Re: How much did BS advertising like this hurt Packard?

Posted by su8overdrive On 2012/4/5 3:25:59

Archbishop O'Toole-- oh, um, pardon me, JW --- formal salutations just come naturally on such an ecclesiastical site as PackardInfo.com ----

---i mean Dr. O'Toole, couldn't agree with you more about Packard's advertising, compared with GM (& others) being "lame." Packard's early ads are fine, as are their theme ads throughout the '20s. The early '30s, at least through '34, had such gems as Peter Helck's impressive "Hush" for the '33 Twelve.

But from the late '30s on, Packard's ads, including those for the seniors, became increasingly more bush league, trying too hard. I agree with Drs. Cole, 55Guy, and others above. Some of the 1940 ads are embarrassing, downright corny, trying too hard to reach Mr. and Mrs. Mainstreet, like a silver spoon politician campaigning in a pair of new Levis.

And the bathtub ad headed "The Wizard of Ahs." Really?
Ugh. Gag me with a spoon. I'm sure. Grody to the max.

Sad. The cars deserved better, at least 'til the bathtubs and '50s also-rans.