Many people are quick to point out the deficiencies, and resulting decline, of print media. Actually, I find it difficult to imagine a single day of class in which this very topic was somehow alluded to or addressed. However, the class never discussed at length about the huge declines of the newspaper's counterpart, advertising.
When the wave of Depression hit, the advertising industry had no choice but to hold its breath. After all, as we mentioned in class, companies looking to cut costs often trim away advertising budgets first. Do date, this has certainly proven true.
The financial and employment consequences for ad agencies aside, I predict several changes in ad content. The first is a movement away from aggressive content or themes. When the country hurts, its people hurt. When people are hurt, they reach for a band-aid to cover the wound, not sea salt to light the wound on fire. That being said, ad agencies know that people are seeking comfort. Warm sounds, soft colors, and pleasant slogans will appear. The grass will be green, unless the green is stained onto white play-clothes. In that case, the mother, although busy will take opportunity to try...another Billy Mays product.
Our strong traditions are another type of band-aid. Think about warmly-hazy images of the past, before you scraped your knee. No pain then. Ignore the pain now, until it goes away on it's own. Uncle Sam has been using this style band-aid for years now.
If band-aid'ed pleasantries won't work, look for ambiguous depictions of the future. Take car commercials for example. It's dark out side as you speed ahead. Only lights and vague shapes can be made out because you're moving too quickly. Confidently. Zoom ahead with a swagger--insight and foresight optional.
This may all seem dark. It's dark times.
Check This Stuff:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=car%20commercials&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=cUG&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv#q=car+commercials&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=cUG&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv&start=50
Jamie Goodin
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