Here is something that has bothered me for some time, although it's really gotten to me since my foray into motherhood (where it seems to proliferate): Re-branding.
What I'm talking about is the branding of things that were once generic - or at least sported their own trade mark - and are now marketed with the help of some other brand, most commonly from a TV show or movie.
It really got to me this past Valentine's Day, when I went shopping for some Valentine's Day cards to distribute from Oliver. Since he was only 8.5 months old, I thought something puppy dog themed, or teddy bear, or, I don't know, simple and cutsie, would be appropriate. All I could find, in the boxed card section anyway, was Blues Clues, Shrek, Spiderman, Elmo, Dora the Explorer, and some violent looking space superhero guys that I never heard of but I'm pretty certain they're from a TV show.
It took me forever to find crib bedding I liked. While there were other factors in this conundrum, I had to sort through an inordinate amount of Disney, Winnie-the-Pooh (more Disney), and Nickelodeon characters.
Pre-baby, I went out game board shopping. Just try and buy an old classic, new from the store. Everything is now "CSI" Clue, "Sopranos" Monopoly, "Lost" Risk, etc. All I wanted was just a plain old board game where it's about the game, not the TV tie-in.
Is anybody else bovvered by this??
I've contemplated why this is the trend. Is it because these things don't make enough money on their own and therefore need the sponsorship of a bigger name? Or is it because companies are all turning into conglomerates and own everything and therefore find this extra advertising advantageous? To me, it cheapens things. It's like, "how much money can we make off our interests?" While of course anything that's being sold is supposed to turn a profit, there was a time when the companies weren't so obvious about it. I miss that time.
If I was more influential, I'd try to start a movement, a boycott, of re-branded products. And whether or not anybody follows, I myself will make every effort to buy books with the pre-movie release covers, toys that are collectible for their coolness, not movie tie-in and food that is marketed on taste and quality, not a big, green, cartoon character movie star and his cartoon cohorts.
There. I feel better already.
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7 comments:
Oh I KNOW! I am STILL looking for crib bedding that I like. I will break out the sewing machine and make my own before I buy flipping Disney Princesses sheets!
Ha ha! That's what I said, until pushed to actually break out said sewing machine, at which time I had to concede defeat (Martha Stewart can rest easy). I'll post some pics of the set I got soon.
I did that with the curtains for the kids bedrooms (brought out the sewing machine) which worked fine for a few years, but the infuriating thing is that the TV GETS to the kids, by which stage they DO NOT want their poor mothers homemade stuff...!! And they definitly don't agree with half of my idealistic views... One of these days I hope they will grow up to appriciate the values and stands of their poor old mum :-) For now I'm afraid that the commercialism has the upper hand - big scary monsters, disney princess and spiderman is THE thing...sigh...
He what holds the cash picks the patterns, I say. When Oliver makes his own money he can buy all the Disney he wants (although since we don't have a TV he may not be as inclined - we'll see). Until then he'll have to suffer under my (incredibly stylish) regime! Good on you for making the curtains yourself - I was inspired to try that after learning the drapes at a B&B I stayed in, in Wales two years ago, were all made by the guy who ran the place. Then again, he DID work for Laura Ashley... but the problem remains - I still don't sew!
... And further to your comment, I think in the long run your values and idealistic views WILL wear them down and maybe even trump Spiderman someday. Afterall, where did you get your ideas? Probably from your parents, who may have also despaired at you ever learning from them. I'm sure my mum did! But don't forget Proverbs 22:6.
I think I have to 'fess up, since I'm feeling a bit guilty about having started this whole wholesome homemaker nonsense. To be absolutely honest, it isn't the Commercialism I'm against per se. In fact, I'm a TOTAL sucker for the Disney Beast and my child will positively FREQUENT the Orlando theme parks. Sorry Pure Ones. It's just the tackiness of the home decor options Disney and its ilk churn out that I can't accept. I'm obscenely keen for the rest of the hay ride: videos, toys, dress up costumes to play in, you name it.
Having admitted that, I still can claim at least a shred of wholesomeness 'cause the one thing I really CAN sew is a good set of curtains. Plans actually are in the works to create a couple of sets for the flat within the month. (Watch this space, though. It took me three days just to watch a video during the times that Scarlett's schedule didn't demand my full attention!)
I am all about the boycott, but fear the kids will figure it out and potentially bear a grudge for a while, chances are they will survive - and I too...
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