WHO DO YOU THANK?

Who do you thank?

When you discover a product you really like, who do you thank? The manufacturer? The distributor? Or maybe the store?

Why not thank the originator? In the case of Yoplait yogurt, the cow who gave fresh milk. A clean fresh approach to the solution. 

A Forrest Of Weasels

A Forrest Of Weasels                                                                    

I’ve spoken before about weasels and how they are there to protect an advertiser from lawsuits. Some are written in mouse-sized type, but some are in large type. Here’s an example.

This ad is about a non-prescription drug or supplement (which is a red flag to be aware). It means the food and drug guys haven’t given an opinion on its ingredients or safety. Take at your own risk. To begin, it isn’t "FREE!"   (You just pay shipping and handling. See how much that is. You just bought the stuff.)   

I have always said to read all the small print at the bottom of the ad. It’s put there by the lawyers. Stop the picture and read it. Here’s a typical example: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease.  

It’s a real warning. The weasel here is the word “disease”. Prostate problems haven’t been classified as a disease. This problem is real, but not a “disease”. So they are free to sell this product for treating the “problem”.  

Other weasels are in the claims:

“less urges to urinate” (less than what?), “More sleep” (more than what?),“easier bladder emptying” (easier than what?), or just hinting at a sexual remedy. “healthier romantic life”. You get the technique.

 Their proof of effectiveness is how many they “shipped across the world.”(not sold to customers. Shipped. Probably a carload from China)  and their “guarantee”, which they don’t even mention in the ad. (probably to send it back if it doesn’t work for your money back. They will, to prevent a charge of false advertising, knowing very few will actually do that.) 

This is the case in a lot of the medically related products sold, but occurs in many other situations. You must be aware of these tricks of the trade to be a wise consumer.                                                          

                                                                    

Theater Of Cruelty

Theater Of Cruelty

Most people, when they have mice, want to get rid of them as quickly and humanely as possible. The Dead Mouse Theater takes pleasure in finding cruel ways to demonstrate how they think it should be done.

From incinerating them on a “Rocket Ship To Heaven” explosion, From a “Death Bullet”, shooting them out of an exhaust pipe head-first into a tombstone and dropping into a grave. I once commented on their use of dead mice in a Viking play where a friend shows no mercy to his friend and kills him with a mace. They even give advice about killing moles. “It’s easy to make a mountain out of a molehill when you have moles.” what sensitivity! It sounds like the atrocities in a concentration camp.

I would question anyone’s violence potential who actually would be stimulated to call this company. Or use whatever they’re selling. 

"they're Out There" sighting

“ They’re Out There” sighting.

A clever introduction of a new product. A take-off on the “bigfoot” sightings, where someone sees something they can’t explain, and no-one believes them. Honda Pioneer 1000 4-wheel vehicle.

EVEN DEER KNOW BETTER

EVEN DEER KNOW BETTER

Putting a twist on an obvious expectation is a surprise technique used to create memorability.

The public safety ad that turns this trick does so to make the point about texting and not paying attention, whether you are driving or walking. Instead of a deer being caught in the headlights, it is a boy walking in front of a car. It’s the deer who can’t believe how foolish it is.