Have you Enjoyed Your Go Lately
By Bob Branco
Just think back to when you were growing up. I’m sure that when you watched television or listened to the radio, you heard commercials about quality cleaning products, sparkling soft drinks, remedies for the common cold, and other basic products which made you and your home look and feel good. The message conveyed by these advertisers was very clear. Usually, we paid attention and considered buying those products for ourselves.
As the years went by, advertising became quite bold. Some of today’s messages leave me with my mouth open and my head down. I would like to talk about a specific television commercial which makes me wonder if professional advertisers are overdoing it a bit. The ad is for Charmin bathroom tissue. Charmin has been around for decades, and in the past, the message was quite clear. We were constantly told, “Don’t squeeze the Charmin,” because the tissue is very soft.
Recently, the ads for Charmin bathroom tissue have been embellished. One such commercial encourages us to “enjoy the go”! In my 59 years, I have witnessed many changes in the way things are done and how they are said. However, despite my amazement over what’s happening in today’s society, I never thought I would see the day when a professional advertiser would encourage us to enjoy our bowel movements. The ad says it very clearly: “Why not enjoy the go?” Has Charmin gotten so desperate for a different kind of marketing strategy that it is willing to say anything it wants to in order to make the point, no matter how graphic it is?
When I hear this strange commercial about how we should enjoy the go, I am thankful that I am not eating while it’s on, otherwise my food would likely come out the end that Charmin isn’t referring to. Many of us already avoid listening to television and radio commercials as it is. Why make it worse by advertising in a rather suggestive manner? Is Charmin implying that we need to enjoy our go in anticipation of using their product? It sounds like it to me.
On the other hand, someone recently made a very good point about why advertisers such as Charmin have gotten so bold with their commercial ads. Just the fact that I am criticizing this ad means that Charmin got my attention. This is what they wanted, so hurray for Charmin. Nonetheless, I advise that you not eat during this commercial.
