Media Indigestion

I am proud/sad to admit that I spend a hefty portion of my waking hours watching television, many of which is spent waiting for commercials to end.

(THE AVERAGE AMERICAN WATCHED 9 YEARS OF TELEVISION BY AGE 65!)

Most commercials go in one ear and out the other (OR SO I THINK!)
However, no matter how many times I see it, I still cannot get over how amazing and dreamy the recent Pepto Bismol advertising campaign is. You know, the one with the down-and-out ESL speakers singing the Pepto Bismol Diarrhea jingle ala "American Idol" reject style?



I think it is the best advertising campaign I've seen in years...
(I would go so far as to say I think it is even more special than the Geico Caveman and the Rozerem "Dreams Miss You" campaign in terms of humor and product memorability.

My favorite wooly bully baby of all time...I really wish I knew him...!

That little wiggle at the end! Those elf shoes!

On a serious note, Pepto Bismol is produced by the company Procter and Gamble (P&G), which has a horrible history of violently testing on animals, especially wabbits.
If you want to learn more, go here...

It's really kind of sad that the Pepto Bismol advertising campaign had to be funded by such an evil corporation. "My only love spawned from my only hate"

I think this is why I would have difficulty working in the advertising industry. Yes, I'd probably get to make really creative, funny commercials - but in exchange, I'd be helping to drive an unending cycle of consumerism, filled with unnecessary products made in harmful ways...
I don't mean to sound really preachy or LiveJournal-ish...

I don't deny that I buy from chain corporations and love sHoPpInG.

P.S. DOES ANYONE ELSE HATE HOW PIKEPLACE TASTES AT STARBUCKS?
I THINK IT IS SO GROSS!

I just feel sad that it is unlikely that important causes (water conservation, global warming, AIDS -ie. issues that don't have shareholders/huge monetary profits) will ever have as high a budgeting and advertising campaign as corporations with violent practices such as Procter & Gamble, you know? And that commercial watchers will be inundated with stupid products and useless information while important issues get ignored.
(P.S. Did anyone see the new cast members of the Real World! H-O-T! JK)

If only the commercials were aimed at helping the society we already have now, and not encouraging us to busy ourselves with trashing it up more! What should we do ?!

If you really want to feel angry and paranoid, watch these Youtube videos showcasing all the subliminal advertising we are exposed to (no pun intended!)
Subliminal advertising #1
Subliminal advertising #2 (haha I can't take this seriously..)