We Boomers used to call it selling-out. But this goes further back, there was the Game Show scandal, and also Payola. Nobody liked it then. Of course for years friends and family have been pitched by Amway, with annoyance and other network marketers and “is this a pyramid scheme?” are influencers selling on commission? Why does my spell-check keep underlining influencers with a red squiggly line? Is it not a real word. So what happened?
Do Millenials want to keep it real or sell out? Are they rejecting Boomers and capitalism, or taking it to new level?
Maybe it is all just entertainment now.
It’s not fake news, it’s entertainment.
I’m not sure which song is echoing more earnestly in my head, Video Vicious or Have a Cigar. Video Vicious is a song by the Resistors. A band from Buffalo NY in the early ’80’s. It decried the fact that television was an insidious influence. Have a Cigar is Pink Floyd’s song about the joys of seduction and subsequent exploitation of music artists.
GANG OF FOUR – ENTERTAINMENT! BUY IT!!!
I Found That Essence Rare
The worst thing in 1954 was the bikini
See the girl on the TV dressed in a bikini
She doesn’t think so but she’s dressed for the H-bomb
(For the H-bomb)
I knew I’d get what I asked for
The worst happens any week a scandal on the front page
See the happy pair smiling close like they are monkeys
They wouldn’t think so but they’re holding themselves down
(Hold themselves down)
I knew I’d get what I asked for
I knew I’d get what I asked for
The last thing they’ll ever do act in your interest
Look at the world through your Polaroid glasses
Things’ll look a whole lot better for the working classes
(Working classes)
I knew I’d get what I asked for
I knew I’d get what I asked for
Payola is ok. Just not with radio stations.
Fixed prize wining are ok. Just not on TV.
Network marketing is ok. Just don’t talk to me.
Pay for play is ok. Just not in local government.
Brand loyalty can be bought.
The marketer needs to get a fundamental understanding of the products they sell and what influences their customers to buy. Bring it house,make it the core and essence of the messaging. Get help from an advertising agency. The stewards of the brand must not be pay for play, because then the message is clear – brand loyalty can be bought.
