Harris Interactive doesn’t care about its own image, let alone how they affect young children
Take a look at this newsletter from Harris Interactive and Advertising Age. The marketing information presented is based on Harris’ YouthQuery survey and a survey conducted by Westin “our focus statement is classic zombie copy” Rinehart, among others.
The copy reads:
The greatest challenge in youth marketing may not be getting kids to buy your product, but getting them to buy it again and again because they think their young lives would be devoid of meaning without the item. So the path leads from intent to action to such satisfaction that it becomes habit. And the marketing message can be the trigger.
Emphasis mine. Is Harris trying to be uber-postmodern by flippantly acknowledging the callous tenets of marketing to children? Maybe.
I’d say this makes a case for the hey-it’s-the-parents’-responsibilty-not-mine-I’m-just-doing-my-job-and-collecting-my-bonuses attitude of corporate marketers who refuse to admit the negative and unhealthy effects they have on children’s lives.
Oh, and Harris? You might want to do a quick review of what’s on your website?
You know, in case any potential corporate clients drop by?
September 26th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Ah ha! Great post!! Does it just boil your blood? Indeed. That’s why I get so giddy about Cartoon Network hiring someone full time (high ranking person too) to mind the “social responsibility” of everything they do. — I think its a brilliant step for a network that caters to such a diverse, large age range scale (ex. kids morning, tweens afternoon, college kids/adults at night). Someone has to be there posing the right questions, trying to ensure safety & correct understanding.
BRAVO CARTOON NETWORK.
September 27th, 2007 at 8:00 am
“corporate marketers who refuse to admit the negative and unhealthy effects they have on children’s lives.” This argument is kinda played out… Sorry. I like the post though…the Vick thing is funny. Marketing 101: Never trust a pro-athlete.
September 27th, 2007 at 8:15 am
JJ Bugs: thanks for stopping by and introducing me to your blog.
So, how has this argument been “played out?” I’m interested in your thoughts . . . .
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:19 am
[…] Angela Natividad at AdRants) and “played out” (according to a Two Knives comment from JJBugs) argument, but evidently the message is not getting […]