Today I found on The Register (one of the websites I visit often) an article on unlimited broadband. The article itself wasn’t that good, but one paragraph caught my eye:

“I’m writing to the Advertising Standards Authority about this. To me, ‘unlimited’ broadband cannot be provided at a rock bottom price, and anybody who says it can, is being innovative with the level of honesty they are using.”

Innovative with the level of honesty!!! That is a classic description of marketing! In general most marketing is pretty up front, but I know there is definatley some industries and advertising that is ‘beyond that line’.

I for one wouldn’t work for a number of companies. Tobacco co’s are the ovbious ones, but I’d also have to think long and hard about things like Fast food outlets (with their advertising of addictive products to children).

The ad that is really gettign to me at the moment is Xtras “Cheeper Faster Broadband”. Its a bit rich putting such a positive spin on something you have only done because you have been made to do it to avoid regulation (which didn’t work).

I had to laugh when reading the article on broadband, as it suggests that this style of advertising and the ‘innovation’ they are using with their ‘level of honesty’ is happening around the world – not just here.

Its things like this that give us marketeers a bad name.

Shane