William Easterly

William Easterly

Posted: August 13, 2009 03:35 PM

Who is the Target Audience for Celebrity Aid Campaigns?

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I've complained a lot about celebrity aid campaigns, but somebody must like them since they keep happening over and over. To whom is the celebrity campaign meant to appeal?

The celebrity aid campaign of the past few years has precisely these three components:

1. Angelina Jolie
2. Music by Bono
3. Picture of African mother and baby

So who is the audience that likes looking at Angelina, enjoys 1980s Rock, and wants to save helpless African women and children? The answer is now obvious: chauvinistic middle-aged white males. (Speaking as an expert middle-aged white male)

A more serious analysis might note the irony of using Hollywood women as sex objects and seeing African women as the passive recipients of aid chivalry, when one of the objectives of aid is gender equality...but let's not go there.

And it's easy to understand why the campaigns target chauvinistic middle-aged white males, since they have the deepest pockets.

Economics is a lot more fun than you thought...

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- TigersEye I'm a Fan of TigersEye 54 fans permalink
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The good news is that many people donate their own time and money without needing some kind of celebrity personality to show us the way. I don't care for Jolie, I'm not up on what Bono is doing and I'm far from being a chauvinistic white middle aged man. But I do have a conscience and want to do what I can for others less fortunate, and for better treatment of animals and education to preserve the species of animals that are in danger of extinction. Celebrities shouldn't be necessary for those who have a soul and the means and desire to do something positive for the planet and humanity.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:12 PM on 08/13/2009
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I'll admit I don't get it.
Is this an unfunny joke?

The Sarah McLachlan / ASPCA campaign has been successful and I don't think that they targeted middle-aged white men. Shouldn't a celebrity appeal be geared toward the people most likely to donate to the organization in question?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:13 PM on 08/13/2009
- LMPE I'm a Fan of LMPE 60 fans permalink

What would you rather see? John Wayne, jingoistic country-western music, and a glorification of war?

That's certainly what Boss Limbaugh would like.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:49 PM on 08/13/2009
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