Why are TV ads so childish and stupid?

Answer 1

Because many people are childish & stupid & they play to the lowest common denominator.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, they want the people to remember the ad, for better or for worse. It doesn't have to be a good ad, just a memorable one.

Example: that chapstick someone wrote about is those godfersakin' Head-On commercials.

"HEAD-ON! APPLY DIRECTLY TO THE FOREHEAD!"
"HEAD-ON! APPLY DIRECTLY TO THE FOREHEAD!"
"HEAD-ON! APPLY DIRECTLY TO THE FOREHEAD!"

The makers of Head-On did testing to figure out which method of advertising was the most effective. In studies, that annoying repetitive ad that you see turned out to be the most effective advertising method. So they used it. Now we have headaches, and now we need their product. :D

See source.



As for Ovaltine... it always goes something like this.

"Hey! My mom's making rich chocolate Ovaltine!"
"I LOVE OVALTINE SHAKES!!!"
"YAAAAY!!!"
"Mom: Who wants an Ovaltine shake?"
"I DO!!!"
"OMG!!! I'D BETTER MAKE MORE!!!"

See how well that ad stuck in my head? See how well I remembered it? Now you know why some ads have to be bad to be good. :D

Answer 3

The one where the people rub a stick on their head for a headache remedy. Like a tube of chap stick.
What's up with that.

Answer 4

Because people open up to non-threatening, light-hearted material. They enjoy a laugh. Would you rather have heavy drama in your commercials? And in part, ads have their own assinine traditions and conventions.

Answer 5

because the producers want you to remember the commercial when u are shopping and see the item that was advertised. you see it and you thing of the idiotic commercial and say "its a dumb commercial but its a good product. im gonna get it." :)