More Chinese Pet Poison

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Clicking on an online ad is hardly cutting edge marketing. Most people have online ads filtered. I have to click on a flash window to run it. That blocks almost all ads. 8)


An example from the book (from memory) is ads for kids toys that are not available for christmas. Kids nag the parents for the hot item. The parent buys a consolation expensive gift when they cant get it. The kids nag more when it is available early next year. "You promised!" etc. The guilty feeling parent buys it. The company has sold 2 expensive gifts instead of one.


You have no idea how advertising modifies your perception of the importance of things.

[LongBlade]

You have no idea how advertising modifies your perception of the importance of things.

I have sold advertising for various websites for a decade and studied marketing in both college and grad school. Yes, techniques have improved, but the truth remains the same: advertising is about awareness.

The example with the kids is precisely that: creating awareness in children that toys are available. Why? not *every* child will want that toy. It isn't like brainwashing. An ad for My Little Pony won't attract most boys, no matter how well constructed. It's about creating awareness within a target market. Becoming aware of a product that actually meets a demand you have (toys for Christmas) may lead to a sale, but the ad only creates the awareness.

Purchases are far more complex than just advertising -> sale.

Another example: I saw a BMW commercial last week. I already know BMWs are cool, but there's a new one that I'm sure will lead to more sex if I had it. Problem is, I can't afford it. Ergo, advertising awoke awareness (I'll be sexier) and created demand (I want one) but did not create a sale. The process isn't brainwashing - I'm not going to buy one at the expense of groceries for the family.

Marketing is a complex mix of art and science. I'm afraid that book, no matter how well written, has mislead you if your conclusion is that advertising = sales. Think of advertising as part of a complex algebra formula that eventually *can* lead to a sale and you'll have the right idea.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

So you would also claim the military's psych ops cant get anyone to do anything either. Do you think anyone will buy that?

[LongBlade]

So you would also claim the military's psych ops cant get anyone to do anything either. Do you think anyone will buy that?

I have zero experience with psy ops.

I'm not saying people can't be manipulated.

I am saying that running a bunch of ads for Sims 3 Generations here won't sell a single copy. You guys are gamers, but you're the wrong audience, and no amount of advertising will affect that.

[airboy]

One of my hunting buddies died from tainted Heprin from China.  Human buddy, not a hunting dog.

[LongBlade]

One of my hunting buddies died from tainted Heprin from China.  Human buddy, not a hunting dog.

OMG that's terrible. I'm sorry to hear it.