Television commercials have changed over the years. We used to sing jingles that ingrained products in our minds. Some we will never forget: “I’d love to be an Oscar Mayer wiener…,” “See the US
A in your Chevrolet…,” “You can trust your car to the man who wears the s
tar, the big, bright Texaco star…,” “Mr. Clean gets rid of dirt and grime and grease in just a minute…,” “My bologna has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R…,” and many more. What happened to other old favorites: Snap, Crackle, and Pop, Tony the Tiger, and Mr. Whipple? Who is keeping people from squeezing the Charmin?
It is obvious that companies now are vigorously marketing to the baby boomers. Jingles are no longer the common medium. Instead, actors and actresses portray persons who supposedly have used products to solve or cure a multitude of problems, including loneliness. Advertisements for senior dating services must be the last resort for desperate women. With the uneven proportion of elderly men to elderly women today, each man could have a harem! Many commercials feature investments, banks, insurance, vacations, vehicles, and other high dollar items because baby boomers and seniors have money to spend. We are prone to develop health issues as we age, and pharmaceutical companies are willing to help (and make a profit in the process). There are pills for everything: arthritis, cholesterol, insomnia, diarrhea, constipation, headache, acid reflux, restless leg syndrome, etc. Commercials (usually featuring a man about 40 years old) for male enhancement products and medications are aired so frequently that one might assume there’s nothing else to do after retirement! Based on the number of commercials for beauty products, we must all be searching for a younger look. Advertisements (featuring women about 20 years old) abound for hair coloring, skin creams, shampoos, and make up. We may as well give up. Ponce de Leon didn’t find the fountain of youth, and neither will we.
Even commercials for pet products, particularly dog and cat food and 
animal treats, are becoming popular because pets are supposed to be good companions for older people. One of the most interesting I have seen is for Pedigree + Healthy Digestion dog food. The sales pitch of the “talking Chihuahua” in this commercial is, “My food promotes optimum stool quality. Now, I’m not just a good pooper but an optimum one….” If this is a sign of things to come, “Calgon, take me away.”
A in your Chevrolet…,” “You can trust your car to the man who wears the s
tar, the big, bright Texaco star…,” “Mr. Clean gets rid of dirt and grime and grease in just a minute…,” “My bologna has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R…,” and many more. What happened to other old favorites: Snap, Crackle, and Pop, Tony the Tiger, and Mr. Whipple? Who is keeping people from squeezing the Charmin?It is obvious that companies now are vigorously marketing to the baby boomers. Jingles are no longer the common medium. Instead, actors and actresses portray persons who supposedly have used products to solve or cure a multitude of problems, including loneliness. Advertisements for senior dating services must be the last resort for desperate women. With the uneven proportion of elderly men to elderly women today, each man could have a harem! Many commercials feature investments, banks, insurance, vacations, vehicles, and other high dollar items because baby boomers and seniors have money to spend. We are prone to develop health issues as we age, and pharmaceutical companies are willing to help (and make a profit in the process). There are pills for everything: arthritis, cholesterol, insomnia, diarrhea, constipation, headache, acid reflux, restless leg syndrome, etc. Commercials (usually featuring a man about 40 years old) for male enhancement products and medications are aired so frequently that one might assume there’s nothing else to do after retirement! Based on the number of commercials for beauty products, we must all be searching for a younger look. Advertisements (featuring women about 20 years old) abound for hair coloring, skin creams, shampoos, and make up. We may as well give up. Ponce de Leon didn’t find the fountain of youth, and neither will we.
Even commercials for pet products, particularly dog and cat food and 
animal treats, are becoming popular because pets are supposed to be good companions for older people. One of the most interesting I have seen is for Pedigree + Healthy Digestion dog food. The sales pitch of the “talking Chihuahua” in this commercial is, “My food promotes optimum stool quality. Now, I’m not just a good pooper but an optimum one….” If this is a sign of things to come, “Calgon, take me away.” 
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