Free business idea: Kids for sale in Joburg
Posted on 20. Nov, 2007 by Jonathan Cherry in Advertising
As far as we’re aware, the aim of advertising is to promote something. To make people aware of a product or service so that they will buy it.
So – what then is this shop window ad in Joburg selling or promoting?
We phoned the number printed on the ad and it goes through to The Salvation Army public relations department. You’re encouraged to leave a message, but that just seems rude. All that effort not to help, but ask concerned citizens to leave a message?
If anything – seeing this ad and the business opportunity in trafficking children clearly advertised here, we might just give it a go. Seems like a lucrative venture if you can sell your product in a plush shopping mall.
Surely if you want something to go away, the worst thing you can do is give the idea publicity. Thanks to this promotion – a new bunch of criminal entrepreneurs are mapping out business plans and strategies based on what they see here.
We just wonder if anyone has ever taken the time to measure whether this kind of social awareness-type campaign makes any difference in solving the problem, or is it the usual case of agencies just chasing Loeries on a Pro Bono ticket.
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3 Responses to “Free business idea: Kids for sale in Joburg”
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Ashley Glover
20. Nov, 2007
Hi There
Just a general comment – not really related to this specific post, but i wasn’t sure where to put it!
Great blog, really enjoy looking at it – i subscribe and always enjoy seeing a new post displayed in my Safari Toolbar from you guys. keep it up!
just wondering – you seem to be good at this – could you guys get hold of the new range of McCain “The Chips with goodness in them” Oven Baked Chips adverts that are running on SABC at the moment. i think these are great – taking advantage of the situation with the girl in the south somewhere that is getting visions of the Virgin Mary.
They take a light-hearted poke of fun at a situation that’s still fresh in people’s minds, and i think they hit the spot very nicely of having a bit of fun without offending anyone.
Do you think you could find them and post them? i’d love to have another look at them – and send the link to people who haven’t seen them.
Keep up the good work!
Stephen
14. Jul, 2008
Great find. However I have to add a rebuttal to your writing.
“Surely if you want something to go away, the worst thing you can do is give the idea publicity.”
Are you being sarcastic? I hope so. Ignoring a problem is the last thing to do. Until increased media attention, I had never imagined that human trafficking was so common. Of course all this project does is CREATE AWARENESS. Should they follow-up with with their website http://www.stophumantraffic.com/ ? yes.
Nicky
18. Apr, 2011
Er, I think the whole point is to ‘shock’ people into realising that human trafficking is a reality, and is pretty much going on under our noses. They are ‘promoting’ awareness.
There are lots of ads with a similar function – they aren’t all out to sell you something specific – I’m a bit disappointed to see such a narrow minded viewpoint on this site.