One Nation Under [Wintour]

Condé Nast announced last Wednesday that Anna Wintour, Vogue's Editor in Chief for the past 25 years, is taking on the additional role of artistic director of the company. It has been confirmed that Wintour will maintain her position at Vogue while joining forces with Condé Nast, making her one of the most influential people in the advertising world.

It was speculated that Wintour, who worked intimately on the 2012 Obama re-election campaign, would become ambassador to Great Britain. Though she expressed no disappointment when the position was filled by another, it is interesting to consider the impact of Wintour's clear political convictions as she fortifies her position of influence in popular culture.

Granted, it's not statistically deviant that Wintour; a highly educated, accomplished and ambitious 63 year old fashionista can be found leftward in the political spectrum. However, the fact that she is both actively and dynamically involved in the political process speaks volumes. The assumption of Wintour into Condé Nast's executive ranks widens her already colossal cultural influence. With her newly acquired access to the likes of Vanity Fair, GQ, Glamour and Architectural Digest under the scope of Condé Nast, Wintour has exponentially expanded her possible audience. Now, this is not to suggest that Wintour intends manipulate audiences as a sort of conspiracy to liberalize all magazine reading America. I mean, if you're reading GQ, it's just as likely you support Barack just as vehemently as you do Cole Haan. More of what I'm trying to get at here is that, perhaps, with a fatally polarized state of American society, could magazines make a difference? If a new culture could be cultivated, would we start seeing more eye to eye? Maybe, maybe not. Regardless, perhaps our current trajectory will land us in a nation under God... and Anna Wintour.  

New York Times feature article on Wintour's new role at Condé Nast : 
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/business/media/conde-nast-creates-new-job-for-anna-wintour.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

Vice vs. Virtue in the Duck Dynasty

Duck Commander? Hillbilly millionaires? Flowing beards and neglectful hygienics? 

I am confused. But I like it. 

Duck Dynasty is A&E's most watched show of all time. Not that A&E is my go-to network, but 8.6 million viewers, for a show about this, is not something that should go unrecognized. 

As the most watched show for A18-49 on television, Duck Dynasty now sits atop the throne of most sought after ad time there is. I guess one could wonder what got Duck Dynasty to the top of the ratings list, but that would require an analysis of the profoundly demented American brain. (Including my own.) Some people may ask, "why?" and our response to them is "why not?" You could tune in and relish in the mind numbing pointlessness... or you could read a book, contemplate the future of the globalization.. paint your nails. Whatever virtuous things people do these days. 

We live in an era of complete polarization in all matters of life; from politics to reality television and back again. Some find their purpose in advocacy work, others in civil protest, the rest of us... Duck Dynasty. Sad? Yes. True? Undeniable. 

 Either way, it's on tonight at 10pm. 

Pardon Me,

The Grey Poupon trademark phrase has made an official comeback nearly 25 years since it first aired. The relaunch of the commercial, which is strikingly similar to the original, stirred a lot of positive feedback from audiences during the Superbowl. And for good reason.

If advertising is entirely about generating likability, the makers of Grey Poupon do a damn good job. The commercial is simple and understated but still funny as hell. Who doesn't like someone that's able to laugh at themselves? It's the same idea that contributes to the success of this commercial. Grey Poupon is that curiously manicured, Upper West Side prep school p that you would definitely not want to hangout with... except he's fucking hilarious. That's the idea.

Grey Poupon has generated a likable and relevant persona that does not go out of style. It's the polo-playing Brit that every American loves to hate, and it's perfect. But of course.

Ad Agencies Love the Shake

Shareen Pathak's writes Ad Age dated February 15th criticizes ad agencies getting in on this "played-out" meme as she laments, "Our only hope is that everyone is fully and truly getting the meme out of their systems. Shake it off people, please. We don't want to write about this ever again." 

A little bitter, don't you think?  

Though I sympathize with the inescapable frustration of played-out fads, like Uggs or any Maroon 5 song, Pathak has it wrong on this one. 

The Harlem Shake is viral because it is completely ridiculous. "Why is that guy humping a tricycle? In a leotard?..." Is a more common thought than you may think. Ad Agencies putting their own spin on this meme shows that they not only are in touch with what is permeating every social network, but that they get it. An account executive pole dancing with an astronaut helmet on says more than just "I have marital issues."  

In a time in our culture defined by idolatry, materialism, apathy and disparity; why wouldn't you dance like a complete idiot? Seems, to me, at least, that there isn't much to lose. 

Pathak needs to lighten up a bit. Maybe she should try the shake every once in awhile; couldn't hurt, right?  

Enjoy. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGR6SXazeEI  

Pathak's article:http://adage.com/article/adages/60-ad-agencies-harlem-shake-videos/239852/