Ad campaign - more dumb romance readers

[jmc_bks]

I noticed an ad on the wall in the Metro last night that just pissed me off. Two photos of the same guy, side by side. In one, he's reading a romance novel and the caption is "Average subway reading." In the other, he's reading Plato's Republic and the caption is "Greater Washington subway reading." The small print went on to talk about the Greater Washington Initiative, and how educated people are in this area.

WTF? First, I've never seen a guy on the Metro reading a romance novel as lurid as the one the guy in the ad was. The newspaper or Express or magazine is more the norm, either that or work papers. And the only people I see reading "serious" stuff -- students. Second, does anyone really think that reading Plato means you are smart? Seriously, it was required reading in freshman philosophy in college. Every moron in my class had to read it -- it didn't mean they were smart or ed-jah-micated, it just meant it was mandatory. Third, talk about an insult to romance readers everywhere. We are apparently undereducated and not the target audience (or desired workforce) for Greater Washington.

Talk about pretentious.

So what is this GWI that is responsible for the ad? According to its website, it is the "regional economic development marketing organization that assists firms in expanding their business in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland." I'm thinking about sending them an email about their stereotypes and assumptions. My letter is ready, but for proofing by a friend, and will be sent this evening.

Comments

[jperceval.livejournal.com]

!!!!!

Words cannot express my rage.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh! This would've so pissed me off.

[(Anonymous)]

That is nasty! We romance readers just don't seem to get any respect do we - no matter how smart or educated we are.

Kristie(J)

[(Anonymous)]

That is too obnoxious and the non-romance readers of the "regional economic development marketing organization that assists firms in expanding their business in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland." show they are clueless.

Tara (romancereadingmom)

[sarahf.livejournal.com]

You should email the smartbitches about it. I'm sure they'd rant and rave. Hey, did you see I spawned a contest on SB? That's so cool!

[(Anonymous)]

Personally, the dumbass is the one reading Plato's Republic. BORING! He's some pretentious twit who's such an idiot he doesn't realize no one but no one will be impressed by his choice of books.

The romance, on the other hand . . . that, at least, might get a few women talking to you. And isn't that what reading on the subway is all about?

See ya --

Doug Hoffman

[(Anonymous)]

Yep, every moron was supposed to read it. I just didn't because I was bored ;)

Seeing as how most people don't even bother to read novels, I'd say the ones who occupy their time reading on the subway are many IQ points above those who just sit and stare.

Meh. I guess you get used to being undervalued as a romance reader. I shouldn't but then I think, 'your loss'.

Cindy

[(Anonymous)]

Maybe it was just a humerous way to make a point? It's not like marketing is a hard science.

Apparently they have a whole campaign:
http://www.greaterwashington.org/news/media_library/ads.htm

It's not like the romance novel reader's caption said "An idiot on the metro" it said "An average reader". Besides, don't most people read that Wash Post McPaper these days?

LG

missing the point

[(Anonymous)]

Personally, I like the GWI add- if you knew more about the creative economy that DC has, maybe it would make more sense.

The ad isn't saying that romance readers are less educated, dumber or anything like that. It is try to show that yes, romances are entertaining, but the DC creative economy can provide more than that.