I'm a geezer. TV, radio and print advertising is aimed at people who are much younger than I. I have far more money to spend than they do, but in today's attitudes, only the young are malleable enough to be a good target for these persuasive messages, which cost money. I am assumed to be set in my buying habits and unwilling to be swayed by their efforts to convince me to change to their superior products and services. In other words, the advertisers believe me to be too wise to fall for their malarkey.

Recently, I've noticed an interesting trend in advertising for highly competitive markets like cell phone carriers (this is where non-USA forum members might become confused, because carriers, not manufacturers, try to lure in customers). In an aim to be humorous in their ads, they often undercut the desirability of their product/service. Cell phone carriers offer such wonderful phones and services, people are throwing phones off stuck skilifts. Jell-o offers ads with Jokeresque smiles on people who have recently eaten their product. They might be funny, but they fail in making me or my children (or their children) want to own the product or to use the service.

If (which I doubt) anyone follows my posts, then you might know I have given up going to movie theaters for many years. Except for a Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter or Toy Story film, I try to avoid going to theaters. Yes, in-theater cell phone use is one cause of this. Talking, walking in front of me, kicking the back of my chair (repeatedly), the price of popcorn, and my need to use a restroom more often affect this decision.

I receive many emails trying to sell me goods and services. On the internet, no one knows if I am young or a dog. Today I received an email from Universal Pictures. Once you read the headline (if you have managed to read this far), you will understand why their ad fails. The email headline is "Fast Five - Go See the #1 Movie in the World." Sure. I'll go to a movie theater (which I've avoided since "Finding Neverland") to see a film in the most crowded theater imaginable. Sounds like something I'd like! (Sarcasm is difficult, isn't it?)

I've fired my shot. Please tell me I'm right or wrong. I hope to chime in with more geezer opinions.

I don't consider myself an old geezer (in my early 30s) but I agree. Movie theater visits for me are limited to maybe 3 or 4 times a year. I'm lucky in my job that I have flexible hours and can go at random times...like 1 or 2 in the afternoon on a weekday when you don't get a lot of people. I also wait a while before going so there are fewer people there. I've often been in theaters where there is maybe one or two other people there. People are rude and inconsiderate and often don't think. I get a cheaper, nicer experience in front of my own tv with my own popcorn or other snack than I would in a theater.

As for phone...about a year ago I went into the store. You should have seen the guy's expression when I told him I wanted a phone to be a phone and didn't need to text or email someone 24/7. I still ended up with a phone that has a data plan because it's almost impossible not to. I agree that technology today is not built to last. But yet, I still expect that when I dole out my money for something, that it should last for more than a couple months. Silly me, huh?

I ditched my TV over 3 years ago. Whenever i'm at someone elses house and they watch TV, the majority of commercials strike as their made for really really stupid and simple people. Its like their not trying to sell a product because its good, their trying to brainwash to think a shiitake mushroomty product is good.

I went to the "downtown" theater in Grass Valley to see Antonioni's "Blow-Up." It was summer, and I had most every day free. I went on a Thursday afternoon, as I recall. Turned out, that except for the ticket taker, the girl behind the candy counter, the projectionist and an usher... I was the only one in the theater. Nice seat, no distractions. 45 years later I still remember that day.

I've worked in advertising nearly my entire life... in newspapers, creative director at Sacramento's largest agency, owned two agencies myself. I just do not understand making the client's product/service seem like it would annoy you and cause you problems as a means to try to sell it.