What’s in a Brand?

Morgan Spurlock, of Super Size Me fame takes a transparent look at advertising and brands.

So, what does this TED Talk have to do with fashion or style? I think quite a bit. We’ve talked before about the true beauty myth, and it’s these same advertisers that he approached who are using their marketing dollars to spread a message about what we should look like, smell like, and how we should dress. While he doesn’t look at the beauty industry specifically, I think it’s telling that all but one of the advertising firms he approached were hesitant to attach their names to his film.

Marketing is part of our every day lives, and those messages impact how we see ourselves, whether we like it or not. I’m glad to see someone taking a hard look at the advertising industry and how these big brands position themselves into our lives. I think awareness about how that works can help us make more informed choices and see through marketing hype. What do you guys think?

Spurlock’s new film, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by ElvertBarnes