Seth Abramson says 91% of all TV commercials are now irrelevant. nt

[tblue37]

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. I find 100% of them irrelevant. Stopped watching 10 yrs ago.

not just watching ads...watching tv.

[LisaM]

2. Seems like it.

We just saw one for Folgers coffee with 8 people carpooling in one car and we flinched.

[Demovictory9]

8. some products/services are still needed just as much as ever

car sales. Car repair (had my car towed and repaired a few days ago, tow truck driver was worried about loss of income)
Food
Hygiene / cleaning
pet food / pet supplies
childcare - diapers, etc.
Toys - keep kids occupied.


help me out...

[Aquaria]

13. The criticism wasn't of the products advertised

But of the way they're advertised. Did you miss the "8 people in a car" trope, when we're supposed to practice social distancing? Running that kind of ad is as oblivious as it is irresponsible.

Furthermore, it's beyond tone deaf, if not downright sadistic, for TV networks and companies to run ads for products that many of us cannot even find in stores and probably won't get at all until Easter, if not later. I never did take marketing in college (I was busy getting a real education), but even I can grasp that pursuing an advertising strategy of offering products that aren't available would flunk me out of Marketing 101.

Probably in the first week of class, no less!

But yeah, keep advertising things that don't exist, for all intents and purposes. That will win lots of loyal customers.

[lordsummerisle]

3. Some context/link? n/t

[tblue37]

9. No context. Just an interesting observation about the gap between our current reality and

what TV commercials are trying to sell.

Link to tweet

[captain queeg]

4. Didn't think of it, but I'm sure we'll be seeing all sorts of new commercials soon

Things are going to get very different, worse

[Big Blue Marble]

10. Think about it....

who willl make new ads now.

[Aquaria]

15. Advertisers can get it done, if they must.

Ads featuring only the products have always existed, you know. I seem to remember some of the Energizer ads that had only the batteries and the wind-up bunny, and they were effective and popular. Someone sets up the product. Someone else films it. In another location, someone records the voiceover. In yet another, someone provides some CGI, if necessary and in yet another someone edits it into a final product.

Product-only ads can fill in for the time being. Customers will understand, and maybe even appreciate companies being responsible rather than exposing people to a dangerous virus simply to sell a product.

Unfortunately, those who will suffer most from product-only ads are actors and all the support staff for them to appear on camera.

[Big Blue Marble]

20. I am sure you are right.

The advertising industry is one of the most creative. They are highly motivated.

[lunatica]

18. That'll be interesting

How do they sell cars to people who are forced to stay home? Or beer to basketball and football fans? Or restaurant ads to people who aren’t allowed to go to them?

It looks like life has split between before the Coronavirus and after it. Each side is a polar opposite of the other.

[Totally Tunsie]

5. Actually, I've seen quite a few that have already been adapted

to COVID-19. They generally have added a "We care. Here's how we can help." message or something along those lines. To me, it was surprising to see the updates so soon. YMMV

[dweller]

6. saw one for Angelsoft TP

i'm .. seriously

✌🏼

[TheBlackAdder]

14. A nice Koch Industry product.

[Karadeniz]

7. That's just what I thought! Advertising the things they're advertising is a waste of money!

[customerserviceguy]

11. I've picked up on that

I don't believe I am influenced to buy by TV ads, but I do notice a lot of them. There are things being advertised that no sane person will go out and buy. I have noticed a few of them refer to the current crisis, and are attempting to hold on to customers through a positive "We'll all get through this, and we'll be here ready for you when its over."

[RhodeIslandOne]

12. Seems like it.

I watch TV and it's still the same endless stream of drivel as it was a month ago.

[Aquaria]

17. Some ad buys take place more than 2 weeks in advance, or are standing orders that last a while.

Ads like these will either have to play out until their terms expire, or until the networks and advertisers can find graceful ways to back out of the contracts.

[lunatica]

16. I noticed that too

They’re a day late and a dollar short. Completely obsolete now.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

19. If he's talking about irrelevance to the average viewing audience, I agree....

although it depends on time of day.

I no longer watch TV but see it numerous times a day as I walk through our living room. Many commercials I see are for a.) prescription drugs, b.) personal injury attorneys, or c.) auto insurance.

Based on those observations, it's quite possible that over 90% of viewer's interests have no relevance to such ads.

Personally, I believe prescription drug ads should be banned from public advertisement on TV and in magazines.