This post title was the same as the title in a tv blog Iread. Of course I clicked just to see a Wardrobe Malfunction, or something. Turns out it was just Chris Parnell, in his “30 Rock” character of Dr. Spaceman, pitching Dr. Pepper.
Guess what? TV’s already Been There, Done That. In the the pre-historic time of the Golden Age Of Radio advertising agencies bought the hour, or half-hour, or 15 minutes, and delivered a show. The talent answered to the agency, not the network. The move toward just buying “spots” instead of sponsorships began in the 50’s, but there was still plenty of the Old School Style into the 60’s, even in a modern suburban home in New Rochelle.
Advertisers knew then that it’s good to stand out. They still do. Now it’s easy to skip spots with one touch of the DVR. So we’re back to advertising that you watch because of the content, not just “because it’s on TV.” Everything starts with content. But at the end of the day, someone’s gotta pay for it. It’s always been that way. Wiki defines “patronage” as the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to artists. I’d rather have my patronage come from Dr. Pepper. I want competing patrons. There’s more than one soft drink. There’s only one king.
And there’s only one King Of Beers! Roll it!
Never miss me! Subscribe for free. My Huge Radar has real-time weather tracking, current temperatures, and severe weather watches and warnings. Get detailed Indiana conditions by clicking here. Click here to see my central Indiana 7-Day Forecast. Follow these links to get my forecasts for Lafayette, Muncie, Hendricks County, and Hamilton County. Need a second opinion? Click here for central Indiana National Weather Service forecasts. (Some charts via WeatherBELL.)