As a parent of a 4-year-old you end up watching your fair share of Noggin, Playhouse Disney and Sprout. In the past the majority of the commercials were kids-stuff, i.e. toys, cereals, fun-yogurt-type-things, etc. Recently though a number of 'adult-themed' commercials are in the mix. By adult, I mean commercials for debt consolidation services and stay-at-home business offers (read: pyramid schemes).
While watching one of the stay-at-home business commercials last week my son said to me, "Daddy, we need to visit that web site so I can buy a pool."
Obviously the firms are targeting parents who often watch these shows with their kids, but explaining debt consolidation to your 4-year old is like explaining a Cialis commercial.
Or perhaps there are thousands of toddlers deep in credit card debt that need our help.
Visitor Comments
Josh, the only thing shocking about the adult-centric ads is that no one has marketed a "Workout with the Wiggles" DVD.
My wife would have bought it...
Posted by: Ike | July 25, 2006 2:40 PM
Have you seen Juliet Schor's book, "Born to Buy"? The ads targeted at children are bad enough without adding the "adult-themed" ones! So far I've managed to limit my child to PBS... but as Schor points out, it's got ads now, too.
Posted by: Karen | July 28, 2006 9:48 AM