Dan Neil is one of the most talented writers I’ve ever come across…..and he typically writes about cars. Somehow he manages to weave philosophy, the arts, automotive history, and the magical hold that cars have on so many of us into most of his reviews. I’ve followed him for years and he’s the only commentator on the automotive industry, that I know of, who has referred to Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and Hegel to help illustrate the principles supporting design theory. He writes for the LA Times and if you get a chance, (and you love cars) you can check him out at the LA Times online.
In the article below he writes about a fascinating spot that Burger King is priming for: NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart will publically declare his love of the Whopper while hooked up to a polygraph. Most of us don’t really believe that celebrity spokespeople really use the products they endorse or that they shop at Target but we accept the possibility that they might as part of our pact with not only the celebrity but with the advertiser. We suspend disbelief.
Mr. Neil’s article is ripe with social commentary regarding advertiser/audience relationships, and the effects the recession is having on that dynamic.
You can read the Dan Neil’s article here.
