Old Navy Loses My Business

Are consumers really mannequins navigating malls,
just as fake as the plastic credit cards lining their wallets?

Old Navy seems to think so.

Perhaps I'm reading a little bit too much into Old Navy's recent ad campaign, but the first time I saw it, I was a tad offended. Mannequins stand in for actual people, hawking the clothing of this ubiquitous U. S. chain. Many people have said how cute and clever the commercials are, but what about the implied subtext?

I've had a few friends in the advertising field who have told me about the extensive research that goes into the psychological underpinnings of the great behemoth called capitalism that rules America. I'm quite sure that the ad execs behind this recent campaign scoffed to themselves about the underlying meaning of having plastic dolls stand in for actual humans.

While walking past a local ON store this weekend, the foyer of the shop was adorned with many of its new "spokespeople." I was instantly sickened when I saw a mother taking a picture with her cell phone as her daughter posed with the plastic doggie that accompanies the mannequin crew. Teach 'em young: believe plastic is good, fit into molds, and don't question what you see. I'm so hopeful for our future.