A connect between Religion and Marketing? This is something I have realized. I used to talk about this to friends that Religion is one of the best examples of the worth of Marketing. I would request you to keep your personal beliefs aside and think analytically about what I am saying for a minute.
People are influentially made to believe in a particular story and also follow a group or sect of a certain kind and thought without any real proof. What comes to them is marketing.
What makes me feel so? Religion I would say is like a DNA, which is passed on to us. This is embedded in us at young age by our parents. If we look at it from a marketing point of view, we can derive a lot of commonalities between religion and businesses. To cite an example, religion gives us both tangible and intangible benefits. A community which is tangible and intangible benefits like a promise of afterlife? Here we are given both a monetary and a time cost benefit.
The first thing that marketing teaches you is the use of Jargons. Religious leaders wrap their story in messaging and jargon that feels perfect and legitimate to most followers.
We can also connect it with a simple thing like logos. Religions have logos. It gives you an identity. That’s what marketing managers strive to do each day. Give a brand its identity. Religion successfully rallies people all over the world to publicly brand themselves as a part of a particular sect, subscribe to them and work with a different emotion, the feeling, without any compensation, as word of mouth marketers. This is done to attract new members to their religion which then can be seen as a brand of their choice. This I feel, is one of the main motives of marketing.
We celebrate so many festivals. Especially in a county like India, we seem to have more festivals than weekends. People devote their time, make purchases and give assets to their religion of choice. People gather at their religion’s physical location with frequency - All of these are basic marketing fundas.
Almost all the various religions in the world have packaged a compelling story which has been improved and edited for generations. What comes to us could be refined and meant for better consumption. It’s after all, all about packaging and presenting to make your offering look the best. Wars, fights, communal disrupt are seen solely due to change and to keep the religion relevant. This is done by updating and changing its messages, its look (appearance) and in the manner it spreads.
A simple thing like other viewpoints, outlooks and even science is told to be wrong. This is because questioning the truth has been overshadowed by design.
I know I have picked up a subject that not many will agree with. It is a ‘taboo’ subject but that’s exactly the reason why I chose to write about it and not shy away from it. It can be discussed more in the context of marketing though. We are in an internet-savvy world, where we have the power to talk; we can talk to so many people about what we feel. Discuss things! Discuss this! Would like people to analyze what is happening around each one of us. This needs to happen before we infuse any creativity or emotion with our ideas.
Science has already proven so many of our religious beliefs, wrong or illogical. These were previously widespread, until someone dared to question it. I would argue my point that the internet is accelerating this and being a part of the world of marketing and as marketers we need to understand how and why ideas spread throughout society: especially those that later end up get disrupted.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
The rise of the ‘Raunch’ Culture
I first noticed it several years ago. I would flip channels on the television and look at female strippers giving lap dances. I would flip the channel and see babes in tight, tiny dresses jumping up and down. Britney Spears was becoming increasingly popular and increasingly unclothed. Charlie’s Angels, the film came in and everybody was talking about it. There is so much to talk about. The way we are all exposed to soft porn on a daily basis. From television to magazines, from movies to radio jingles. This does not end here. When we walk down the road in a not so traditional area but an area which is considered ‘hip and happening’, you will realize that there are teens and young women, the occasionally ‘wild’ fifty year old – wearing nice low cut jeans paired with miniature tops. Was all this seen some 25 years ago as well? I don’t quite think so from what I have heard. Where are we all heading? Is this all just modernization or just another generation change? If so, why don’t I feel a part of it?
Some odd things were happening in my social life too. People I knew (female people) liked wearing these skimpy clothes and going out with different men on different nights. It was sexy and fun, they explained. It was liberating and rebellious. Was it? Is this the way they really wanted to rebel. I realize while I am writing this that many may have a viewpoint. A lot may disagree. But I have seen it with my own eyes and heard it too.
What is going on? I grew up watching my mom, who hardly ever wore make up; to a generation who did and now a generation who just has different view points. I am a part of it. But I still am not. What is going on?
What is almost surprising than the change itself is the responses I got when I spoke to people about it. The new ‘raunch’ culture didn’t mark the death of feminism. Apparently, it was evidence that the feminist project had already been achieved. ‘We earned the right to look at men and men’s magazine and are empowered’, said a friend.
Women have come so far, I learned, we no longer need to worry about objectification and misogyny. Instead it is time for us to join the pop culture, where men have been enjoying themselves all along. We do, after all see women going out more often these days. Drinking, partying, smoking etc. Doing all that was considered a taboo at some point in time. So is it just a change in time? Or like I said, that the feminist project has already been achieved?
While just speaking to a friend, about what they get out of this culture, I realized its not only about being sexy and noticed but its also about being ‘one of the guys’. Talking like them, acting like them and drinking like them. It was women empowerment!
