Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label guilty mothers

Ads that I like: # 108

As we have seen demonstrated countless times on the journey that is Ads that I like… , nothing quite so defines the advertising industry as the promulgation of guilt . Like unhappiness, shame and self-loathing; guilt has proven to be an effective motivational tool in wrenching open wallets over the past century or so. Of course, like any from of resource extractions, some sources are better than others. Like the copper-rich mountains of Chile, gold-strewn hills of North America’s west, or zinc deposits of Tasmania’s west coast; the seemingly endless source of maternal guilt has proven to be a money spinner for innumerable advertising executives, snake oil salesmen, flim-flam man and confidence trickers throughout history. Who could possibly fail to be moved by the notion that by simply touching your child, you are harming it. Every interaction , caress and soothing embrace could prove deadly ! Mothers of the world unite! Buy this product or you stand to hurt your child ! Now, what ...

Ads That I Like: #65

Let me come right in off the bat and assert that some of the facial work, mannerisms and all round acting abilities in this vintage advertisement for a tasty stool softener are quite simply a sight to behold. Check out the misery evident on the little girl's face! Look at that quizzical concern (with a very subtle bit of index finger work) by mom [sic]! The magnificent matronly poses by the pushy laxative snake oil saleslady concerned neighbour. Get me Bette Davis as “Mom”, Shirley Temple as “Cherub” and Joan Crawford as “concerned neighbour” and I’ll get you twelve Oscars! Green Light! On another note, the tagline to this, and all such ads really should be: Motherly Guilt: selling crap to people for over ONE HUNDRED YEARS!