:34 +0000

Your post drives a good question Emma. Perhaps something I don’t think often enough of. Although on the trust scale anyone in marketing/advertising/PR is generally pretty low thinking about things on a macro level people in the industry essentially make the economy more effective. Without introducing people to products that they may want to buy they won’t be purchases and as a result money won’t be spent. All in all we help the world continue turning in our own little way. Or at least thats what I think ;)

Thinking about why an individual should be involved in the industry I think much like any other industry or occupation people see that they have a solid set of skills and see their fit in what they do. For myself I also saw a fit working in Digital Marketing, I’m not sure yet if I can say that I’ll be in the industry till I retire but it has a fit with what I’m strong at and has provided me with a set of skills that I consider very valuable going forward.

Comment on Why Advertising by Aleeah

Aleeah — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:57:57 +0000

Your point would be better taken if the measurement of the success of advertising was how informed the consumer became as a result of the advertisement in question. While there are PSAs and other informational campaigns out there, the majority of advertising wants you to do one thing: spend your money. I don’t think working towards this goal is anything to be ashamed of, but dressing it up as though you’re enriching people’s lives with information is a little bit delusional. Even journalism, which tries to do that, is ultimately about selling newspapers and ad space.

Comment on Why Advertising by Mike

Mike — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:47:10 +0000

War happens, so, might as well pick up a gun. Crime happens, so I might as well steal (Robin Hood felt this way), Abuse in all of its many forms happens, so…why not? Accepting things as immutable as a way of justifying them is simply not sufficient. Now, if you had said “bad advertising” is the norm, so I’ma gonna try to make it better…than, THAT i can get behind. I too struggle with this and, in a pinch, would never identify myself as an advertiser…though I clearly am. “Helping” people make better/more informed decisions certainly applies to the piece you posted.
However you know, as much as I do, that story and even more acutely “Advertising” is a manipulation of facts that isnt designed to inform, necessarily, but to make people feel bad about making decisions that they might normally make.
Is it evil? No, there are many things that are evil in the world and advertising isnt one. Conversely, is it noble? Not on your life…it has never changed the world and it’s not an art because in our big offices, with our fancy clothes and really decent salaries NO ONE suffers for it.

Comment on Why Advertising by Eric Portelance

Eric Portelance — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:34:12 +0000

Thanks for the mention, Emma. I’m really glad the podcast inspired this thought process in you. I think we’ve all asked ourselves questions (or judged others) about our value and purpose in the world.

I’ve often thought the same about advertising. Is it evil? Well, not absolutely. I guess that depends on your views about consumerism and business. However, there is a lot of bad advertising and marketing out there. A lot of it is useless, offensive, visual pollution. I feel that if that advertising is going to be there regardless, there may as well be great people like yourself who are passionate and detail-oriented enough to try and make it beautiful, engaging, and maybe even useful.

What’s the value of a smile? A tear? A moment that leads to deep reflection? When elevated to the level of art, advertising has the power to provoke these emotions. And if they happen to serve a marketing purpose, too — so be it.