Thread: A Bunch of Sheep

You know I've always wondered why the advertising industry in general feels once someone gets well into their 50s they as a group pretty much disappear considering they hold most of the wealth in this country and the world. Most advertising is geared towards the 18-40 crowd I reckon. They are more gullible eh?

So the matter up for discussion is this: What part does advertising play in your decision to purchase a product. Is just a general ad for a common everyday product influencing you? Does a celebrity endorsement for a product whether it's a pair of expensive sneakers or a fancy watch or an expensive car play any part in your decision.

I say this. Advertisers pay the big bucks to influence people on what to buy and they hire all kinds of specialists and do mucho research and know for a fact they are influencing you whether on a conscious or subconscious level. The older folks are less likely to be swayed so they don't spend the big bucks on them with some few exceptions.

So are you part of the flock? Just a sheep eh?

'Advertising may be described as the science of arresting the human intelligence long enough to get money from it'

Steven Lea****, Canadian writer and economist (1869-1944)

I shave with a straight, drive a '57 Ford pick up, listen to Jazz, and put Murray's in my hair. I think that the marketing bullet might have just missed me. And I am 31, so I am in the demographic that seems to be targeted. I am just grateful to my parents, who instilled the belief in me that just because it is popular it is not necessarily good. Without them, I could be driving around in a 350Z wearing an AFFLICTION shirt and a scarf. And listening to Nickelback, no less. If the older folks are so resilient in the war against advertising, then why do I see so many 50+ folks wearing Crocs? I mean, aside from the ones who are out riding their 2010 Harley Davidson Road King (or pulling it into a covered trailer attached to their new truck that Toby Keith is a spokesman for so they can haul it to BIKE WEEK) before they have to head back to work as a CPA or dentist in order to afford all the s**t that they don't need. There is not a subset of people who are immune to anything. Young people can be steadfast as well. Though it does seem to be less often, and less noticeable.

I'm over 50 and advertising has very little effect on me.All ads are engineered (or skewed)to expose only the positive side of the product and wheedle a few dollars out of your pocket without exposing any negative aspect of it (which there often are).When I wish to purchase a product,I would much rather research information on it on my own.I value the reviews other users have posted,reviews from reputable experts in the field,and non-profit,consumer advocate type sources such as Consumer Reports.

Originally Posted by aroliver59

I'm over 50 and advertising has very little effect on me.All ads are engineered (or skewed)to expose only the positive side of the product and wheedle a few dollars out of your pocket without exposing any negative aspect of it (which there often are).When I wish to purchase a product,I would much rather research information on it on my own.I value the reviews other users have posted,reviews from reputable experts in the field,and non-profit,consumer advocate type sources such as Consumer Reports.

+1 on that.

I'm over 50 and advertising has a very negative effect on me. If something is relentlessly advertised, I simply won't buy it. There are still films that were so hyped-up when I was in my teens that I resolved never to go and see them, and still haven't. I don't mind informative, occasional, well-directed advertising - I just hate the senseless blanket advertising that tries to brainwash me, and I won't have any of it. I even tape tv so I can skip the worthless, trivial dross that would otherwise be inflicted on me.

Like aroliver59, when I want something I do my own research and I pay little or no attention to opinions expressed by casual or first-time users who haven't really got to know the product. Wheedling out what is good factual info from the clamour of the crowd of wannabees or those that want to gain the acceptance of a target group is an art in itself!

thebigspendur,

What you describe is a fairly new phenomenon, brought on by the 1920s, when society discovered that there were adoloescents or teenagers and the post-WWII baby boom. It made sense to target baby boomers because they were the largest demographic at the time.

It should also be recognized that young people, in many respects, are initiators of new trends in society too, whether it is music or fashion. Corporations spend millions of dollars paying marketing agencies to have focus groups with young people to identify what the next new electronics, fashion or music trend will be. In fact, Madison Avenue has non-too flattering names for their target youth market. Males are called "Mooks" and females are called "Midriffs."

Of course young people also have a direct pipeline to their parents cash. And what parent can say no to their sweet child who will simply die if they don't get the most fashionable set of sneakers, jeans, dresses, or blouses?

Those over 50 don't disappear from Madion Avenue's radar scope entirely, though. It simply addresses that "wealthy" group's more "upscale" needs in magazines such as The Atlantic, Harper's Bazaar, and the New Yorker. You're advised to buy a Lincoln or Lexus, rather than a Ford or a Toyota. The International House of Pancakes takes a backseat to Le Peep's. Timex is replaced by Tag Hauer.

Just my 2 cents.

Sitting here with my Chuck Taylor Converse All Stars sticking out in front of me I can honestly say that other than my TI Lynn Abrams SRD commemorative razor I am not influenced by labels.

It can sometimes. Usually the ad has to be really funny. I can actually remember pretty much all the ads that I thought were funny for about the past 10 years, so its not very common. The item has to be cheap too. For instance, I like some of those Gieko (sp?) ads, but don't plan on getting insurance there.

Usually ads have a negative effect, though. I really, really hate the sincere "we care about you, so buy our product" ads. If an ad annoys me enough I'll go out of my way not to buy something. But I can usually avoid this by frequent use of the mute button.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Sitting here with my Chuck Taylor Converse All Stars sticking out in front of me I can honestly say that other than my TI Lynn Abrams SRD commemorative razor I am not influenced by labels.

Jimmy you are too much...