Enough Already
Posted by on 07/13/2010
Enough with the local ads with the owners barely comprehensible kids in them. You’ve seen them. First, there’s the messaging to buy their vinyl siding, vinyl windows, vinyl carpet, or vinyl whatever. Then cut to the family where the little girl says something garbled while the proud parents look on. I’ve never seen a little boy in any of these kinds of spots. Maybe the people that sell vinyl housing products are somehow unable to produce male offspring. That could be good news, because there would be no one to inherit the business and have their daughters in future spots. I don’t mean to be sexist, but from the ads, it would appear that only men own these types of companies.
I’ve never seen any data that says having your kids in the spots works. For all I know, there’s a huge market out there comprised of people who buy vinyl housing products once they see a commercial with a three-year old girl saying something only a lip reader could decipher. Either that or the people that shoot these spots are really good at selling business owners the idea of having their families in the commercials.
I’m all for free enterprise and people building their businesses the way they see fit. It’s the American way and all that. But can they please run some sort of warning before the spots air, like networks do when a show or movie with potentially objectionable scenes of violence, bloodshed or sex is about to come on? That would give me enough time to grab the remote and change the channel. Either that, or I’ve got to take lip reading classes.
I thought I was the only one who was super annoyed with those crazy commercials! But, Peter…..what about when it’s on the radio? Your lip reading classes won’t help that!
Amen! I’m always amazed at how the voices in some local spots can stay so indecipherable, especially these days when it’s easy to make a spot that at least shows a hint of professional polish.
I am right there with you Peter. I get a sick feeling in my stomach when I see these ads. What is even stranger to me is that these type of ads can still be seen in big cities. I would love to see some stats about the effectiveness of these ads. My guess is that the ROI is pretty weak.
I also think part of the problem is that these tv commercials are CHEAP. If you don’t have the budget to actually come up with something interesting and creative, it’s EASY to fall back on the “how about we fill 10 seconds of the spot with the kids” concept. Being a video producer and marketing guy, I understand the need to build a personal relationship with your prospects and customers, but you should do that with yourself…not with your kids IMO.