I really dislike the way that so many companies are trying to personify their brand. Associating with imagined humanistic traits, so that they can choose the way in which consumers relate to each section of their business – the concept is so unbelievably Machiavellian. And all of this fey, sickly indie-folk music advertising products which could be perceived as the embodiment of many of societies’ ills – the irony is deafening.
And while most people probably think they’re too sophisticated to fall for any of the marketer’s tricks – maybe this isn’t the case? Why aren’t there limits, when companies with a lot of money and power are otherwise given free reign to mess with the public perception?
But we all just accept it .. and because the change happens so gradually, we don’t really mind. I dislike the idea of activism because all too often it seems that an activist’s views are often as polarised as the views they’re opposed to, but sooner or later something has to be done to moderate consumerism.
We’re probably going to come out of the recession over the next 12 months, but nothing will have changed. I’m not expecting a revolution – but it would be nice to know that things could be slightly different this time around.