Tobacco company executives predicting the end of Australian civilization* if the federal government introduces plain packaging for cigarettes.
*That’s not exactly what they are predicting, but they’re moaning so much that it sounds much the same.
[This content was originally posted to Google Buzz, #135]
When is a reward not a reward? I just got a phone call from my home telephony provider offering me the “reward” of a free mobile handset… so that they can sign me up to some expensive mobile plan and suck my wallet dry in mobile call usage. No thanks.
[This content was originally posted to Google Buzz, #131]
Advertising = “sophisticated and sustained lying”
Case in point … I don’t care how many tens of thousands of billboards they proclaim it from across the country, chicken and salad stuck between two bun halves by an unmotivated, sleep deprived, absent-minded, pimply teenager can never be truthfully described as
“a little bit fancy”
[This content was originally posted to Google Buzz, #129]
How many words does it take to say “We’re broke”? For the president of Borders Group bookstore Mike Edwards, the answer is 67!
“It has become increasingly clear that in light of the environment of curtailed customer spending, our ongoing discussions with publishers and other vendor related parties, and the company’s lack of liquidity, Borders Group does not have the capital resources it needs to be a viable competitor and which are essential for it to move forward with its business strategy to reposition itself successfully for the long-term”
[This content was originally posted to Google Buzz, #118]
Four commercial deceptions that irritate me …
[This content was originally posted to Google Buzz, #111]
A bread that promotes itself as being both “new” and “traditional” at the same time. I try not to take these things personally, but for people like me it’s like writing in big letters on the packaging “Hey you – we think you’re stupid”
[This content was originally posted to Google Buzz, #110]
“Enviro-marketing ridiculism” – It’s a new term I’ve coined to describe ridiculous marketing of goods under the environmentalism banner. Take this power saving device from Belkin that shuts off power after a pre-set time. In theory a good idea, but look at what their marketing photo shows plugged in to their timer … an electric toothbrush charger!! An electric toothbrush charger draws a massive 1 watt of power!!!!! (Yes – that’s one sole lone watt – I know this to be true, I just measured mine.)
It is quite possible that the timer itself draws more power than the toothbrush charger it is controlling! All in all, a classic case of enviro-marketing ridiculism.
[This content was originally posted to Google Buzz, #107]
My kids got a pogo stick for Christmas. Right next to the fancy stylised brand name NO RULES is the plain font message
“Always wear a helmet, protective pads,… No stunt riding … Not for use on …. adult supervision …”
[This content was originally posted to Google Buzz, #103]