I am going to derail the topic for a sec. But I have seen a lot more bikes in fashion ads (mostly print). And in movies! I was watching a lifetime movie, and one of the characters was an everyday cyclist. (It ended up being pivotal when the crazy lady forced her into getting into an accident while on her bike!). Anyway her scenes had her in cute outfits, and then later on her bike. And zero comments about her biking at all.

My favorite TV commercials of recent years were the ones by Regions Bank.

Actually, a lot of movies have bicycles in them ... sometimes you've got to watch for them (blink and you'll miss it). :)

What I find the most depressing is when people deny that real problems exist. Denial is not a form of optimism. It's more a form of irrationality or naivete.

I have a very optimistic view of the world. I believe that people can solve big problems and make things better. But we first have to admit to ourselves that certain problems do exist. I think that tandempower has a similar worldview of optimism that problems can be solved if they are honestly addressed.

:rolleyes:

An ad on TV just now ...

Bikes for Sale | Bike and Cycling Shops - BikeExchange.com.au

https://www.youtube.com/user/BikeExchangeTV

And specifically ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yau-n61dqs4

It's been on TV quite frequently recently. :)

Cigarette and tobacco commercials were outlawed in Australia decades ago. There is some pressure being brought to bear on authorities to reduce or eliminate both alcohol and gambling advertising, too. Although I have noticed that the alcohol advertising has reduced a little over the past couple of years.

Motor vehicle advertising is ubiquitous, of course, and often tried to use a cycling image to help sell cars, especially for SUVs. The new generation of advertisers appear to be law firms touting for business that may lead to damages claims.

But I have to say that when we visit North America, I am amazed by the amount of pharma commercials on television. It's almost overpowering. Certainly in Australia, we don't have ads for penile enhancement drugs, blood pressure medications, or cholesterol pills.

I normally zap TV commercials, but I had to watch this one since it was the newest "low" in pharmaceutical ads.

Crestor TV Commercial, 'Trial' - iSpot.tv

At the risk of sounding like a wet blanket... advertisers will use whatever images and ideas they believe will help endear their product to you. An Insurance company (for example) may use images of people being athletic in their advertisements, but only if it believes such images will help their bottom line. No insurance company "cares" about your health. It's not the point of a corporation to care, it's the point of a corporation to make a profit.

If a corporation makes a profit by selling you poison, they'll make an advertisement that paints poison in a family-friendly, health conscious, and glamorous light. ('DDT' in Advertising, I say | Scoop.itfor example).

I don't say this because I have anything against fitness or health or bicycles. I do, however, frequently feel chapped by many different kinds of gross advertising.

JAE