Model Perfect
an essay on branding and advertising21 total reviews
Comment from Dawn Munro
HAHAHAHAHA! Good on ya. (And that's from someone who studied Advertising in college.)You hit the 'sweet spot' with this one, and you did it with your usual 'take-no-prisoners' style. This is thought-provoking and hard-hitting. Let's just hope it hits the mark, at least with the worst of those consumers (the innovator - the 'I gotta have it 'cause it's new and I don't care what it costs' buyer).
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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HAHAHAHAHA! Good on ya. (And that's from someone who studied Advertising in college.)You hit the 'sweet spot' with this one, and you did it with your usual 'take-no-prisoners' style. This is thought-provoking and hard-hitting. Let's just hope it hits the mark, at least with the worst of those consumers (the innovator - the 'I gotta have it 'cause it's new and I don't care what it costs' buyer).
Comment Written 03-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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I worked in sales and advertising for 30 years and I still marvelled at people who only bought on sale. Little did thy know that The Bay and Sears marked up their inventory 4-5 times to offer that 50% sale price. Regular low price never flew like a sale. Talk about gullible!
Comment from maggieadams
I think we must be about exactly the same vintage....from buxom Marilyn to flat Twiggy, we got confused....i agree that the brand is too important and influential in all our lives, but when we finally break free and don't care what people think, it is freeing...so hard to teach our kids and grandkids that feeling...they have to go through the "branding" stages. Great job, as usual. One typo: Our attractiveness, not out attractiveness.
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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I think we must be about exactly the same vintage....from buxom Marilyn to flat Twiggy, we got confused....i agree that the brand is too important and influential in all our lives, but when we finally break free and don't care what people think, it is freeing...so hard to teach our kids and grandkids that feeling...they have to go through the "branding" stages. Great job, as usual. One typo: Our attractiveness, not out attractiveness.
Comment Written 03-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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Everybody is younger than me I, it seems--64. Thanks for the catch.
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We are the same age...I will be 64 in dec.....it is an interesting time in one's life....aging is not for sissies.
Comment from drivenbackward
Good post, SE. Very interesting for me to read since I was a Consumer Goods writer. Though this might not have been your ultimate point, today's biggest consumer target generation (Millennials, born 1980 to 1995) base their status on technology. I'm a Generation Xer (HS in the 90s). At that time, it was all about elitism being shown through attire. Now the younger generation doesn't have as much discretionary income, but what they do have is spent on technology. This has been hurting 'The Big 3' teen retailers: Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, and American Eagle. The new trend for attire is urban with individuality and personal expression making big moves, opposed to logos. So, these kids are changing, not wanting to follow the herd in that sense. At the same time, they need the latest iPad. So ... I think it doesn't matter what the product is, it's just that things don't change much. Sorry. Got a little carried away there.
Phones, cameras, action...technology allows -- Ellipsis is three dots with a space ... on each side.
tryouts (one word)
Doomed to ugly--ugly failure -- Awkward. Consider using a comma or ellipsis for more effect and clarity.
hairdos (one word)
Women, who adored fashion as an art form, suddenly had a plethora of designers to choose from, each one having a suitable air of elitism. -- Delete first two commas.
iPad
An iPad is a tablet.
'twenty-four alert?' -- Are you missing a word?
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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Good post, SE. Very interesting for me to read since I was a Consumer Goods writer. Though this might not have been your ultimate point, today's biggest consumer target generation (Millennials, born 1980 to 1995) base their status on technology. I'm a Generation Xer (HS in the 90s). At that time, it was all about elitism being shown through attire. Now the younger generation doesn't have as much discretionary income, but what they do have is spent on technology. This has been hurting 'The Big 3' teen retailers: Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, and American Eagle. The new trend for attire is urban with individuality and personal expression making big moves, opposed to logos. So, these kids are changing, not wanting to follow the herd in that sense. At the same time, they need the latest iPad. So ... I think it doesn't matter what the product is, it's just that things don't change much. Sorry. Got a little carried away there.
