When I was growing up, I saw ads on TV where girls in school uniforms were playing with toilet paper and singing "stay dry 24/7." I assumed it was some sort of food or drink, or possibly something else. It was not until I was an adult that I realized the ads were for sanitary pads. So I wondered, why did not they talk about the uses of these PADS even though they obviously wouldn't show how it was being worn?
It confused me as a 14-year-old, and it was not until I got older that I realized I might not have understood because I was not the intended audience.
Also, I wondered why most alcoholic companies would say things like "drink responsibly" after discussing the beer's ingredients and so on. Did they mean people should dress cooperately, sip the alcohol with utmost care and love? Although I understand what they meant by "...not for persons under 18" but why would they ask people to drink these stuffs responsibly?
Again, I had to mature to understand that alcohol has the potential to intoxicate people and lead to irresponsible behavior. So, why did not they just show people throwing up in their bosses' offices, pissing on the highway, or simply falling into a gutter? I mean, instead of saying drink responsibly, these videos will effectively convey the message.
Cigarette ads in 2003
The only ad I saw growing up that really left a warning about using their product was ST MORITZ; I mean, they literally had to say "smokers are liable to die young" before going on to talk about getting high and how pleasant it was.
This was in the early 2000s, and cigarettes companies are no longer allowed to make ads. I believe this was because the government viewed their products as having more negative than positive effects.
However, my point is that most advertising companies fail to convey the idea behind their products, either because they are targeting a different audience or because they intentionally omit details that should be useful to the general public.
Betting Ads in 2025
Betting companies are the worst advertisers, so the consequences of betting are rarely discussed. The addiction, craze, and psychological harm it can cause to a person. Rather, these companies constantly talk about winning.
They use the prospect of winning to entice people, ignoring the fact that 80% of gamblers lose money. They do not remind or educate people about the benefits or drawbacks, instead focusing solely on the former, because they believe that anyone over the age of 18 should be able to make their own decisions. Of course not, because if they do, how will they continue to ruin the lives of so many people while remaining in business?
I've never trusted ads and advertising companies..
The black Friday Scam
Black Friday is another misplaced ad that never tells the whole story. This explains why they have terms and conditions. They trick you into thinking you are getting something for free, but by the time you have fully fulfilled the terms and conditions, you have already paid for your product.
Ads do not tell the whole story of a product that a company is trying to sell; there is always a back story you do not know, a detail they purposefully omit, or a condition they will not tell you about until you are fully committed.
Salespeople are the worst at this, which is why I question every catch. The only person who can condemn or recommend a product is someone who has actually used it, not an advertisement.
However, ads remain very powerful, even though not everyone will be able to purchase a product simply by seeing an ad.
A successful advertisement can generate hype by putting products in front of people and getting them to talk about them.
Bringing it to your OLED SCREENS
However, in 2025, I do not believe television advertisements will thrive as much as they did in 2008. More people no longer trust their local TV station.. people are either stuck on YouTube or on Facebook.
So, what do these companies do?
They bring these ads closer to you, where you will undoubtedly see them. Why do you think companies tries too hard to involve ads in the daily lives of people?
Is it from the goodness of their heart? If you stand to gain a lot, why don't they just share these opportunities with their families alone? Why are ads about products everywhere, but you'll hardly see ads about job opportunities?
Interested in some more of my posts
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Survival: Choas and Scarcity
Crypto: Gut & meaningful Connections
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What Are Some Things You Should not Do During A Bull Market Year?
