ADM used to run these kind of ads too. I always assumed it was to get the punters to invest in the company, rather than being a pitch for the non-consumer good being featured.

U.S. Postal Service.

Like I have any other option for mailing a letter.

Dolby sound ads before the movies. "Ethel, let's go and buy a dolby!"

U.S. Postal Service.

Like I have any other option for mailing a letter.

Well, you have a choice in mailing a package.

A lot of these are largely corporate image ads. GE did some a while back for hospital equipment. At the time, they were in hot water over their PCB dump in a Northeastern river whose name currently escapes me. Also, Philip Morris ran lots of ads about their support of the Second Harvest food bank during the brouhaha over the tobacco settlements.

It's just another form of damage control for them -- and, as PST said, it appeases and attracts investors.

Corporate image advertising, or "feel-good" ads, are common -- especially on Sunday, when certain demographics are home watching news shows or football. ADM has sponsored NBC's Meet the Press for approximately forever -- and they don't sell to the consumer. In that case, they're buying goodwill for the important business deals that are Congressional agricultural subsidy votes.

In the case of Philips, they're not selling MRI scanners to the public, they're selling TVs and such -- which the consumer will think are of higher quality through this association with highly trusted medical technology.

I loved the ads for the purple pill that told me I needed them months -- MONTHS! -- before the drug company told anyone for which malady the pills were allegedly supposed to treat.

Well, you have a choice in mailing a package.

Yes, but they don't show the actors mailing a package *unless it's the "Priority Mail" commercial*, they're always dropping an envelope into the mailbox with a shit-eating grin on their face like "Dude, I just totally hosed FedEx!"

What stilicho forgot to mention is the ad subly promotes the R&D division of Royal Philips. They’re essentially saying, “Looking to invest in a project? Or seeking some consultants to spec out your manufacturing startup? Look at what we could do for you.”

I loved the ads for the purple pill that told me I needed them months -- MONTHS! -- before the drug company told anyone for which malady the pills were allegedly supposed to treat.

Wolfdaddy, it used to be that if a commercial mentioned the drug's name, but didn't explain its intended use, the company was exempt from an FDA rule requiring that side effects be listed.

That rule has changed, and now drug makers are required to give a "brief summary" of the drug's purpose and its possible side effects.

...and that doesn't even help mudpuppie. I heard ana ad for (I think) Lunestra on the radio yesterday; the announcer sped up her voice (or it was done digitally) and the music came up so loudly during the "brief summary" that it became almost impossible to hear the side effects.

"Do not break Lunestra tablets if you do not wish to become pregnant or go back in time. Do not take Lunestra if you are planning on becoming a jackrabbit. All other coneys are fine. If you take Lunestra when crossing the International Date Line, the manufacturer will assume no responsibility for any effects, intended or otherwise. Do not say Lunestra three times in rapid succession unless under the care of someone with the name of Otho. Do not taunt Lunestra."

:-)

*kisses mr_crash* You, sir, have bested me.