Why Adiocracy
Advertising is the poppiest of pop culture. No matter where it lives, its goal is to heighten the mundane in the sense that, almost always, advertising’s greatest competition is not other brands, it’s inertia. There’s just way too much stuff to buy and eat, too many places to go to, too many causes to support, and a mind-numbingly vast amount of messaging pelting us on their behalf.
Lucky for advertisers, people are easy. They don’t mind being pitched, being presented a promise, a little magic, a little funny or a little romance. The winning equation is simple, really. Be relevant, be authentic, be compelling. If an advertiser offers up something novel, points out a simple truth, makes people laugh when they’re not expecting to, or stops them for a moment with a touch of beauty, poetry or bare-knuckled honesty, there’s a decent chance they’ll listen, even remember. Maybe even act.
All consumers really ask is that their time not be wasted. ‘Pitch away,’ they say, ‘just don’t pretend to be something you’re not or to be more important than you are. Don’t hype crap that doesn’t work and don’t speak to us like morons.’ Perhaps this is too much to ask of our politicians, but Adiocracy believes it’s not too much to ask of our toilet tissue or, call us crazy, our mortgage lenders.
Adiocracy’s goal is to hold a mirror up to advertising — most pervasive form of popular culture — and point out what connects, what doesn’t, and why. And if that means pulling down some pants in the process and giving a few well-deserved wedgies, then so be it.
To do this, we believe the discussion should be open to all. The ad world needs a healthy does of democracy. Which is why we encourage ideas from our entire community and openly seek reviews from anyone that is lovin or buggin on a piece of communication. To learn how, go to ‘How To Review or Send an Ad’ page).
While our community is made up primarily of folks in the ad biz as well as advertising students, we gladly welcome smart perspectives from wherever they come.
In any way you participate, thanks for being part of the Adiocracy community.
Simon
