Messages from beyond

I ran a marketing agency for most of my career in which we produced advertising plus lots of other corporate communications activities. I was  proud to be in that industry. But today, my pride is withering.
Why?
Well, most people know that the famed interviewer Larry King died a few years back (it was in 2021). And yet, people get mail from him today stressing the need to take the pills he endorses to handle prostrate supplements. The letter quotes Larry stating the pills have “changed his life”:. Yeah… maybe changed it to having no life at all? Don’t the marketers promoting this product realize we know Larry ain’t here no more!! Seriously!
 
And then there’s a full page "How dare you" ad in this weekend’s Globe and Mail signed by Col. Harlan Sanders – that’s Col Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame – complaining that KFC is selling their chicken too cheaply. Sure. OK. But Harland Sanders died in 1980!! That’s 43 years ago!! And you know what: I think most people know that. Not necessarily the date he died, but ask folks and they’ll tell you the guy’s been 6 feet under for some time.
 
Don’t know about you, but when a company wants me to buy their product or service, and then treats me like a moron, I’ll turn my back on ‘em right away.

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