Here’s an interesting article about the use of the 1970s song Magic (oh, oh, oh, it’s Magic) in commercials for Ozempic. I hadn’t seen the commercial (bc we pretty much never watch American tv) but it’s interesting to read about how this came to be, and how music is used in ads in general. I can remember people getting upset (righteously indignant) at the use of certain songs in ads, like it’s selling out and an insult to the artist, or to art. But in Japan, ads are recognized as a way that millions of people see or hear something, and there’s not that “sell out” sensibility.

Anyway, here’s the regular link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/0...its-magic-pilot.html

And a gift link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/0...WkrO9&smid=url-share

I don't understand why but get stories about this drug in my news feed almost every day.

I can't read these links now but what is the controversy or is there one?

This isn’t about the drug, it’s about the use of famous songs in advertising. The recent ozempic commercial may be the most successful example.

"If you use this drug, you will be happy and go wonderful places with great people!".

That's what they're selling. It's pretty disingenuous.

quote:

pharma surpassed tech and auto in 2023 to become the second largest industry for ad spending, behind only consumer packaged goods.

It was certainly an inspired choice for a commercial ditty. I understand why they chose it. There are even a few examples of commercial tunes becoming genuine pop songs in their own right.

There must be a whole subset of psychological studies devoted to advertising strategies. A couple that I don't understand are the increasingly annoying ads for auto insurance and the seeming success of ads for online gambling.

Big Al

quote:

It's pretty disingenuous.

Agreed.

But from a marketing standpoint, they've been very successful :/