by: Amiel Aguilar Cabanlig
The past decade was marked by the rise of an innovative form of sybaritic narcissism and covetousness brazenly propagated by no less than traditional media. “It replaced the ethic of quiet modesty and self-deprecation that citizens in the past looked for in their leader,” says Prof. Randy David. He adds “we might say it is also normal to find it among politicians during an electoral campaign. But, when self-promotion becomes a standard feature of a society’s public life, one must ask if it has not become a social disorder.
In a bold yet “not-very-smart” move Nokia chose cyberspace’s self-proclaimed queen of debauchery and materialism Bryanboy as the N97 endorser! Just this week, Bryanboy’s gaunt and overly made-up mug has appeared in broadsheets and the net brandishing the Nokia device. Nokia, the world’s largest mobile phonemaker which claims to be the boss in the “smartphone” wars, rolls out its newest of mobile devices - the N97.
Does Nokia want to jump into this social disorder- this SOCIAL CANCER slowly inching its way into the marrow of Philippine society?
Nokia’s latest gadget is supposed to be designed for the active social networker who values style and looks. Nokia says “the growth of social networking sites Facebook and Twitter decidedly plays a huge part in fueling the “smartphone” wars, the blurring of the lines between mobile phones and computers. Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia EVP for markets, noted that Twitter alone grew 1,182 percent via mobile phones.”
“Being [wired] is integral to daily life, not just for the elite,” says Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia EVP.
While the N97 is pegged as the “slimmest travel companion” and having a scrawny blogger might seem like a perfect match to endorse the Nokia gizmo, in all honesty I have to beg the question – “What were they thinking?!”
In an age where “the brand” is king and associating it with a particular “celebrity” speaks heaps about a brand’s values and personality, what exactly is Nokia trying to convey by having Bryanboy associated with their brand? If shallowness, a materialistic lifestyle, and shameless self-promotion is really what Nokia wants to communicate then they are on the right track. This industry seems to be rife with poo
r choices when it comes to image models… does “Smart Addict” ring a bell. Now the PDEA [ the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency] has tagged some of SMART-addict endorsers as DRUG suspects. Leo Rosten hit the nail when he said words must surely be counted among the most powerful drugs man ever invented!
A few years back, Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Jenny Epperson witlessly penned: Just like his exuberant personality, the Theme: Yap limited-edition graphic shirts are bold, surreal and stylish, loudly and unapologetically proclaiming messages such as “Filthy Rich,” “Big Spender” and “Don’ t Hate Me, Envy Me. (I can already hear the keyboard sounds from bloggers everywhere… whatever!)”
Professor Randy David couldn’t have said it much better; “what is interesting about advertising is that, unlike the news, it does not hide its interest in promoting something or somebody. People know that what they are seeing or hearing is advertising, and so they are aware that they are being persuaded or even manipulated. What they are unconscious of, however, is how they are being influenced. And here lies precisely the power of modern advertising. Its target audiences are made to believe they are in full control of their decision-making, when in fact they are being subtly moved to want something they may not really want.”
Let me end this article with a quote from the late Chito Madrigal-Collantes: "I regret the ostentation and pushiness that today go with being “in society,” the quasi-vulgarity of taste, the maneuvering to get your photo in the papers, the bribery and cultivation of society reporters and columnists."
TIM YAP listen to Prof.David..."self-promotion becomes a standard feature of a society’s public life, one must ask if it has not become a social disorder"
smart addict endorsers were Tiny and Borgy Manotoc!
hmmmmmmn.............
I'm going to be sick now..... WTF? The country has gone to the dogs. A pack of dogs I tell you! What's next? I give up.
the maneuvering to get your photo in the papers... hmmmmn sounds so Gucci!
death by a lethal injection of baygon!
If shallowness, a materialistic lifestyle, and shameless self-promotion is really what Nokia wants to communicate then they are on the right track...
A similar phone... motorola razr became the bread and butter of the gucci gang! Motorola closed their company later on...
bryanboy is not the only materialistic blogger out there what about his ex-frienimy chuvaness the LV princess of the third world
ibitay ng patiwarik ang vaklush!
ang pagbabalik ng dispatsadora: A few years back, Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Jenny Epperson witlessly penned: Just like his exuberant personality, the Theme: Yap limited-edition graphic shirts are bold, surreal and stylish, loudly and unapologetically proclaiming messages such as “Filthy Rich,” “Big Spender” and “Don’s t Hate Me, Envy Me.
Tiny is unapologetically proclaiming messages such as “Filthy Rich,” “Big Spender” and “Don’s t Hate Me, Envy Me.
LUNURIN and VAKLUSH!
rich as they may be..
they play poor man’s game.
that’s just human nature... boycott NOKIA!
who is rich? Bryanboy? Tim Yap? eh mga dukha naman yan eh. magaling lang magkunwari!
