Advertising

Advertising
Millions go on adverts, it’s part of our web of life.
The majority just go unheard, though a few of them survive.
Unless you only landed on this planet this past week,
you’ll know the famous spread that puts a rose in every cheek,
and even in those days before anyone had telly.
But I sometimes think those Ad-men miss their intended goal,
when we remember their one-liners, but forget what was their role.
Think of those super tissues with their one wipe and it’s clean,
that was meant for every surface, not one private spot, it seems.
And when Paul was at his barbie, an iconic phrase was born,
but the aim was for more tourists, not a rush on buying prawns.
Our great Road Safety Council, in an effort to save lives,
implored us all so earnestly Don’t Drink and Drive.
It was pretty obvious to do so would cause woes,
that stuff was only useful for cleaning dirty clothes.
How many do remember the purpose of the ad
from where we get the catchphrase we use when things go bad?
If little things throughout our day don’t fit into our plan,
we say with mock sincerity NOT-HAPPY-JAN.
Thus companies spend their dollars to woo us through their doors,
so they can fondle happily that money that was yours.
Yet even if their message doesn’t change the brand you’re using,
Their ditties and one-liners can still be most amusing.
© Pete Stratford 29.8.10