Phones, cameras, action...technology allows -- Ellipsis is three dots with a space ... on each side.
tryouts (one word)
Doomed to ugly--ugly failure -- Awkward. Consider using a comma or ellipsis for more effect and clarity.
hairdos (one word)
Women, who adored fashion as an art form, suddenly had a plethora of designers to choose from, each one having a suitable air of elitism. -- Delete first two commas.
iPad
An iPad is a tablet.
'twenty-four alert?' -- Are you missing a word?
Comment Written 03-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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Agreed. I retired last year as a VP of sales and marketing selling to majors across NA. It was my continued point for the last many years that Zales was not competing with Signet, or any other jeweler. They were competing with discretionary dollars spent in other commodities, primarily electronics. Thanks.
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
I think it's important to teach our kids to be happy with who they are. It doesn't matter, your size, shape, weight, etc. All you have to be is comfortable with you are and love yourself. We're not all built the same. Some have curves, hips, boobs, butt, etc. We all have our own things, good to bad it just is what it is. I'm not saying not to teach your kids to play outside and not exercise. That's not it at all but you have to teach them how valuable they are. Tatoo's and piercing, yeah I want one. I won't lie but the one I want is going to be expensive. And kid will always whine and beg, they're kids. The important thing is for the parent to stay strong when they do say no. Don't just say give in the child. All in all great job with this :)
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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I think it's important to teach our kids to be happy with who they are. It doesn't matter, your size, shape, weight, etc. All you have to be is comfortable with you are and love yourself. We're not all built the same. Some have curves, hips, boobs, butt, etc. We all have our own things, good to bad it just is what it is. I'm not saying not to teach your kids to play outside and not exercise. That's not it at all but you have to teach them how valuable they are. Tatoo's and piercing, yeah I want one. I won't lie but the one I want is going to be expensive. And kid will always whine and beg, they're kids. The important thing is for the parent to stay strong when they do say no. Don't just say give in the child. All in all great job with this :)
Comment Written 03-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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You are probably not old enough to remember when tattoos always meant you were a biker or a felon. Interesting who brought this mainstream and now it's desirable. Thanks.
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Superb essay, and I applaud you for saying it loud and clear for all to hear. We are all guilty at some point in life, I suppose. I've washed my hands of the whole thing, finally, but I know it's out there, more powerful than ever.
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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Superb essay, and I applaud you for saying it loud and clear for all to hear. We are all guilty at some point in life, I suppose. I've washed my hands of the whole thing, finally, but I know it's out there, more powerful than ever.
Comment Written 03-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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Thank you for your generous stars. As we get older, we naturally become comfortable with who we are and what we have, but it's a terrible force to fight greed vs need.
Comment from Dom G Robles
I am not very keen on sales and marketing but I read the entire and I became educated on my limited knowledge on the subject. The topic, to me, has been discussed pretty well. The contents and the structure I felt was truly excellent. The writer has strong knowledge of what many want to buy, specially children who want play toys, Lego, Barbee's and Hot Wheels. Other points hair-dos, fashion, I-pods and many more
were covered pretty well. I like the ending more: "I can't blame the kids...but I am no longer operating on remote control." My sincere congratulations for sharing Ingrid. Dom
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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I am not very keen on sales and marketing but I read the entire and I became educated on my limited knowledge on the subject. The topic, to me, has been discussed pretty well. The contents and the structure I felt was truly excellent. The writer has strong knowledge of what many want to buy, specially children who want play toys, Lego, Barbee's and Hot Wheels. Other points hair-dos, fashion, I-pods and many more
were covered pretty well. I like the ending more: "I can't blame the kids...but I am no longer operating on remote control." My sincere congratulations for sharing Ingrid. Dom
Comment Written 03-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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Well thank you very much for both the kind words and stars. You may not have known some of the tactic of companies, but I guarantee you were a willing victim during your lifetime.
