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Subliminal Advertising? Target’s New Campaign
By Molly's Brother | September 20, 2006
As I was TiVo-ing my way through life last night, I noticed Target’s new ad campaign by a fluke. I was about to pick up my remote to fast forward through the inane and insane commercials that blast ridiculous messages our way. The most ridiculous belongs to Target’s new ad campaign.
Of course it’s got the catchy music and the captivating visuals, both moving by our eyes and our ears at breakneck speed. It wasn’t until the very end of the commercial that it dawned on me what words were being sung.
Target’s new jingle: “Stay in the red.”
I would have dropped the remote for effect. Instead, I sped through the next block of commercials in silence and almost in spite of Target.
Are you kidding me? Target is really going around telling America to “stay in the red.” They really are. Granted, on the most obvious level, it’s a reference to the red and white motif that drowns its shoppers in its store. But no one can deny that the slogan is more than a thinly veiled suggestion Target customers continue their cycle of consumer debt.
Stay in the red? Wow. Gutsy.
I’m wondering if anyone else noticed the campaign and what your thoughts about it are.
Topics: Personal Finance |
September 20th, 2006 at 2:27 pm
Yes! I noticed this ad the other day. I just dismissed it as a pun, but you’re right.
September 20th, 2006 at 3:01 pm
I’d think that would be counter-productive for them. What were the thinking, immediately reminding people of debt?
December 14th, 2006 at 12:58 am
Interesting. After I blogged about that ad, I didn’t see it again. Apparently, it resonated with others in much the same way.