My Christmas Carrot Rant
Without a doubt the past few years have become a sort of competition to see who brings out the best ad. This year (on my birthday) we watched all of them and voted on our favourites but I'll get to that later. Anyway, this morning I received a regular email from 'Martin's Money-saving Tips.' It comes around every week or two and I always glance through the list to make sure I don't miss out on anything good. As I scrolled near the bottom I came across this sub-heading 'Xmas ads 'don't work': Last week's poll asked if tear-jerker Xmas ads had any impact on where you shop. A whopping 89% of you say you aren't won over by the 'ads' and 9% actively avoid the shops that put them out.'
Wow. I couldn't really believe my eyes. In fact, I was pretty annoyed about it. You see, to me its pretty obvious that a dog jumping on a trampoline and a robin red-breast eating a mince pie isn't really designed to encourage folks to go out and buy stuff... Its been made pretty clear to me in the past few years that the stores 'putting out' adverts with these kind of messages are trying to do something more. I'd like to suggest that they're trying to spread some joy? Some Christmas Spirit? Go beyond gifts? In fact, I think if these particular stores really wanted to persuade people to buy from their shop they'd just do what House of Fraser do every year and release a sucky advert jam packed with all the flashy stuff that can be bought, along with the 'cool' dancers and the modern music! A load of tripe if you ask me...
So yeah, I really don't think that the CHRISTMAS adverts 'don't work', Martin. Based on my observations on social media I'd say that they DO work. Everyone is talking about them, sharing them and getting excited. 'Awwing' at the really good ones with special messages. That's the kind of reaction I'd expect from people. I mean I honestly can't believe that everyone is running to Aldi for their Christmas dinner because a carrot on the telly went on a magical Christmas Adventure with Santa Claus. That just can't be! So I scrolled to the bottom of the email and goodness gracious the subject came up again.
This time the heading read 'THE CHRISTMAS ADS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SHOPS.' Oh do they not? I'd have never guessed that one Martin. It goes on: 'With Xmas ad saturation of commercial breaks at this time of year (to little effect, as the poll results above show), our forumites are asking which are the most annoying. From bouncing dogs to humming families, let us know which Christmas ads you love and hate.'
Okay, so because the people writing this forum clearly believe the adverts are supposed to help sell from these particular shops, they think its stupid that the adverts don't have anything to do with the shops. Hmmmm. They don't have anything to do with the shops...I wonder why oh why that could be the case? CAUSE ITS NOT ABOUT THE FLIPPING SHOPS!!! For goodness sake...they spelled it out plainly but still don't get it. How is this a difficult concept?
Now, maybe I'm wrong. These adverts do cost these companies an awful lot of money. But who isn't going to put out an advert at this time of year? The fact is people ARE going to shop and they ARE going to go to these stores. But I refuse to believe that people are choosing which shops to buy from based on adverts about Mrs Claus' secret double life and a carrot named Kevin. You'll just never convince me of that.
And so, I believe my rant is coming to an end. A rant it may have been, but an important one I believe. And if I haven't convinced you yet (although I really think you'll need to question how your brain works if that is the case haha) then please take a look at what I voted my FAVOURITE Christmas advert not just of this year but of all time. Watch this advert and tell me that Sainsbury's are trying to get you to go out and buy from them? Because this message is THE most relevant and crucial message we need right now in this day and age. And it certainly isn't encouraging you to go down the shop and buy a turkey.
Enjoy!
Having a rant of my own: I think if those big companies quietly donated the money they spend on Christmas advertising to a good cause the Christmas cheer would be far longer lasting and much more in keeping with the spirit of Christmas. People will shop for Christmas regardless of the adverts and I think if Martins analysis is correct then in effect the massive amount of money spent on the adverts is wasted.
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