Comments on: Truth in “my bad” eco advertising http://greenlagirl.com/truth-in-my-bad-eco-advertising/ Urban environmental lifestyle blog in Los Angeles Tue, 22 May 2012 01:46:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Siel http://greenlagirl.com/truth-in-my-bad-eco-advertising/comment-page-1/#comment-10893 Siel Thu, 17 Aug 2006 05:01:38 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/08/14/truth-in-my-bad-eco-advertising/#comment-10893 Maybe you're right, Groby -- I worked for a PR firm that was bought by an ad firm (Y&R) soon after I left -- This was back in '99... Damn, I'm getting old! It's an odd issue -- Nick -- I like what you're sayin' -- but also have to say I just don't feel that optimistic. I feel I'm in an odd, odd divide. On the one hand, I feel that -- because of current laws -- I should applaud any sorta effort that corps take that seem to give a nod to enviro issues. On the other hand, I think, dude, the peeps running these corps are big boys. Why should I congratulate their taking a super small, super belated baby step? Maybe you’re right, Groby — I worked for a PR firm that was bought by an ad firm (Y&R) soon after I left — This was back in ’99… Damn, I’m getting old!

It’s an odd issue — Nick — I like what you’re sayin’ — but also have to say I just don’t feel that optimistic.

I feel I’m in an odd, odd divide. On the one hand, I feel that — because of current laws — I should applaud any sorta effort that corps take that seem to give a nod to enviro issues.

On the other hand, I think, dude, the peeps running these corps are big boys. Why should I congratulate their taking a super small, super belated baby step?

]]> By: Robert 'Groby' Blum http://greenlagirl.com/truth-in-my-bad-eco-advertising/comment-page-1/#comment-10834 Robert 'Groby' Blum Wed, 16 Aug 2006 17:13:56 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/08/14/truth-in-my-bad-eco-advertising/#comment-10834 WF *sells* it as an ethical issue. I'm am fairly certain that somebody did the math and said: "OK, it's going to cost this much. It'll also generate good publicity, which would've cost that much in advertising. Seems like a win. And if it isn't, we can always jack prices - there's a reason we're called Whole Paycheck" I might be cynical. Then again, I used to work for an ad agency... WF *sells* it as an ethical issue. I’m am fairly certain that somebody did the math and said: “OK, it’s going to cost this much. It’ll also generate good publicity, which would’ve cost that much in advertising. Seems like a win. And if it isn’t, we can always jack prices – there’s a reason we’re called Whole Paycheck”

I might be cynical. Then again, I used to work for an ad agency…

]]> By: Nick Aster http://greenlagirl.com/truth-in-my-bad-eco-advertising/comment-page-1/#comment-10797 Nick Aster Wed, 16 Aug 2006 07:47:29 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/08/14/truth-in-my-bad-eco-advertising/#comment-10797 Well said. I still give Ford at least some benefit of the doubt. At least they're doing *something*. They're not really, truly, changing yet, but they have definitely taken the first step. The question is - are they just so much of a dinosaur that they *still* have to hide behind a costly advertising campaign to think they're being "open"? And will this keep them mired till their death? That said, I think they are more open than they've ever been, and if we give them the straight critique, there's a chance they'll start to hear it. Will it be too late for them and us? Hopefully not! Well said. I still give Ford at least some benefit of the doubt. At least they’re doing *something*. They’re not really, truly, changing yet, but they have definitely taken the first step. The question is – are they just so much of a dinosaur that they *still* have to hide behind a costly advertising campaign to think they’re being “open”? And will this keep them mired till their death? That said, I think they are more open than they’ve ever been, and if we give them the straight critique, there’s a chance they’ll start to hear it. Will it be too late for them and us? Hopefully not!

]]> By: Siel http://greenlagirl.com/truth-in-my-bad-eco-advertising/comment-page-1/#comment-10792 Siel Wed, 16 Aug 2006 05:38:52 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/08/14/truth-in-my-bad-eco-advertising/#comment-10792 But I'm v. much aware that, on paper, corps are supposed to make decisions based on what'll make the most money for their shareholders. At the same time, it's pretty clear that there's a lot of leeway in terms of the direction that even publicly traded companies are allowed to take. Take Whole Foods, for ex. This company just got rid of live lobsters. While there are other changes I'd like WF to make, getting rid of live lobsters was touted NOT as a money-making issue, but as an ethical issue. Perhaps more specifically, an ethical issue WF's consumers cared about. Which is to say that Ford could say global warming / environmental issues is something that's a prob that needs to be addressed, esp. since customers feel it's an issue that needs to be addressed. But instead of addressing that issue directly, Ford's simply saying that customers want vehicles with higher MPGs... But I’m v. much aware that, on paper, corps are supposed to make decisions based on what’ll make the most money for their shareholders. At the same time, it’s pretty clear that there’s a lot of leeway in terms of the direction that even publicly traded companies are allowed to take.

Take Whole Foods, for ex. This company just got rid of live lobsters. While there are other changes I’d like WF to make, getting rid of live lobsters was touted NOT as a money-making issue, but as an ethical issue. Perhaps more specifically, an ethical issue WF’s consumers cared about.

Which is to say that Ford could say global warming / environmental issues is something that’s a prob that needs to be addressed, esp. since customers feel it’s an issue that needs to be addressed. But instead of addressing that issue directly, Ford’s simply saying that customers want vehicles with higher MPGs…

]]> By: James http://greenlagirl.com/truth-in-my-bad-eco-advertising/comment-page-1/#comment-10771 James Tue, 15 Aug 2006 20:58:02 +0000 http://greenlagirl.com/2006/08/14/truth-in-my-bad-eco-advertising/#comment-10771 Groby summed it up well. Ford will only stop making large SUV’s and inefficient sports cars only when the market for those products no longer exists. Sure they will design some products going forward that they can refer to as environmentally friendly. That way they can have their cake and eat it too. They would love to sell you a fuel-efficient vehicle that they can tout as eco friendly while supplying a completely different segment of the market with a steady stream of Mustangs and Explorers. Automobile manufacturers do not car about pollution any more than they care about the fatalities caused by their products (40,000 a year in the US alone). Change will only come about when the market drives it. I just hope that high fuel prices can speed that process up a bit. Groby summed it up well. Ford will only stop making large SUV’s and inefficient sports cars only when the market for those products no longer exists. Sure they will design some products going forward that they can refer to as environmentally friendly. That way they can have their cake and eat it too. They would love to sell you a fuel-efficient vehicle that they can tout as eco friendly while supplying a completely different segment of the market with a steady stream of Mustangs and Explorers. Automobile manufacturers do not car about pollution any more than they care about the fatalities caused by their products (40,000 a year in the US alone). Change will only come about when the market drives it. I just hope that high fuel prices can speed that process up a bit.

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