The Ad Council has taken out a full page ad in the New York Times thanking its donors which are dozens and dozens of the big corporations. The Council says of itself that its work has served to "enrich the lives of Americans."
Well, maybe.
Two of its most famous campaigns are Smokey the Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog. Of late, Smokey has been blamed for causing the most devastating forest fires. Indeed Smokey has been adjudged such a menace he has been retired from active duty. As for McGruff, if that dog has ever stopped a crime it has gone unreported. He's too cute to scare crooks.
Mostly, though, the Ad Council is responsible for contributing innocuous drivel to the daily clutter of unnecessary announcements and pronouncements which give much of our mass media the voice of a unitary state. In case you have forgotten, here are a few of the campaign slogans the Goodie Two-Shoes at the Ad Council pride themselves on: "Keep Freedom Strong. Exercise It," "Imagine the Power of One Voice," "You Are Not As Alone As You Feel," "Do What You Like To Do. Volunteer," "It Takes a Man To Be A Dad," "Friendship Beats Bullies Every Time," and "Don't Just Take A Stand. Act." Don't you feel enriched, encouraged and emboldened by reading these inspirational messages again?
"L'audace! Encore l'audace!"
Heed the Council. Take its wisdom for your model. Take a stand against talking with your mouth full. Oppose breaking wind in public wherever you encounter it. Stand up for good manners.
And here are some suggestions for future campaigns if the Ad Council has the guts to use them as slogans: "All For One And One For All," "It Takes A Woman To Be A Mom," "Blink Back the Tears," "Do Not Park In the Handicapped Space," and "Smile, Smile, Smile."
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