Re: Subliminal Messages: Fact or Fiction

I have to respectfully disagree with the post on Target. I don't believe what they are using is subliminal messaging. More so, they seem to be playing on the GenXers nostalgia. I, an X'er myself, think our whole generation became nostalgic for our childhoods before we were even out of them! All of the fashions of our adolescence returned to being in style before we were out of our 20's.
In searching for an adequate image here, I found this NY Times article that seems to say that I'm just old:  GenX Nostalgia Boom.

However, I do believe subliminal messaging can work WITH a strong concept. The concept always has to be there first, and it has to drive the design. I was watching an episode of "Wilfred" the other evening (Google if you are unfamiliar - it's FANTASTIC!) and the protaganist, Ryan, reminds Wilfred (a dog) that he figured out how to join a meat-of-the-month club, so he's smarter than a dog should be. Wilfred responds along the lines of: "It was Amazon-dot-com! One click shopping. They make it so easy."

I know in the age of DVR and OnDemand, advertisers aren't getting their dollars-worth with commercials. I also know having these ads integrated into the script is far less jarring than the early "Soap" Operas, where they would pause to have the actor or actress pitch the sponsors product to you mid-show. But there's something in selling your product in a way most consumers have been trained to overlook that seems dishonest to me.

I think Wayne and Garth said it best in this clip, from 1992. I can't believe this is 20 years old.