Comment from kiwijenny
Well written. I enjoyed it immensely...I went to an all girls Highschool and we were forbidden to wear make up and wore a uniform...in hindsight I am glad,.it put us all on one plane..Then I homeschooled my kids...because I wanted them to think...think for themselves
I applaud this story..thank you
God bless
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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Well written. I enjoyed it immensely...I went to an all girls Highschool and we were forbidden to wear make up and wore a uniform...in hindsight I am glad,.it put us all on one plane..Then I homeschooled my kids...because I wanted them to think...think for themselves
I applaud this story..thank you
God bless
Comment Written 03-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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Good for you. Homeschooling is a huge commitment. Thanks for the read.
Comment from Nosha17
Very interesting and well written commentary on the scary world of commercialism and obsessed consumers. I have never been obsessed with labels, I have always stuck to traditional clothing as long as it is well made. My kids had to make do with non-designer clothing as we couldn't afford to buy anything else. You have made good use of descriptive language and there is a nice light-hearted style to the writing. I spotted couple of errors, hope you don't mind-Para 3, line 4, bleaching. Para 8, line 2, undue attention. Para 10, line 2 are beyond. Enjoyable read. Faye
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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Very interesting and well written commentary on the scary world of commercialism and obsessed consumers. I have never been obsessed with labels, I have always stuck to traditional clothing as long as it is well made. My kids had to make do with non-designer clothing as we couldn't afford to buy anything else. You have made good use of descriptive language and there is a nice light-hearted style to the writing. I spotted couple of errors, hope you don't mind-Para 3, line 4, bleaching. Para 8, line 2, undue attention. Para 10, line 2 are beyond. Enjoyable read. Faye
Comment Written 03-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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Mind? Are you kidding? I'm grateful. Thanks for the catch.
Comment from gypsycaravan
Very interesting article. I thought it informative that the children had different clothing preferences, but had to have the exact same electronic gadgets. How true that it. And how true that the youth, especially, work so hard to be just like their peers. Your wording--"peer assimilation" tends to "peer assassination" when they don't. Age does calm much of this down as we care less about fitting in and being just like all our friends. However, we women still get more dressed up with makeup, jewelry, hair styled and nice clothes for lunch with the girls than we do sitting around the house with our hubbys. Ha
Few suggestions:
beaching my hair,--should be "bleaching"
designers licence--should be "license"
Artwork is terrific, too. Really good article.
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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Very interesting article. I thought it informative that the children had different clothing preferences, but had to have the exact same electronic gadgets. How true that it. And how true that the youth, especially, work so hard to be just like their peers. Your wording--"peer assimilation" tends to "peer assassination" when they don't. Age does calm much of this down as we care less about fitting in and being just like all our friends. However, we women still get more dressed up with makeup, jewelry, hair styled and nice clothes for lunch with the girls than we do sitting around the house with our hubbys. Ha
Few suggestions:
beaching my hair,--should be "bleaching"
designers licence--should be "license"
Artwork is terrific, too. Really good article.
Comment Written 03-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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Thanks so much for the catch. Parents shouldn't have to compete with advertising, but there's no way to avoid the effect. Thanks.
Comment from Sasha
My goodness, you hit the nail on the head with this one (pardon the cliche, but I need to have at least one in every review). Fortunately, my children were spared the IPod and cellphone...but not my grandchildren. I, like you, tried to fit in by dressing like the stars but I wasn't star material so I failed miserably and didn't even go to the prom...let alone with the star quarterback. I enjoyed this immensely and could relate to everything you said. I wish I had a 6 to give you, this most definitely deserves one.
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reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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My goodness, you hit the nail on the head with this one (pardon the cliche, but I need to have at least one in every review). Fortunately, my children were spared the IPod and cellphone...but not my grandchildren. I, like you, tried to fit in by dressing like the stars but I wasn't star material so I failed miserably and didn't even go to the prom...let alone with the star quarterback. I enjoyed this immensely and could relate to everything you said. I wish I had a 6 to give you, this most definitely deserves one.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 03-Oct-2014
reply by the author on 03-Oct-2014
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Thanks so much. Waiting for an update on the action down south.