I just wanted to thank you for your work, both the book and the blog. You’re serving an important function, saying what many people without a stage want to say about the relentlessness and inanity of marketing and product differentiation.
Hi,
I just heard you on NPR this morning. I have a question. Why are there always two bathtubs on Cialis commercials? I just don’t get it. Cialis is about sex and closeness; you and your lover can’t be close in two bathtubs. Oh, unless it’s to clean up the mess…
Along with the usual culprits of mega-marketing, nothing has come close to what the pet industry has done to society. By using dogs in nearly everything from selling carpets, cars, toys, movies, televisions, you name it; everyone is convinced they need a dog. Must have a dog, otherwise, they are truly un-American. President Obama does not want a dog. He and his wife would have had a dog by now if they really wanted one. Why are the media and the general public forcing them to get a dog? They don’t want one.
Since dogs are the now the new people, many people that have dogs treat people as second class citizens because dogs are more important.
The pet industry is getting astronomically, filthy rich from the cuteness of dogs and other animals. I know, I live in the dog-dumping-state of Colorado. Hundreds of dogs are dumped here by “do-gooders” who want to take advantage of people who can’t let a cute dog face go by. These cute faces cause guilt and anger because people can’t say “NO”.
People are trapped in their homes and won’t go socialize with friends because they feel so sorry for their dogs being alone.
Dogs are in restaurants and grocery stores, which is illegal in my state. But it doesn’t matter because everyone’s dog is an exception.
Dogs in motels and hotels make me gag. I don’t want to be in a bed where a dog has wallowed.
Dog owners won’t clean up after their pets and destroy neighborhoods by letting dogs bark night and day.
I can’t find a place that won’t allow dogs. Fancy new home and condo sellers pander to dog owners, where their dogs will wreck a lawn and destroy a house. Not to mention the dog biting that we never hear about. Where in the world will it end?
In the Old Testament it was a golden calf, now it’s a golden retriever.
…yah, I’m with you on this commonsense thing. Sometimes I get the feel that the commercial world is run by a bunch of kids, I mean, the mindset of children, not that children shouldn’t have a say, let children speak to children; anyone in the know or that are commercial-wise are beyond the idiots that will put anything together to please some CEO working in a dark room, no pun intended. We need retail critiques, commercial critics, and a word or two about commonsense. Time to say goodbye to stupidity – wake up bright eyed high-tech world, for sure, yah, for sure.
Like 2o million other people, I heard the story on NPR this morning. I work in the grunt end of consumer products (apparel manufacturing) and of course I agree with the sentiments expressed on this morning’s show; *value* and quality is a constant running battle I have with the brand creators in our midst (sample http://bit.ly/CLdxH). I take a lot of heat for my opinions so obviously I think the validation is great. So magnanimous of me I know.
I have one complaint tho, your site design. Please, for the love of god, get rid of the snapshot widget! Sheer irony, it’s the web equivalent of a pet rock! Cutline is a great template to start with but it’s time to discard the pull-ups and move up to big boy pants. I used Ashwebstudio and was very pleased. There are some companies you should avoid (Unique Blog Designs comes to mind).
Hello. I also heard you on NPR.
As someone who makes local TV ads, I find your anti-consumerism refreshing. It’s nice to know someone else (at least *one* other someone) sees – and hates – the pap we’re exposed to everyday. I’ll be back, friend!
I’m surprised you don’t have anything on this site about ‘retail entertainment.’
I used to work for DFS, before and after they became a subsidiary of LVMH. DFS was a pioneer of retail entertainment.
Retail entertainment: where shopping itself is not only a form of entertainment, but is a “lifestyle experience.” As far as DFS is concerned, that’s a /luxury/ lifestyle experience.
I wish I were making this up.
Just plug it into the Google. Retail entertainment DFS galleria lifestyle experience. With or without quotes around each two-word term and in variable sequences for some variety. You’ll find some incredible marketing & PR word salad about the concept.
I heard your interview on NPR today. I thought it was great, especially what you said about Spirit Airlines.
I have a small company here in Colorado and we don’t spend much on marketing, instead we try to focus on putting a good product out (American made) for a good price and we hope that people will appreciate the value. I have to tell you that its frustrating to me when other companies tout their image as American, made in the USA, waving the flag etc…and really the only thing that is actually located in this country is the marketing machine driving that message.
