Wednesday, May 17, 2006

AA: ideology in motion

Check out this ad from American Airlines in the immediate aftermath of Sept 11, 2001 (let's not pretend that other important things haven't ever happened on that date). My wife even cried as we were manipulated into consuming in defense of freedom and the American way.

Also check here.

By byron smith at 6:33 am

Topics: , , ,

4 comments:

michael jensen said...

It's vile...isn't it? The whole way of life schtick is fundamentally babylonian!

May 17, 2006 1:23 pm
byron smith said...

It's a classic text for branding (cf. No Logo): hiding the material conditions of market exchange behind the noble activity of buying 'freedom'. The confluence of consumerism with patriotism: strike a blow for humanity with your wallet. And of course, as the epitomy of freedom, what industry is more highly regulated and subsidised, and what activity involves more security checks, than flying? The staggering complexity of technological and economic conditions required for AA's kind of freedom might have led Churchill to say, 'freedom is so important it has to be protected by a bodyguard of prisoners.'

May 17, 2006 11:24 pm
Drew said...

Just thinking off that Bruce Ellis Benson book, it's very easy to see logos and branding as modern day idols - and we pledge allegiance to our favourite brands everyday!

May 18, 2006 1:06 am
byron smith said...

And of course, this ad also draws on one of the biggest and most successful brands out there: 'I pledge allegiance to the...'

May 18, 2006 6:56 am

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