Have you been watching the NCAA basketball games? Have you noticed the names of the arenas where they are being held? Places with names like the "US Airways Center", the "KFC Yum! Center", the "Edward Jones Dome", and the "Mercedes-Benz Superdome". Have you noticed the scrolling advertisements along the front of the announcer's table that is visually prominent as the players travel (which is never called anymore) from one end of the court to the other? From the logos on the players' uniforms, to the "Gatorade" drink dispenser court-side, to the swoosh on the sneakers, to the halftime show sponsored by "Mayhem", the All-State Insurance mascot du jour, modern-day Mad Men are part of what puts the "mad" in March Madness for me.
We are bombarded with advertisements each and every day. Some are easy to ignore-(the ads that appear on the right-hand side of Facebook, for example). Some are impossible to ignore-(the ads that come with the apps you download, free or paid!). Some are subtle-(the car or drink that the hero in that new movie just happens to be using). Some are entertaining so we look forward to them (Superbowl ads). Some we dread seeing or hearing ("Head-on. Apply directly to the forehead..." or "Mattresses and mattresses and mattresses and mattresses...") Some advertisements we actually participate in (carrying that cup of Starbucks or the designer hand-bag with the recognizable pattern). Advertising is as ubiquitous as oxygen.
How long has this been going on??
Other than that which appeared as the logo of the product on the actual product, early advertising efforts centered largely on outdoor displays. Examples of outdoor advertising appeared in England as early as the 18th century. Soon thereafter, the practice emigrated to New England, where announcements for lotteries could be found posted on trees and fences. By the early 19th century, circuses, patent medicine makers and clothing manufacturers were large-scale users of outdoor advertising, painting product logos and information on large boulders, fences, and the sides of buildings. In 1830, the first traveling advertisement was created when a delivery wagon in New York City was painted with the logo of the product it was carrying. Look at any old photo of any major city, and you will see advertisements plastered on lamp-posts, buildings, and vehicles of all sizes and shapes. You may even find a human-being wearing a 'sandwich board'.
By 1850, cities were so over-run with outdoor advertisements that many newspapers began to condemn the practice. (Possibly because these 'free' advertising spots were costing them ad revenue?). In an effort to avoid the clutter of inner-city advertisements, the savvy businessman P.T. Barnum began to paint brightly colored ads for his traveling circus outside of city limits, sometimes as far as 50 miles away. Taking advantage of large cliffs, boulders, the sides of barns, etc. these ads, for which the farmer or land-owner might be reimbursed with tickets to an event or a sample of the product being featured, were the pre-cursor to the modern billboard.
During the Civil War years, federal and state governments were one of the most prominent outdoor advertisers with their use of military recruitment posters.
In 1870, the first 'national painting service' was created, and it quickly gained a reputation for being able to paint signs on rocks and other places that most people considered inaccessible. An ad for St. Jacob's Oil which appeared on a rock at Niagara Falls, and an ad for Drake's Plantation Bitters that appeared on the rocks of New Hampshire's White Mountains proved to be the final straw, causing public out-cry that could not be ignored.
SO... on this day in history, March 28th, 1865, the state of New York passed legislation to prohibit "painting on stones, rocks and trees." New Hampshire and other states followed suit.
Yet, as of today, only 4 states prohibit outdoor billboards: Maine, Vermont, Alaska and Hawaii! (A few states are currently considering legislation to regulate "electronic" billboards whose images change every few seconds, but only due to concerns over traffic safety.) Billboards are one of the first things I notice when I travel outside of Maine. After suffering the visual assault of billboards in other states, I am always more appreciative of the monotonous view of pine-trees between exits on I-95.
Thankfully, "outdoor life" is still less tainted by advertising than "indoor life". It's good to know that when you get tired of pop-ups, telemarketers calling, political ads, junk mail, etc., you can just head outside and find some natural beauty. (Sponsored by God)
As I conclude this week's message, (my own little form of advertising), I invite you to check out the new Piece of the Week. Wear these and the only thing you'll be advertising is your own excellent taste! http://www.twowillowsjewelry.com
Until next week--
Kim
PS---As of this month, I am accepting VISA, Mastercard and Discover! Checks and cash are still preferred since I don't get hit with a transaction fee and want to be able to keep my prices low, but if a credit or debit card is more convenient for you, feel free to use it!!
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