Last week I treated myself to Wendy’s. I do not eat very much fast food but have a special affiliation for Wendy’s as it was started in my hometown Columbus, Ohio.
Unfortunately, a few years ago Wendy’s was sold off due to low profits and now I’m not sure who it is owned by. Whoever that is apparently has a very poor marketing department and one of their advertisements struck me as very odd.
“From hide-and-seek to checkers, playing games has always been a family tradition, creating some great memories! It’s a fun way to spend a little time together laughing, playing and connecting with the people you love. But with all the other things you have to do, who’s got the time?
Let Wendy’s help you Pause. Play. and spend some quality time Together with the family. Each Wendy’s Kids’ Meal comes with an exciting game designed for fun family interaction in the car or wherever you are!”
This just baffles me. I wonder what they mean by “all the other things you have to do.”
If you know me, you understand I have spent a lot of time abroad and stuff like this really sticks out and I cannot help but read it as a reflection of the culture.
I have never really gotten over the culture shock and from trashy TV to continuous solicitations to buy something it seems I’m in a continuous state of bewilderment.
What an advertisement like this says to me is;
“You’re too busy filling your life with mindless activities that you have no time for what is really important. Therefore, you need a fast food restaurant to help you with something valuable while also making your family obese. We will guilt you into buying our fatty foods with the intention that we are doing something noble but in reality just want to give you diabetes.
Not only that, but we suggest you play them in the car instead of paying attention to the road thereby putting you in danger.”
Somebody in the Wendy’s marketing department needs to be fired.
