Sunday 6 July 2008

Pray Prey to advertisers

I wondered when the ABC's Gruen Transfer started just whether it would be successful. Taking as its premise the examination of the phenomenon of advertising, it seemed to me a long stretch to imagine that a discerning public might go for it.
However, under the flagship of Andrew Denton's company Zapruder's other films, one wouldl have to watch because he has an uncanny instinct for what works. And it is strangely seductive.
Particularly interesting is the segment in which two advertising firms are pitted against each other to promote the indefensible...whaling...ah Whale Meat, the Beef of the sea....and last week Child Labour (Tire them out and keep them out of trouble).
The disturbing thing is about how plausible advertising can seem. Which is, I guess, the point.
It's witty, intelligent and interesting; which is I suppose why Wil Anderson is hosting it rather than Dermot Brereton...who can stick to 20 funniest ads!

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