We’ve all seen commercials and magazine ads with beautiful famous people using their charms, good looks and famousness, to help sell products. I ask you dear readers, does this strategy really work?
For me personally, it doesn’t. I’m not going to buy Aveno products because the always gorgeous Jennifer Aniston claims to use them. (Although she doesn’t seem to age so maybe there’s something to those products.) Nor am I going to buy a Lincoln even though the very talented Matthew McConaughey purportedly drives one. (Although I do love those ads. Who doesn’t really?)
On the contrary, I might be inclined to purchase a product despite the fact that some celebrity I don’t care for endorses it. Let’s use Gary Busey as an example. No, I am not a fan.
Hillary Clinton used this tactic in her election campaign. I’ve got to wonder if she really thought having Beyonce and JayZ publicly announce their support of her in such an in-your-face way would boost her ratings. I’m not saying it didn’t, I’m just wondering how effective that really was. No question, Beyonce is one of the most beautiful women on this planet (in my opinion), but do I really care what her political affiliation is? No. For me she’s an entertainer-period. I don’t care where she shops, who does her hair, what her car insurance is. (Like I could afford those things anyway.)
I know for celebrities, it’s all about making money. I’m not convinced most of the celebrities have even tried the product they’re endorsing. And, quite frankly, it doesn’t matter. I buy stuff based on what the stuff’s got in it, or supposed to do, not who else is supposedly using it. If Beyonce or Gary Busey happen to use the same products I do, then bully for them. See how that works?
Do celebrity spokespeople have an impact? They must, because we keep seeing them in millions of ad campaigns. But let’s consider the opposite scenario: who doesn’t know Flo the Geico Insurance girl? I love Flo. I have no idea who that woman is, nor have I ever seen her anywhere else. She’s a nobody, but she’s effective. (People know her now of course.) That’s good advertising. And no, I do not have Geico insurance, despite the fact that I love Flo.
And the energizer bunny or the Geico gecko, who’s not familiar with those icons? Yet those ads are very memorable. No celebrity needed. Again, I ask, do celebrity endorsements work? I don’t know. You tell me.
Do you have a favorite TV commercial? Are you inclined to choose a product or service because of a celebrity endorsement? Would you NOT buy a product because of a celebrity endorsement? Inquiring minds want to know.
Word of the day: Paramatta
Fun fact about me: I once shot a training video (a commercial of sorts) for an upstart company selling portable defibrillators. Now that you know, will you go buy one?
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, December 2016. Photos courtesy Google Images.
jansenschmidt 
I am not fond of the Matthew M Lincoln commercials – especially the bull one because it mostly bull stuff. You know what I mean. As for the defibrillator, hopefully I won’t need one. I personally think Lilly in the ATT commercials is cute – but that’s sort of like Matt M and Lincolns. I miss the Budweiser frogs, just sayin’.
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Oh my gosh, the Budweiser frogs – they were awesome. Budweiser does a good job with their Clydesdales and puppies. Who can resist right? Yet, I despise Budweiser beer.
And, I’m glad you won’t be needing a defibrillator any time soon. Let’s keep it that way.
As always, thanks for stopping by. Have a great week!
Patricia
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Nope, a celebrity can’t inspire me to buy anything…although I do love that particular Jaguar commercial, The Art of Villainy, with all the spiffy English actors (i.e. Tom Hiddleston and Mark Strong). That’s a good one.
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TV ads can be entertaining, but I’ve never been persuaded to buy a product because of the endorsement. I guess, if nothing else, the celebrity makes the product memorable.
Have a wonderful week.
Patricia
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I don’t care for the Lincoln commercials, and had no idea that was McConaghey (who I neither like nor dislike). Celebrity endorsements do nothing for me, especially when it comes to politics. As you noted, they’re just entertainers. A celebrity I dislike might make me less inclined to buy. My favorite? From years ago, the T-Mobile commercial where the guy kept butt-dialing his wife/girlfriend!
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I like how some commercials stand out in our minds for years and years. I can remember some jingles from way back. Yet, the endorsement has no influence on whether or not I buy a product.
Have a fantastic week. I hope you’re enjoying your new kitchen.
Patricia
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I’m probably a-typical. I wouldn’t even recognize many celebrities these days. John Wayne, Dean Martin, Patsy Cline, maybe – but they didn’t cheapen themselves by hawking products anyhow. The only time an ad affects my buying habits is if it is showing a sale on some item I already wanted or needed.
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I can’t say as I’ve ever seen any TV commercials featuring John Wayne, Dean Martin or Patsy Cline, but that’s not to say there weren’t any. I only remember those guys singing or making great western movies. You’re right, they didn’t cheapen themselves.
You’re right for only buying something you already had an interest in or needed. I’m pretty sure that’s how most folks do it.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great rest of the week.
Patricia
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