Sometimes when I'm watching TV I like to play “Guess the Product or Service”. Here's how it works. An ad comes on, you immediately turn the sound off, then see how long it takes you to guess what they're selling. Now obviously, if the name of the place comes up right away, don't bother, although I find that usually only happens with fast foods. Then we have no-brainers, like if people are playing roulette or slots, it's a casino. Car ads always start with cars. Duh. We're talking about more subtle things here, like:
If it's a senior-citizen couple sitting at a table looking at a laptop with worried expressions, that's either life insurance or health insurance.
It it's a fast-action outdoor scene involving high-risk activities like rock climbing, underwater cave exploring, or hang gliding, that's a prescription drug.
If it's one or two middle-aged men in suits pointing their fingers at you, that's a law firm.
If it's a guy in overalls with a field behind him, that's either natural foods or a natural food supplement. (Or it could be a political ad, depending.)
If it's a guy in pajamas looking distressed into the bathroom mirror, that's a laxative.
If it's a guy using a BBQ grill, it's probably an antacid.
If it's a guy wearing a baseball cap in front of a white van, it's a plumber, or electrician, or AC/heating service. (No cheating! If you read the words on the van it doesn't count.)
If it's a senior citizen man wearing a cardigan and holding a cup of coffee, watching his wife plant flowers – that's a bank or stock broker (retirement accounts).
If there's a cat in the ad, it's for cat food. If there's a dog in the ad, it could be for anything because dogs are a prop. (And BTW, you'll never see a cat and a dog in the same ad, because there is no overlap in the demographics they're aiming at.)
If people watching TV suddenly jump up and run around waving their arms, that's a lottery.
Got any more? Put them in comments!
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