And before we get started let me say that I get it. Ok?  Men have been in control since the dawn of time, and just because I am male doesn’t entitle me to much of anything.  Times have changed.  Attitudes have changed.  And in the change men, such as I am, have been pushed to the corner.  If we don’t fit into the category of “Car Guys”, or “Gun Guys”, or “Hunting Guys”, or “Gay Guys”, we are sorely out of luck when it comes to news.

Yes, I am whining about the media and its lack of relevance to me and to men like me.  I understand that it all comes down to dollars and cents.  That if I am not out buying guns, or cars, or automotive parts, or grooming products and designer clothing no one really wants to talk to me.

Women are the ones the the marketing companies want to talk to right now.  It has been estimated that women control 80% of household spending.

Holy crap that is a lot of money.  So consequently, advertising companies are going to gear their pitch to women.  And guys are going to have to be content with the half-hearted, low-brow commercials that we are given.  Fraught with explosions, boobs, and being made to look like idiots.

And that offends me.  When I want to read something interesting, and entertaining on a Sunday morning I don’t care about who Johnny Depp is engaged to, who what what movie award, what celebrity was seen at the beach in a bikini, what celebrities are doing period.  Those things just do not interest me.

So what does?  What makes a difference to me?  How can you sell to guys like me?  Well, first cut out trying to make a connection with me.  I understand marketing, and when I feel pandered to, or manipulated I am out of here.  Quit trying to make me think that that 20-something model could be interested in me if I purchase your product.  It skeeves me out because all I can think of is that I have two daughters of my own, and it makes me really not happy to think of guys my age looking at them that way.  I’m interested in saving money, and living a long healthy life.  Treat me like an adult and you have my business.

Is that too much to ask for?

What are your thoughts about all of this?  Do you approve of the way commercials are made and presented?  Do you think I am being a whiney old man?  Drop me a note and let’s talk about it.

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