Thanks for your work, I will be back to your site often!
Hi! I have heard your piece on NPR. I think some people who leave messages here are just hungry business people who in their opportunism consider this site just another marketing outlet. You think they would get the joke by now. Anyway, there is a guy in IL his name is Mr Monroe and he has been taking corporations to court for consumer fraud , one lawsuit at the time fighting nonsense that you describe in your interview. As I know him, he’s not in it for a money and I think NPR did interview him few months ago as “ethical terrorist.” You should check him out. His email is d2020man@yahoo.com. Good Luck.
Hi Sam. As a former retailer who struggles with his past, I’m enjoying my read of Retail Anarchy. Thought you might enjoy the Dash Walmsly videos we created (see the website link). He’s a Retail “ExperiExpert”, (a so-called expert as you call them).
writing as an act of penance,
Dave
“Anarchy is a sweet word, but we all need furniture”
I’m not sure how you would interpret this lyric from the song “Anarchy” by Nobody Can Dance or whether you would agree, but I thought it was relevant to retail anarchy, since it has to do with the appeal of anarchy vs. actual economic practicality.
We have to talk. I mean We really have to talk. I read your book and very much like the sort or sarcastic tone you use to prove a point. I have been entertaining an idea about a book whose time has come. I want to do it in a new format. I want you to work with me…We have to talk. Either I am just another ….whatever….or …..We need to talk.
14 responses so far ↓
1 Joel // Apr 9, 2009 at 5:55 am
I just wanted to thank you for your work, both the book and the blog. You’re serving an important function, saying what many people without a stage want to say about the relentlessness and inanity of marketing and product differentiation.
Again, thank you.
2 jen // Apr 9, 2009 at 6:28 am
Hi,
I just heard you on NPR this morning. I have a question. Why are there always two bathtubs on Cialis commercials? I just don’t get it. Cialis is about sex and closeness; you and your lover can’t be close in two bathtubs. Oh, unless it’s to clean up the mess…
3 Perry // Apr 9, 2009 at 8:28 am
Along with the usual culprits of mega-marketing, nothing has come close to what the pet industry has done to society. By using dogs in nearly everything from selling carpets, cars, toys, movies, televisions, you name it; everyone is convinced they need a dog. Must have a dog, otherwise, they are truly un-American. President Obama does not want a dog. He and his wife would have had a dog by now if they really wanted one. Why are the media and the general public forcing them to get a dog? They don’t want one.
Since dogs are the now the new people, many people that have dogs treat people as second class citizens because dogs are more important.
The pet industry is getting astronomically, filthy rich from the cuteness of dogs and other animals. I know, I live in the dog-dumping-state of Colorado. Hundreds of dogs are dumped here by “do-gooders” who want to take advantage of people who can’t let a cute dog face go by. These cute faces cause guilt and anger because people can’t say “NO”.
People are trapped in their homes and won’t go socialize with friends because they feel so sorry for their dogs being alone.
Dogs are in restaurants and grocery stores, which is illegal in my state. But it doesn’t matter because everyone’s dog is an exception.
Dogs in motels and hotels make me gag. I don’t want to be in a bed where a dog has wallowed.
Dog owners won’t clean up after their pets and destroy neighborhoods by letting dogs bark night and day.
I can’t find a place that won’t allow dogs. Fancy new home and condo sellers pander to dog owners, where their dogs will wreck a lawn and destroy a house. Not to mention the dog biting that we never hear about. Where in the world will it end?
In the Old Testament it was a golden calf, now it’s a golden retriever.
4 Alex // Apr 9, 2009 at 9:56 am
…yah, I’m with you on this commonsense thing. Sometimes I get the feel that the commercial world is run by a bunch of kids, I mean, the mindset of children, not that children shouldn’t have a say, let children speak to children; anyone in the know or that are commercial-wise are beyond the idiots that will put anything together to please some CEO working in a dark room, no pun intended. We need retail critiques, commercial critics, and a word or two about commonsense. Time to say goodbye to stupidity – wake up bright eyed high-tech world, for sure, yah, for sure.
5 Kathleen // Apr 9, 2009 at 9:58 am
Like 2o million other people, I heard the story on NPR this morning. I work in the grunt end of consumer products (apparel manufacturing) and of course I agree with the sentiments expressed on this morning’s show; *value* and quality is a constant running battle I have with the brand creators in our midst (sample http://bit.ly/CLdxH). I take a lot of heat for my opinions so obviously I think the validation is great. So magnanimous of me I know.
