Let’s face it, market targeting, advertising and media are a lifeblood of this economy. Branding, product loyalty and identity, the advertising community has been brilliant with this ploy. It starts at childhood, they get those hooks into us and reel us in. It has gotten so that some people have never known what it is like to be free from the relentless pursuit of our money. In some ways we are defenseless, the subtle branding practices are designed to make sure that your product loyalty icon is never far from sight. Advertising consultants know your habits and your media. The way I see it, our only power is in the purchasing power of our money. I see real progressive movement only when we have been able to use our buying or lack of buying as a weapon. So I propose that we start boycotting any media that jumps on the Benghazi band wagon.
Our household started this immediately. It wasn’t hard to recognize the signs, full blown hysteria is about to erupt. What we’ve seen so far is crickets. You know it, I know it, we’ve been down this road way too many times. Just turn any mention of Benghazi off immediately. Don’t listen, don’t respond, don’t defend, don’t agonize. Just off. OFF!!! Doesn’t have to be forever, although it can be forever. Now comes the good part. Find out who advertises on that station. Big names, local big names, you know the drill. Call, email, write and tell them you are turning off that media.Tell them why. It is because that media keeps broadcasting Benghazi. Tell them it is certainly irrational. Tell them it makes no sense as they obviously are not responsible for the programming. Not the point, people!!! The point is we are not going to listen/watch this. And if you all keep advertising on this media, then we are not going to see your brand icons. We will soon forget about you.
Now I know the boohoo crowd will start on about how boycotts only hurt the little people. Of course we are talking friendly media too. PBS is now gone from my household. Yeah, things only seem to get done when there is a world of hurt. It is an unfortunate consequence that the big guys seem to be able to roll with these punches. Looking closely, the cracks are starting to appear. I’m thinking we need to keep the pressure up. This is such a doable thing, people. You hear or see the word Benghazi and the media goes off!!! You decide how long it stays off. Then you tell those advertisers that you didn’t see their ads, and every time you hear/see the word Benghazi, poof, media goes off!! Not seeing ads!!! We don’t want to hear it. Not that hard.