This Space Available for Advertising

Roy F. Fox made a very startling point in his article, “Salespeak.” When aren’t we exposed to some form of advertising? Even in my own living room, I can reach out and touch ads for Mead, Pepsi, and Walmart. This does not include the banner ads on my computer, or the stacks of magazines on the floor or the “Customer Appreciation” text messages – read “Buy more stuff!” ads – rotting in my inbox. Even, or perhaps especially, in a time of economic turbulence, advertising remains at the forefront of American life. As Fox said, “Salespeak is more than a voice we hear and see: we also wear it, smell it, touch it, play with it.” And, scarily enough, the advertising people are targeting younger and younger audiences. I work with three and four year olds who would make the marketing execs proud: when they get out their tool boxes during play time, they only use “Home Depot” tools. The kids can’t read, but they sure recognize that bright orange logo. In fact, one child yelled at another for saying he was going to the store, and not specifically a trip to Home Depot. Speaking of children and advertising, I found it disturbing that the article mentioned numerous school districts who have agreed to be giant billboards in exchange for money. Many of the tactics mentioned in school-advertising seem subversive and rather devious. Where’s the real focus here?