A letter to Advertising

Yo ad? can I call you ad?

Remember the last time we were together? It was just before launching Despacito on youtube at Daniela's house?

Why are you here again? And this time on Instagram? didn't we agree that I was not interested? Why don't you leave me alone?

I mean, don’t get me wrong, I know that you were made to communicate and promote a service or product. Most of the time you explain it’s main characteristics, other times you speak more directly, to a specific audience. And even for some services, you manage to compare and trash-talk competitors- and man, that shit’s hilarious, for real.

But at the end of the day, you’ll always be defined by your sell sell sell attitude. That salesperson messaging and mentality will never stop.

I have to confess man, you’ve managed to put yourself everywhere. I mean literally everywhere. Always so new, so hip and so trendy. Promoting political campaigns and helping brands share their toxic messages full of lies.

But hey, you’re still super important. Did you know that Statista values you roughly at 560 BILLION USD?

What you represent to shareholders and companies is unique. You’re their main source of income, roughly 40–70% of the revenue of many giant tech firms today.

Thanks to the internet and the reach of your creators your reach is astonishing. You can literally communicate with 3 billion human beings instantaneously.

Day by day you keep growing, you gain new users and advertise more products. It’s a non-stop circle of selling and generating “value” to stakeholders.

But when is it enough? When can we expect you to change?

Humanity has outgrown that selling approach just like you ad. We’ve also evolved and learned from our past.

Today more than ever, we need support. A constant reminder that we are all in this together and that humanity is all of us.

Stop communicating hatred, viral news, or trendy TikTok challenges. When will you use your power for good?

Why don’t you talk about sustainable brands that fight to help our species fight global warming (The local fruit stand, Solar City, The Ocean Clean Up, etc.)? Why don’t you make them viral?

Ad, I truly believe that if you want to change the world, you can. You just have to focus on helping us as individuals during our path. Guiding us to a sustainable future.

It’s about empowering us, teaching us, and finding our value and purpose. It’s not about pushing the latest song, or new shoe, it’s about showing me products or services that can help me grow.

Ad, when you manage to control that. You’ll be the most influential voice in the world.

I just hope that by then, we can trust you.

Take care ad!

RR

PS: And Yo man! keep up the hilarious ads, I’ve always loved having a laugh with you, old friend.

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