Your Advertising is Annoying

Is it just me, or does anyone else out there get really annoyed by the stereotypes of women in commercials? If I see one more swiffer commercial where the sad mop is playing cheesy 80's love songs while the woman-of-the-house is cheerfully swiffering away, I may have to turn off the TV for good.

I remember in one of my first marketing courses in college, our professor stated at the beginning of class that advertising by nature was stereotypical. He said this as a disclaimer of sorts so that we would not be offended by any of the generalizations offered throughout class. I remember thinking the comment was odd, but agreeing with him at the time.

So many years have now gone by since that marketing class. I've been working in marketing since I graduated. I would agree that you sell by speaking to your audience's needs. But personally (and I'm going to speak for all the ladies out there) - I have never had a blissful moment about housecleaning. I dread cleaning my bathroom. I bribe my husband to do dishes (no, it doesn't work), and I refuse to dust because it is pointless. So if you think I have ever been affectionate about any cleaning products - you are sadly off the mark.

Any commercial which shows women happy about their housework or domestic duties is a bit offensive to me. Contrary to what some of these companies think, I don't sit around the kitchen all day long waiting to realize that I've forgotten my kid's lunchables and I don't think that the all-in-one detergent and fabric softener sheet is the best thing since sliced bread.

And don't get me started on minivans. They are not cool, in my opinion. Yes, we own one but my husband drives it. The first time I got in it I looked around and asked him, "well, where is it?" to which he replied, "What?" and I said, "The white flag."

And in case you're wondering, I do not own any mom jeans. (but thank you SNL - you get it.)

Sometimes when I don't understand an ad, I know why - it was not intended for me. Any beer commercial with monkeys is a perfect example. My husband thinks they are hilarious. I look at him and shake my head...

But other times, I know I'm their target. I'm in my 30's. I'm a working parent. And frankly it's irritating that they haven't figured out a better way to market to us. Maybe in the 50's it would've worked (any other Mad Men fans out there?). But not in circa 2009. C'mon people....

What do you think? What's the most annoying commercial that comes to mind for you - where you are the intended audience?