Marketing

[civver_764]

When you think about it, marketing is essentially glorified deception. People go to college and get degrees in how to lie to people more effectively. Then they get paid money to do so. If they deceive more people than expected they could even get paid a hefty bonus.

Do any of us actually like commercials or advertisements? They seem to have a detrimental effect on everything except the profits of the people who make them. I'm kind of just typing a bunch of thoughts out here, but the main point of this thread would be: Why do we accept such a blatantly dishonest thing so readily? How can we every truly trust each other if our entire economy is based on dishonesty and deception?

 

[Mr. Dictator]

Link to video.

Y'know, language.

 

[Cutlass]

I reflexively hit the mute button when commercials come on.

 

[shadowplay]

I reflexively hit the mute button when commercials come on.

Ditto. The less you expose yourself to that crap, the better.

 

[Joecoolyo]

When you think about it, marketing is essentially glorified deception. People go to college and get degrees in how to lie to people more effectively. Then they get paid money to do so. If they deceive more people than expected they could even get paid a hefty bonus.

Do any of us actually like commercials or advertisements? They seem to have a detrimental effect on everything except the profits of the people who make them. I'm kind of just typing a bunch of thoughts out here, but the main point of this thread would be: Why do we accept such a blatantly dishonest thing so readily? How can we every truly trust each other if our entire economy is based on dishonesty and deception?

Some of its deception, kind of, creating want were there wasn't any before. But the other part of it is, well, advertising. When people create a product, they need to get the word out somehow, or else no one will know it exists. Getting the word out can be combined with some sort of "deception" in order to increase sales, those commercials are annoying, I ignore those. But commercials and advertisements who are just getting the word out I don't mind, they're basically doing my research for me to a degree.

I actually enjoy some commercials, namely the ones that are really creative, clever and funny. Usually at any time there's a gem or two out there that's worth actually sitting through. A majority of others are just too samey and boring to warrant anything other than a glance to confirm it.

And I used to do the mute thing, but I've kind of stopped out of shear laziness. I just tend to turn to my computer now and do internets while commercials play on the tele. I block all ads though on the internet, since those are usually the worst of the worst and don't deserve any of my attention.

 

[Goodfella]

When you think about it, marketing is essentially glorified deception.

You're a pretty good marker. Can you give me another communist sales pitch?

They seem to have a detrimental effect on everything except the profits of the people who make them.

I remember putting up fliers to recruit for my debate team. That darn marketing, it's so despicable it benefits no one but the fat CEOS and their $300 millon compensation packages...

 

[downtown]

I like advertisements if they help me find products or deals that I was unaware of, or save me money. Not letting advertisements influence your food purchasing seems kinda dumb to me.

 

[Synobun]

Having worked in e-marketing many times in the past years both as a favour and freelance, I find that the best thing that worked for me was just being totally, brutally honest about the product. Get a reputation as an honest salesman and you're more likely to sell rather than selling based on a lie (Like people buying a Slap-chop, being disappointed, and then trashing it on every social media feed they can).

Some of the people I worked for seemed to regard this as a foreign concept, but for someone like me, it just seems natural to apply honesty over sales, because if your product is any good, being honest is sufficient enough.

I will admit, however, that those I worked for would have sold much, much more if I had been willing to lie about their products, but they would not have gotten any of the loyal shoppers and clients they had at the time, and their profits would come primarily from people who bought something based on a blurb, hated it, and never came back again.

So, is the popular form of marketing just ways of improving your skills at deceit? Yes. Should it be? Not really.

What's the point of this thread though? Do you just... want us to agree with you?

In terms of commercials, I like them if they're flat-out honest or incredibly creative (also don't repeat). On most channels that I end up watching in the past year or so, the networks replay the same 3-4 clips over and over and over again, and it gets very annoying rather quick.

 

[civver_764]

You're a pretty good marker. Can you give me another communist sales pitch?



I remember putting up fliers to recruit for my debate team. That darn marketing, it's so despicable it benefits no one but the fat CEOS and their $300 millon compensation packages...

I would make a distinction between informing people of something and marketing that thing to them. The first would be trying to give them some information that you think they should have, the latter would be trying to convince them to do something however possible.

 

[Borachio]

I've long had my doubts about the whole capitalism system, of which marketing is just a part.

