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I work with politicians and the largest corporations to help strategize messaging, etc. We sometimes do testing of commercials before they're launched. I work with the creatives (the advertising agencies) all the time because we have to partner together to get our mutual client what they need.
I wasn't kidding with the dialogue I posted. Corporations want to be inclusive - they don't want any problems.
I do this for a large F50 company. Yes, you want to be inclusive (which makes sense that the demographics match the market) but it's not like anyone's saying "make the burglers white so you don't offend the minorities" or something. Maybe necessary for a political message but I have never come across that for consumer products.
Why are advertisers so deathly afraid of offending blacks and feminists? I don't understand it. I must have watched dozens of home security commercials and all of burglars are white. Oh, and if a white and black person are in a commercial and one of them picks the wrong product........guess who? Maybe these companies are terrified that Al Sharpton will be at their company headquarters with CNN and a bullhorn demanding reparations. Also Dads are always portrayed as buffoons being outsmarted by the kids and wife. Seems like white males are the chosen punching bag ....
I want to know why overweight people aren't used for candy and fast food commercials! I must have watched dozens of M&Ms and Burger King commercials where all of the consumers are fit and slim. Maybe these companies are terrified that Kate Moss will be at their company headquarters with CNN and a bullhorn demanding overweight people get off their televisions!
I do this for a large F50 company. Yes, you want to be inclusive (which makes sense that the demographics match the market) but it's not like anyone's saying "make the burglers white so you don't offend the minorities" or something. Maybe necessary for a political message but I have never come across that for consumer products.
No, they say it the way I phrased it in my other post. They'll say something like, 'Be careful how people are cast.' Everyone knows what that means.
And yes, it's for commercial products. Pols worry about the same thing, but have bigger fish to fry.
I want to know why overweight people aren't used for candy and fast food commercials! I must have watched dozens of M&Ms and Burger King commercials where all of the consumers are fit and slim. Maybe these companies are terrified that Kate Moss will be at their company headquarters with CNN and a bullhorn demanding overweight people get off their televisions!
Because media is still focused on the "aspirational" aesthetic. Why don't you ever see someone REALLY sick in hospital commercials instead of happy, attractive person who just happens to be in a robe? Kind of drives me crazy but I guess I "get" it from a marketing perspective. When Dove did their campaign using average and heavier people they got a lot of flack for it.
No, they say it the way I phrased it in my other post. They'll say something like, 'Be careful how people are cast.' Everyone knows what that means.
And yes, it's for commercial products. Pols worry about the same thing, but have bigger fish to fry.
OK, guess we've had different experiences because I have never come across that type of conversation. I would certainly ask WTF that's supposed to mean.
Ann, one more thought on this. This seems to only take place with certain clients and their commercials. If an insurance company has someone dying and the family is worried about money, for example.
If you're talking about someone working at their IBM computer - there isn't as much room for error.
We do testing to see if people will accept celebrity X as a spokesperson, or if R & B artist _____ should include song A or song B on the c-d they're dropping in another few months.
People are testing for all kinds of things, and I don't want to leave the impression that everyone is wringing their hands over everything. They're not. But the creatives are cautious when casting a role some might take offense to.
Ann, one more thought on this. This seems to only take place with certain clients and their commercials. If an insurance company has someone dying and the family is worried about money, for example.
If you're talking about someone working at their IBM computer - there isn't as much room for error.
We do testing to see if people will accept celebrity X as a spokesperson, or if R & B artist _____ should include song A or song B on the c-d they're dropping in another few months.
People are testing for all kinds of things, and I don't want to leave the impression that everyone is wringing their hands over everything. They're not. But the creatives are cautious when casting a role some might take offense to.
Yeah, I get you. For sure it depends on the industry, product, market, occasion, etc.
Why are advertisers so deathly afraid of offending blacks and feminists? I don't understand it. I must have watched dozens of home security commercials and all of burglars are white. Oh, and if a white and black person are in a commercial and one of them picks the wrong product........guess who? Maybe these companies are terrified that Al Sharpton will be at their company headquarters with CNN and a bullhorn demanding reparations. Also Dads are always portrayed as buffoons being outsmarted by the kids and wife. Seems like white males are the chosen punching bag ....
Because the job of a commercial is to sell a product and a generally good method of doing this is being completely inoffensive.
I remember people freaking out and boycotting General Mills when a commercial featured a family with a black dad, white mom, and adorable kid who poured Cheerios on her sleeping dad so he would stay healthy.
That was a cute commercial.
I also liked the one with the two gay dads and the Star Wars "I am your father" line. That was funny.
I don't think the OP really wanted an answer. He is a white male who peobably feels threatened by women and blacks.
I prefer more confident less whiney men so...bye.
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