Tiny is unapologetically proclaiming messages such as “Filthy Rich,” “Big Spender” and “Don’s t Hate Me, Envy Me.
BAKIT MAYAMAN BA SI TIM? PLEEEEEEAAASE!
We admire men who rise from the pits of poverty and dedicate part of their wealth to ease people’s suffering. Their wealth consists not only of money, but also of compassion and empathy. Simplicity and honesty despite wealth denote sacrifice and austerity. False pride due to wealth and power is a huge stumbling block for spiritual liberation and freedom.
Chuvaness is the most and worst shallow pathetic blog in the land and I have no idea why Gorrell protects her so much. Chuvaness blog makes me sick JUST like the BB blog. Labels labels and more money and spending and more and more and greed and greed and more spending and more self promotion. MORE MORE MORE MORE for that girl. Give her up Gorrell! She is just as bad as the rest of them so STOP protecting her! You lose your cred!
This article left me no choice but to cry... cry with sadness... as it is really sad, a mind boggling sadness and displeasure when Amiel started with that line about the traditional media
"innovative form of sybaritic narcissism and covetousness brazenly propagated by no less than traditional media.
Talaga naman! Where has this world gone down too.
innovative form of sybaritic narcissism and covetousness brazenly propagated by no less than traditional media... fabulous writing amiel...hence Jenny Epperson wrote "TIM loudly and unapologetically proclaiming messages such as “Filthy Rich,” “Big Spender” and “Don’s t Hate Me, Envy Me."
Tim Yap's “Don’s t Hate Me, Envy Me" is probably the cheapest and the most pathetic statement ever made!
Oh BTW that statement is sooooo 1990's! Matatanda na kayo, WAKE UP!
For the record, I do not protect Cecile. I do not speak for anyone.
Another of Amiel's trademark creative writing... demagogy at it's finest!
If shallowness, a materialistic lifestyle, and shameless self-promotion is really what Nokia wants to communicate then buy the BLACKBERRY instead! At least no less than Obama is the soft endorser....hehehe!
"People know that what they are seeing or hearing is advertising, and so they are aware that they are being persuaded or even manipulated. What they are unconscious of, however, is how they are being influenced.
And here lies precisely the power of modern advertising. Its target audiences are made to believe they are in full control of their decision-making, when in fact they are being subtly moved to want something they may not really want... THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL EVIL-CAPITALISM- PREDATING ON THE STUPIDITY OF CONSUMERS WHO BELIEVE BRYANBOY and TINY!
BRYANBOY
TINYTIM
DJMONTANO
The true AXIS of EVIL
I love this blog now and I love Brian G because he started this bloodbath and I'm rather enjoying it. Bring on more blogging and more death to the GG!
Does Nokia want to jump into this social disorder- this SOCIAL CANCER slowly inching its way into the marrow of Philippine society?
Tiny is the social BUNI!
Uhm, Hollywood is the greatest tool of self-promotion. Tell us, why do most actresses get nips and tucks, trying to make themselves look young and skinny. Trendy clothes and looks, with expensive branded things.
Isn't that what most Filipinos are following. The practice of self-agrandization, making it great in the this round world called earth and no consideration of what the rest of the country are suffering from.
Maybe it is time to start with small things like cleaning the environment and caring after its resources. Looking for ways to become responsible citizens and be proud of where you live and be proud. Find ways to stop flooding, and prevent disasters.
yuck it's BB again?
SHAME ON YOU WILLIAM HAMILTON WHYTE - COUNTRY MANAGER OF NOKIA PHILIPPINES!
SHAME ON YOU WILLIAM HAMILTON WHYTE - COUNTRY MANAGER OF NOKIA PHILIPPINES!
shame,shame,shame,shame!
boycott nokia? just for this particular viral marketing ad campaign?
how much do you want to bet that the marketing directors based in Finland have no idea who Bryanboy even is. Nor do they actually give a crap. If anything, it's the person who is responsible for this ad, the higher ups probably don't even know what's going on...it's a big company, how are they to know what a particular celebrity has done?
it's a shame if you boycott nokia just because of this, the amount of hard work that goes into their products. i for one know many filipinos who are working hard in the development of nokia mobiles in finland, working towards the common goal of literally "connecting people."
"Chuvaness is the most and worst shallow pathetic blog in the land and I have no idea why Gorrell protects her so much. Chuvaness blog makes me sick JUST like the BB blog. Labels labels and more money and spending and more and more and greed and greed and more spending and more self promotion."
Birds of a feather
losers of a feather
fakes of a feather
flock together.
Look into your own thoughts and you will see the answer.
BLACKBERRY RULES!!!!!!!
Agree!
A very decent endorser...BLACKBERRY RULES!!!!!!!
fabulous article Amiel!