But just because we are post doesn’t automatically mean we are feminists. There is a widespread assumption that simply because my generation of women have the good fortune to live in a world touched by the feminist movement, that means that everything we do is magically imbued with its agenda. It doesn’t work that way. ‘Raunchy’ and ‘liberated’ are not synonyms. It’s worth asking how far we have come, or how far we have left to go.
Is this the new form of rebellion today??
Some odd things were happening in my social life too. People I knew (female people) liked wearing these skimpy clothes and going out with different men on different nights. It was sexy and fun, they explained. It was liberating and rebellious. Was it? Is this the way they really wanted to rebel. I realize while I am writing this that many may have a viewpoint. A lot may disagree. But I have seen it with my own eyes and heard it too.
What is going on? I grew up watching my mom, who hardly ever wore make up; to a generation who did and now a generation who just has different view points. I am a part of it. But I still am not. What is going on?
What is almost surprising than the change itself is the responses I got when I spoke to people about it. The new ‘raunch’ culture didn’t mark the death of feminism. Apparently, it was evidence that the feminist project had already been achieved. ‘We earned the right to look at men and men’s magazine and are empowered’, said a friend.
Women have come so far, I learned, we no longer need to worry about objectification and misogyny. Instead it is time for us to join the pop culture, where men have been enjoying themselves all along. We do, after all see women going out more often these days. Drinking, partying, smoking etc. Doing all that was considered a taboo at some point in time. So is it just a change in time? Or like I said, that the feminist project has already been achieved?
While just speaking to a friend, about what they get out of this culture, I realized its not only about being sexy and noticed but its also about being ‘one of the guys’. Talking like them, acting like them and drinking like them. It was women empowerment!
But just because we are post doesn’t automatically mean we are feminists. There is a widespread assumption that simply because my generation of women have the good fortune to live in a world touched by the feminist movement, that means that everything we do is magically imbued with its agenda. It doesn’t work that way. ‘Raunchy’ and ‘liberated’ are not synonyms. It’s worth asking how far we have come, or how far we have left to go.
Is this the new form of rebellion today??
Women? Drinks?? ---- Ahhh… Gimme more!!
Women these days are increasingly drinking. Earlier on, drinking even for the males was considered a taboo. It slowly moved on and the drinking was accepted as an occasional phenomena. But now, from occasional drinking to regular drinking… It’s all just normal. Drinking is not considered a big deal today. Its all about being a part of something. A cult, a group, a generation...
Drinking today has become very common to both sexes, male and female and we hardly see any biases there. But then what do women actually want? And what do they actually crave for? Is there a particular drink that drives them crazy? Or are they open to anything that they just like? What do women want is the question to be asked.
There are girls who hang out with the guys just as one amongst them and slam mugs of beers, watching some sport and shouting their gut out. Whereas on the other hand we have girls who belong to the suave and sophisticated category, sitting on high stools in elite pubs with short dresses and crossed legs, holding a long stylish cigarette in one hand and a glass of cocktail or wine in the other.
Times are changing… More and more women are seen drinking these days. From bars to restaurants. From drinking at home to parties. Women, drinking is now a common phenomena.
Rum – known as the horses drink, could never be associated with women. But now there are girls who swear by old monk. From scotch to whisky, from Vodka to Gin, we can have it all.
I chose to write ‘we’ here as I am very much a part of this gender.
You name the drink and you’ll hear a voice – ‘Oh that’s a fun drink!’ ‘Oh that tastes nice!’ ‘That’s my all time favourite’ and ‘Ahhhh….gimme that!’ Women today can drink!!
But what is it that women actually like drinking? Now the choices here vary. Depending on your lifestyle, your friends, your tastes and your choices you choose your drink. Earlier on Vodka and Gin were only associated with women. But today with changing times, women are drinking everything. Beer, whisky, rum, cocktails and even doing tequila shots! Wow!
But how did this happen? Did things change suddenly? Is it even sudden or did it take its own time? I think this change has taken place in the last couple of years, when women started coming out of their closets and either started drinking or just merely accepting the fact that they drink.
With the advent of modernization, people started socializing more and more. ‘Going out’ became a common word and slowly drinking became one too. And today the ballgame has changed entirely. From ‘hanging out over coffee’ to ‘talking over drinks’. Times are changing. Good or bad? Oh it’s your outlook!
Kudos to these powers of substances…
Drinking today has become very common to both sexes, male and female and we hardly see any biases there. But then what do women actually want? And what do they actually crave for? Is there a particular drink that drives them crazy? Or are they open to anything that they just like? What do women want is the question to be asked.