The idea seems to be to stimulate consumption at all costs possible. Naturally some of it is just putting the name of the product into the minds of the consumer, but a lot shrieks at me continually that unless I have this or that my life is in some way less.

At least, that was how it seemed to me the last time I watched TV about 12 years ago. Maybe it's changed.

I also dislike giant billboards and neon advertising, and branded clothing. But then again, I can put up with it. What choice do I have?

 

[Goodfella]

I would make a distinction between informing people of something and marketing that thing to them. The first would be trying to give them some information that you think they should have, the latter would be trying to convince them to do something however possible.

Your definition of marketing: "The act of blatantly lying to innocent people in order to coerce them into buying useless products against their will"

Real definition of marketing: "The action or business of promoting and selling products or services."

Your distinction is bologna.

 

[sophie]

And I used to do the mute thing, but I've kind of stopped out of shear laziness. I just tend to turn to my computer now and do internets while commercials play on the tele. I block all ads though on the internet, since those are usually the worst of the worst and don't deserve any of my attention.

They're worth it if you're watching them on a youtube video put up by a contributor you want to support, as contributors don't get any money from views on adblocked browsers. But otherwise I agree.

 

[Crezth]

<snip>
Y'know, language.

God damn, yes. I was just about to post this.

 

[Borachio]

What language? You're talking some kind of code. Ah. See, a code - that's a kind of language. Do you mean that? Nope, I'm guessing not.

 

[Joecoolyo]

They're worth it if you're watching them on a youtube video put up by a contributor you want to support, as contributors don't get any money from views on adblocked browsers. But otherwise I agree.

Yeah, that's really the only legitimate reason to shut off adblock (and I might actually start doing that now, dunkey needs money!). Other than that, I don't enjoy internet ads, they are usually pretty bad.

 

[downtown]

I make a good chunk of my living from internet ads! plz dont block them all kthxbai

 

[The_J]

Link to video.

Translation:
Bad cop: Again, what did the criminal wear?
Witness: White sneakers...
Bad cop: Which brand?
Good cop: Man, you've been lying in front of him!
Witness: Jogging shoes, with 3 strips
Bad cop: In which direction did he run?
Witness: Into the direction of that restaurant, with that big golden M.
Bad cop: And the type of the car? Did you see it?
Witness: It was a black one!
Bad cop (snarky): A black one.
Witness: A black one with a star!
Bad cop: And let me guess: One with 4 doors, 4 tyres, yes?
Witness: Yes, absolutely right.
Bad cop: If you want to .... with me...then we can deal with you in another way!
Good cop: Calm down, calm down!
Bad cop: I AM CALM!
Good cop (to the witness): Do you need anything?
Witness: Yes, maybe a black, carbonated lemonade with much caffeine.
The narrator: A world without advertisement is a world without brands.


It's an ad on one of the private TV stations at the moment.
Sad to say, but probably right.
Or what do you say if you think of a chocolate bar with caramel and peanuts?

 

[downtown]

I would make a distinction between informing people of something and marketing that thing to them. The first would be trying to give them some information that you think they should have, the latter would be trying to convince them to do something however possible.

All marketing tries to do the latter. The difference is just in how honest they are.

 

[_random_]

I would make a distinction between informing people of something and marketing that thing to them. The first would be trying to give them some information that you think they should have, the latter would be trying to convince them to do something however possible.

People need to be informed about how a 6-piece chicken bites meal is only $3.99 at KFC.

 

[Zelig]

I very much dislike ads.

I block internet ads, I acquire all my tv from ad-free sources, I listen to ad-free radio, I pay for ad-free versions of websites/internet services. Basically all I have to put up with are crappy billboards on city buses. I'd happily pay a higher transit rate in order to get rid of advertising on city property.

Not letting advertisements influence your food purchasing seems kinda dumb to me.

The vast majority of food I buy is fresh produce (and everyone should be buying mostly fresh produce), I'm not sure how ads are going to help me buy better food.

My ad-free public radio does restaurant reviews, and I've got friends in the business to help inform me about good places to eat out.

They're worth it if you're watching them on a youtube video put up by a contributor you want to support, as contributors don't get any money from views on adblocked browsers. But otherwise I agree.

If the contributor is worthwhile I can send them money directly, my time is too valuable to waste watching ads.

People need to be informed about how a 6-piece chicken bites meal is only $3.99 at KFC.

I ate at KFC once. It was awful. Never again.