Commercials that air too often

Happy Wednesday to you all! It’s a beautiful day where I’m camping (future posts coming) and I’m sitting at a picnic table. A cool breeze, birds chirping, and I’m NOT watching TV commercials. Of course, I may watch a few tonight if I happen to turn on the college women’s softball World Series, but for now, nope! Even still, though, I wanted to write about commercials. I guess I’m obsessed? Maybe I need a therapist. While I ponder that, take a look at this ad you’ve probably become familiar with already…

Amazon’s Mustache Woman Commmercial

If you haven’t seen it, you’re one of three people in the world, and the other two are in outer space so they don’t even count. After I posted my blog about the ad, I noticed people mostly commented about the actress, the music, or more often about their annoyance with the ad airing entirely too often. So often that people said they’d change the channel as soon as it came on TV. Then I started to wonder how much is too much? It’s a question of critical importance to every ad executive. The ideal scenario is an ad that airs just enough to pique the interest of consumers and then it catches on through social media, Youtube, etc., leading to what the company hopes for… profit. On the other hand, an ad that doesn’t air enough or airs too much brings about negative results. Little to no profit because of lack of exposure, or overexposure. Neither is good for the company or for viewers.

An example of having a good amount of ads without overdoing it is Flo and Jamie with Progressive. A delicate balance of humor, new commercials, peppered with the boring info (insurance rates and coverage) seems to be working for them quite well. An example of overdoing it might be Amazon last year. They had a series of ads about Greek mythology and some viewers were unhappy with the amount of airings of the various commercials.

Then there’s Bud Light. They took a chance with an ad through social media. From their side of things, very inexpensive with the possibility of a huge payoff. It’s probably worth applauding their willingness to risk. Sometimes good things happen. This wasn’t one of those times. Just one single video. Unfortunately, the brief campaign blew up and not in the way they were hoping. I’m sure you know the details by now but needless to say, they’ve provided a great example to every other company and upcoming ad agencies of what NOT to do.

Do you have examples of commercials airing too often? Let out all your frustration in the comments below.

-Out of the Wilderness

Bravery for the right reasons

There’s a song that’s always makes me laugh, not because of the song itself, though. When it came out, it was celebrated as an anthem for all of us.

But the truth is, especially in politics or religion, people don’t want to see you be brave unless it’s for “for the right cause.” Half the country doesn’t care that you’re standing up for what you believe in, which is often brave. But if you’re doing it for their side, then (and only then) is it brave.

Admiration for your bravery is conditional.

As inspirational as the song lyrics intend to be, I can’t ever take the song seriously, at least not in 2023. It’s unfortunate because the sentiment is great. It’s just not realistic in 2023. People only want you to be brave if what you’re being brave for lines up with what they believe to be true. It’s not bravery for bravery’s sake.

-Out of the Wilderness

A must-see tour featuring two great bands

Last year I went on a camping trip from Florida out to Texas and Oklahoma (check recaps here). Part of my adventures included catching a band in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was a great show by Judah and the Lion and later this year they’re touring again, this time with one of my all-time favorite bands, Needtobreathe.

I don’t have a ticket yet but I can definitely foresee a camping trip in whatever city is close by and the dates work out. Judah and the Lion was a great show in Oklahoma, I was thoroughly entertained. I’ve seen Needtobreathe before in a very stripped down performance many moons ago when they were promoting a new album or something. But to see them perform a full concert would just be amazing. They have so many songs I like!

Have you seen either of these bands yet? If so, comment below with your experience. I’ll update if or when I get a ticket!

-Out of the Wilderness

Another sprint triathlon, am I crazy?

After a disastrous swim during my first ever sprint triathlon, I thought I’d never embarrass myself that way again. Y’all, my swimming was so bad I can’t even accurately describe it with words. Here’s how I thought I’d do and how I really did…

There were bystanders (friends, family of athletes) watching from the lakeshore and I can’t shake the thought that they must’ve been laughing their heads off at the guy swimming in all the directions. I was fine with the biking and the running. Even if I wasn’t fast, at least I was going in the right direction! Plus, my bike has a bell so I mean, yeah, that’s awesome.

Unfortunately, my competitive side has struck again. There’s another sprint triathlon coming up in about a month and my brother-in-law and I decided to sign up. He also did the last one with me, but he didn’t draw attention to himself the way I did with the embarrassing swimming. Did I mention I’m a bad swimmer yet?

So here we go again! Will I have another bad swim or have things changed? Can I improve my speed on my awesome 1970s bicycle? Can I run a little faster this time? So many questions and I’ll have answers 4 weeks from now. Wish me luck and if you happen to be watching or participating in a sprint triathlon anytime soon and you see a guy swimming haphazardly, won’t you be a kind person and point me in the right direction?

-Out of the Wilderness

Summer Birds and Nature Pictures

Summer is in full swing and it’s never more apparent than when I spend time on the near water. Whether it’s oceans, lakes, or rivers, aquatic life and birds are out and about in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from wet areas in the southeast…

-Out of the Wilderness