I have one complaint tho, your site design. Please, for the love of god, get rid of the snapshot widget! Sheer irony, it’s the web equivalent of a pet rock! Cutline is a great template to start with but it’s time to discard the pull-ups and move up to big boy pants. I used Ashwebstudio and was very pleased. There are some companies you should avoid (Unique Blog Designs comes to mind).
6 Dan // Apr 9, 2009 at 11:41 am
Hello. I also heard you on NPR.
As someone who makes local TV ads, I find your anti-consumerism refreshing. It’s nice to know someone else (at least *one* other someone) sees – and hates – the pap we’re exposed to everyday. I’ll be back, friend!
7 Jerod Poore // Apr 9, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I’m surprised you don’t have anything on this site about ‘retail entertainment.’
I used to work for DFS, before and after they became a subsidiary of LVMH. DFS was a pioneer of retail entertainment.
Retail entertainment: where shopping itself is not only a form of entertainment, but is a “lifestyle experience.” As far as DFS is concerned, that’s a /luxury/ lifestyle experience.
I wish I were making this up.
Just plug it into the Google. Retail entertainment DFS galleria lifestyle experience. With or without quotes around each two-word term and in variable sequences for some variety. You’ll find some incredible marketing & PR word salad about the concept.
8 Greg Levitt // Apr 9, 2009 at 3:39 pm
I heard your interview on NPR today. I thought it was great, especially what you said about Spirit Airlines.
I have a small company here in Colorado and we don’t spend much on marketing, instead we try to focus on putting a good product out (American made) for a good price and we hope that people will appreciate the value. I have to tell you that its frustrating to me when other companies tout their image as American, made in the USA, waving the flag etc…and really the only thing that is actually located in this country is the marketing machine driving that message.
Thanks for your work, I will be back to your site often!
9 Kaori // Apr 9, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Hi! I have heard your piece on NPR. I think some people who leave messages here are just hungry business people who in their opportunism consider this site just another marketing outlet. You think they would get the joke by now. Anyway, there is a guy in IL his name is Mr Monroe and he has been taking corporations to court for consumer fraud , one lawsuit at the time fighting nonsense that you describe in your interview. As I know him, he’s not in it for a money and I think NPR did interview him few months ago as “ethical terrorist.” You should check him out. His email is d2020man@yahoo.com. Good Luck.
10 Wayne Squillari // Jun 8, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I hear the author on NPR (I think that was the radio station) and decided get the book.
I had high hoped for this, but it quickly fizzled.
How many times can we read about the 10-for-1 deals?
Your only criticizm of CostCo was the membership fee. I save more than the fee in one visit.
Aside from making money with the coupons (kudos for that), if I can’t buy what I want to buy when I want to buy it, forget it.
I am quite careful with my money, and food buying is a great place to begin saving, but not your way. It’s too painful.
If you shop at Costco and Wal-Mart, you’ll be fine.
Finally, Wal-Mart is cheap. They don’t take deep discounts on certain items and then overcharge for the rest. WMT has saved me a lot of money.
11 admin // Jun 8, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Wayne,
I don’t know what book you read, but it sure as heck wasn’t mine.
12 Dave Rodgerson // Jul 15, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Hi Sam. As a former retailer who struggles with his past, I’m enjoying my read of Retail Anarchy. Thought you might enjoy the Dash Walmsly videos we created (see the website link). He’s a Retail “ExperiExpert”, (a so-called expert as you call them).
writing as an act of penance,
Dave
13 Sam // Sep 15, 2009 at 10:32 am
“Anarchy is a sweet word, but we all need furniture”
I’m not sure how you would interpret this lyric from the song “Anarchy” by Nobody Can Dance or whether you would agree, but I thought it was relevant to retail anarchy, since it has to do with the appeal of anarchy vs. actual economic practicality.
14 JOHN RIZOLI // Apr 24, 2010 at 9:54 am
We have to talk. I mean We really have to talk. I read your book and very much like the sort or sarcastic tone you use to prove a point. I have been entertaining an idea about a book whose time has come. I want to do it in a new format. I want you to work with me…We have to talk. Either I am just another ….whatever….or …..We need to talk.
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