By now, you have all heard about the Dunkin Donuts Rachel Ray ad debacle. It’s very interesting that the judges of this ad actually think that Rachel Ray, Dunkin Donuts and/or her stylist, who supposedly chose the ill-fated scarf, were in cohorts with each other to use a coffee ad as some call-out to terrorists. It reminds me of a time back in the 80s (at least I think it was the 80s) where the advertising industry was accused of hiding subliminal messages in ads or the phenomenon of playing records backwards to hear the “demonic” messages musicians were embedding in their music. Remember the McCarthy trials of the 50s? Does any of this sound familiar as an over-reaction?

Come on, America, sometimes an ad is just an ad. The purpose of an ad is to make consumers aware of a product or service, or (get ready for this) to actually sell a product or service. There are times when you have to take things at face value and this is probably one of those times. So, now we are not allowed to wear black and white scarves? What’s next? Not talking on our cell phones? Not being allowed to wear red shoes?

Article Tags: ad symbolism | advertisements | meaning of advertising
Filed under: Advertising