There are girls who hang out with the guys just as one amongst them and slam mugs of beers, watching some sport and shouting their gut out. Whereas on the other hand we have girls who belong to the suave and sophisticated category, sitting on high stools in elite pubs with short dresses and crossed legs, holding a long stylish cigarette in one hand and a glass of cocktail or wine in the other.
Times are changing… More and more women are seen drinking these days. From bars to restaurants. From drinking at home to parties. Women, drinking is now a common phenomena.
Rum – known as the horses drink, could never be associated with women. But now there are girls who swear by old monk. From scotch to whisky, from Vodka to Gin, we can have it all.
I chose to write ‘we’ here as I am very much a part of this gender.
You name the drink and you’ll hear a voice – ‘Oh that’s a fun drink!’ ‘Oh that tastes nice!’ ‘That’s my all time favourite’ and ‘Ahhhh….gimme that!’ Women today can drink!!
But what is it that women actually like drinking? Now the choices here vary. Depending on your lifestyle, your friends, your tastes and your choices you choose your drink. Earlier on Vodka and Gin were only associated with women. But today with changing times, women are drinking everything. Beer, whisky, rum, cocktails and even doing tequila shots! Wow!
But how did this happen? Did things change suddenly? Is it even sudden or did it take its own time? I think this change has taken place in the last couple of years, when women started coming out of their closets and either started drinking or just merely accepting the fact that they drink.
With the advent of modernization, people started socializing more and more. ‘Going out’ became a common word and slowly drinking became one too. And today the ballgame has changed entirely. From ‘hanging out over coffee’ to ‘talking over drinks’. Times are changing. Good or bad? Oh it’s your outlook!
Kudos to these powers of substances…
To my beloved ex…
My Dear Wine,
Haven’t we known each other for a while now? Around 7 years? It’s been sometime since I first sipped you. It was about 2002, and while I didn’t really appreciate you until the last couple of years, I know that first time was the start of something special.
Sadly, I have some news for you. I know we’ve had some great times, and I know we were never exactly ‘exclusive’ but I thought it would only be nice if I let you know that I have started seeing Cocktails. Please do not get me wrong here I do enjoy your company, but I don’t think ours is a relationship that’s good for me. Sure, things no doubt are great when we’re together, we can talk all night and I feel like you really make me a smarter and funnier person. But Dear O Dear, the morning after, well, you know how you get. It’s the splitting headache you give me, and the grossly purple tongue, the trash-can breath and the stained teeth. I am really sorry but I just can’t take it any more.
Sure, having you by my side at the dinner table has a certain refined and urbane aura that these cocktails could never achieve, but you know there is some fun attached to it. He is so versatile and always keeps me guessing – sometimes tart, sometimes creamy, sometimes even a cheeky hint of fruit.
I am sorry I didn’t write to you earlier. Was a little scared because of your different nature. Didn’t know how you would react! One minute you suggest notes of raspberry but then the next you emanate an earthiness or complete transparency! You are so complex, you invite everybody in, especially girls like me. And then with loads of you, we are left asking for water, with no help from you.
At least Cocktail leaves me with a token umbrella to cheer me up in my darkest, nauseous bathroom hour.
I hope you react well after reading this and do not get too tannic! It was nice being with you. I have enjoyed so much with you and will always remain in touch with you.
Regards,
Your dearest ex…
Haven’t we known each other for a while now? Around 7 years? It’s been sometime since I first sipped you. It was about 2002, and while I didn’t really appreciate you until the last couple of years, I know that first time was the start of something special.
Sadly, I have some news for you. I know we’ve had some great times, and I know we were never exactly ‘exclusive’ but I thought it would only be nice if I let you know that I have started seeing Cocktails. Please do not get me wrong here I do enjoy your company, but I don’t think ours is a relationship that’s good for me. Sure, things no doubt are great when we’re together, we can talk all night and I feel like you really make me a smarter and funnier person. But Dear O Dear, the morning after, well, you know how you get. It’s the splitting headache you give me, and the grossly purple tongue, the trash-can breath and the stained teeth. I am really sorry but I just can’t take it any more.
Sure, having you by my side at the dinner table has a certain refined and urbane aura that these cocktails could never achieve, but you know there is some fun attached to it. He is so versatile and always keeps me guessing – sometimes tart, sometimes creamy, sometimes even a cheeky hint of fruit.
I am sorry I didn’t write to you earlier. Was a little scared because of your different nature. Didn’t know how you would react! One minute you suggest notes of raspberry but then the next you emanate an earthiness or complete transparency! You are so complex, you invite everybody in, especially girls like me. And then with loads of you, we are left asking for water, with no help from you.
At least Cocktail leaves me with a token umbrella to cheer me up in my darkest, nauseous bathroom hour.
I hope you react well after reading this and do not get too tannic! It was nice being with you. I have enjoyed so much with you and will always remain in touch with you.
Regards,
Your dearest ex…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)