I make the argument that advertising to a degree, when done well, reflects the character of the target market they're hitting. MSNBC tends to have more mainstream advertising, because that's who's watching. CNN is advertising heaven if you're going for moderately smart, middle aged Americans who maybe still while not always being cognizant of privilege, don't generally get rubed and can be spoken to. Fox advertises to the old and successful, but increasingly stupid due to diminishing mental capacities elderly of this country who "grew up in a different America." Then they fill the rest of that market with the young and uneducated poor whites in rural America, catching the stupidity before it can break out of it. Hence, GOLD! commercials, and other cringy ads that reek scam appeal to that target market.
Know someone who wants to be a Doctor in Alabama because they need them for their fat white trash obese citizens who have a litany of spinal and back issues issues over the years that cause ankle problems. He gets paid because even though they'll vote GOP till they die, he knows when they come in for those treatments without coverage they'll probably be getting some funding by the government, either through some hospital safety net, or some program they magically qualify for but "doesnt count" as government assistance.
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u/BearTerrapin Dec 13 '17
I make the argument that advertising to a degree, when done well, reflects the character of the target market they're hitting. MSNBC tends to have more mainstream advertising, because that's who's watching. CNN is advertising heaven if you're going for moderately smart, middle aged Americans who maybe still while not always being cognizant of privilege, don't generally get rubed and can be spoken to. Fox advertises to the old and successful, but increasingly stupid due to diminishing mental capacities elderly of this country who "grew up in a different America." Then they fill the rest of that market with the young and uneducated poor whites in rural America, catching the stupidity before it can break out of it. Hence, GOLD! commercials, and other cringy ads that reek scam appeal to that target market.