Ive recently had a number of conversations about what I do for a living. In some of these situations, people have nodded their heads at me and said, Youre in marketing. So that basically means youre evil. And its supposed to be a half-joke, because many perceive those of us in marketing and advertising to be money-hungry deceptive con artists. Theres good reason for that. I get it. A lot of people in marketing are douchebags. And then we start talking about Facebook. But heres my reply: If you dont want to be tracked, go offline. Ello is not going to solve your problem. You want privacy? Get off a social network. If you dont want to be shown ads, live off grid in the woods. Marketing and advertising have been around in America since the colonial era. We have been continually sophisticating the data process from one single ad in Ben Franklins Pennsylvania Gazette to creating ads that--according to what you like and what youve done recently that youve shared publicly online--show you what is important to you. We learn what matters. So we, the advertisers, are narrowing that down for you to give you a better experience. The advertising experience isnt going to go away, but were trying to make it better for you. It shoulders and supports and pays for so much of what you love. We--marketing agencies working on behalf of everyone from mom and pop shops to Fortune 500 leaders--are still trying to sell you products and services through multiple channels (TV, internet, radio, print), because thats what we do for a living. And you can continue what you do for a living. We are not a money-free economy. You should have a problem with cell providers and websites like this sharing your info with government agencies. Have a problem with banks and corporations lying outright to you and getting away with it. Have a problem with the snake oil magicians who promise you the world, then take it for themselves and leave your town penniless and confused. But dont be angry with the people who are trying to get your local businesses and hardworking innovators the exposure they deserve.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:30:47 +0000
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