Is it weird to educate your 22 month old and 3 year old about marketing...how it works, its intent, its alluring effectiveness, and so on? Because if it is, Kate and I are weird!
We decided recently to have these little chats, because we see the girls (Cora mostly) being suckered in by marketing campaigns, co-branding, and yes...THE MAN. (well, maybe not the man)
Nonetheless we've been able to talk about the fact that macaroni is the same whether there's a picture of Shreik or Mickey Mouse on the box. We've been able to show her that generic Aldi cereal is just as good as the prettier boxes with fun cartoon characters and Disney princesses. So there, EAT THAT Kraft and General Mills!
Basically we're just trying to open up their eyes as early as possible to how we are a manipulated society that are so easily co-opted by the slick and sexy. It certainly is broader than products and the like, but affects everything we do and the decisions we make. I truly believe that gone is the day when the consumer presses and pushes the market. We've entered into an era where marketing and branding is everything, and we rarely even see it anymore. THE MAN is now telling us what we want, need, and desire.
We'll see how it goes...
Peace,
Ross
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