BajaNomad

Mexico Tourism Commercials

jodiego - 9-30-2009 at 10:48 AM

Being retired, I have plenty of time to watch TV commercials and evaluate them for their ability to manipulate the public. So speaking as somewhat of an expert, I am really disappointed by the commercials the Mexican tourism board are showing on San Diego TV. I'm talking about 3 in particular that I have seen. One shows 6 or 7 children lying in the sun on lounge chairs, apparently at a resort hotel somewhere south. Then they all turn over at the same time. The 2nd one features two young ladies in a bar drinking tequila shooters and giggling. The third features some gentleman on a fishing boat , supposedly off La Paz struggling to reel in a big one and having the line break. They all conclude by reminding us not to forget certain things when we make our way to Mexico. Personally speaking, I feel these commercials really miss their mark by not showing the "real" Mexico, which in my opinion are the beaches, the deserts,the wildlife, the food, the resorts, the people, the towns and villages, and all the cultural diversity that make up this beautiful country. Anyone else have any thoughts on the subject.

elgatoloco - 9-30-2009 at 10:57 AM

Watch closely and you will see that they are for Los Cabos so they are targeting that audience.

DENNIS - 9-30-2009 at 11:07 AM

Funny you should mention that. Mexican advertising agencys have a different way of communicating to the public and I'm sure Mexicans have a different way of interpreting what commercials say to them. I see it often on the large roadside signs on the toll road around Rosarito. A beer ad will say things that make no sense and have zero appeal to my way of seeing it but, I'm sure a Mexican would be attracted to it in one way or the other.
Some of the Corona ads on TV are just as senseless to me and I'll bet they are put together by Mexican ad companys.

These are cultural differences and go way beyond advertising. I've had Mexican friends explain the monologue of a comedian which they saw the night before. They related some of the stand-up humor while they were laughing their butts off and it made absolutly no sense to me. This wasn't for anything lost in translation as my friends spoke stateside English.

Anyway.....we're seeing things that were made for us but, not by us. I would think that, for the money they spend, they would be aware of this difference since it largely results in a big waste of time and money.

Woooosh - 9-30-2009 at 11:09 AM

All the ads specifically say "Baja Sur" promoting gringo skin cancer, young people binge drinking and lost sportsman opportunities in the wild- seems kind of like the real mexico to me.

Bajahowodd - 9-30-2009 at 11:14 AM

I'll go with the Los Cabos idea. Advertising costs money and Los Cabos has thousands of rooms to fill. Besides, for many stateside, Baja and Los Cabos are synonymous. Also, although it may not be quite as evident today, not so long ago, the average Mexican took great pride in the modern resort developments like Cabo and Cancun as evidence of Mexico's emergence from third world obscurity.

shari - 9-30-2009 at 11:19 AM

dennis has the right idea...this is the way many mexicanos perceive what foreigners want in mexico. I remember when I brought up the idea of making more accomodations in Asuncion and locals comments were like....why? who would want to come HERE??? they think gringos want big hotels, bars, fancy restaurants etc. (which alot of tourists do by the way).

And dennis was so right about the cultural differences...like those silly tv shows where adults dress up like children...mexican LOVE that and it drives me nuts.

Bajahowodd - 9-30-2009 at 11:23 AM

Kinda wonder if that behavior, which many of us would consider juvenile, is rooted in the historic lack of education of the populace??

mtgoat666 - 9-30-2009 at 11:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jodiego
Personally speaking, I feel these commercials really miss their mark by not showing the "real" Mexico,...
Anyone else have any thoughts on the subject?


well, that type of tourism generates the big $$. the resorts generate large revenues and their organizations can afford to buy advertising time. relative to resort tourism, people camping on the beach contribute very little to the economy.

Dave - 9-30-2009 at 11:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS

Some of the Corona ads on TV are just as senseless to me and I'll bet they are put together by Mexican ad companys.



Corona ads are very effective.

Why else would anyone drink that crap? :rolleyes:

k-rico - 9-30-2009 at 11:35 AM

I always thought the Tijuana travel poster was right on the money. So to speak.

22.jpg - 19kB

I'm Goin'

k-rico - 9-30-2009 at 11:43 AM



senorita-parrot.jpg - 30kB

DENNIS - 9-30-2009 at 11:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Corona ads are very effective.

Why else would anyone drink that crap? :rolleyes:



In the US with a big budget national ad campaign, you could sell pidgeonchit sandwiches and you would generate a following for the delicacy.
All I'm saying is, the ads could be better and even more effective if directed to the US buyer in a different way.
I mean, two young people sitting in beach chairs with a small table between them with untouched bottles of beer. They do that over and over. It's so unrealistic and sterile.

jodiego - 9-30-2009 at 11:55 AM

It's definitely an age thing, but I see tons of photo's here on Baja Nomad that really spark an intense desire for me to head across the border. As recently as Pompano's pictures of Mulege and Conception Bay are absolutely beautiful, even the ones showing the after-effects of Jimena. Someone needs to contact the tourist bureau and clue them in. They have so many wonderful resources that they could utilize to sell baja to us gringo's, and all they show drinking, suntanning, and fishing. Que verguenza.

DENNIS - 9-30-2009 at 12:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Kinda wonder if that behavior, which many of us would consider juvenile, is rooted in the historic lack of education of the populace??


I don't know. I do know that all levels of society like these things we see as childish. Not just the lesser educated.
I've thought at times it may be a result of vaudeville which had later popularity in Mexico due to isolation.
All I know for sure is when I see this seventy year old man dressed as a pre-schooler and talking with an childs voice on TV, I start opening beers.

k-rico - 9-30-2009 at 12:08 PM

The commercials that are being produced reflect what Mexicans think Americans are like and what they like.

I wonder why they think that way?

Don't blame them.

Here's what they produce for themselves:

woody with a view - 9-30-2009 at 12:17 PM

Quote:

like those silly tv shows where adults dress up like children... mexican LOVE that


kinda makes ya wonder ?!?!?!?!

Woooosh - 9-30-2009 at 12:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
... not so long ago, the average Mexican took great pride in the modern resort developments like Cabo and Cancun as evidence of Mexico's emergence from third world obscurity.


and now?

Bajahowodd - 9-30-2009 at 12:21 PM

Dennis- What type of bread do you prefer for your sandwich?:lol:

DENNIS - 9-30-2009 at 01:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
... not so long ago, the average Mexican took great pride in the modern resort developments like Cabo and Cancun as evidence of Mexico's emergence from third world obscurity.


and now?



They found out they weren't allowed on the premisses without a leaf-blower strapped to their back.

DENNIS - 9-30-2009 at 01:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Dennis- What type of bread do you prefer for your sandwich?:lol:


Squaw-b.

Another Straw Grasped At

Bajahowodd - 9-30-2009 at 01:37 PM

Was wondering. Mexico, before European conquest consisted of indiginous tribes who practiced mystical rituals associated with their tradtional beliefs. What with all the costumes and pageantry, could it be that cultural history imbues present day culture with the affinity for such behavior.

DENNIS - 9-30-2009 at 02:20 PM

Most Mexicans I've met will deny the "Indian" part of their heritage. They're all from Spain.

David K - 9-30-2009 at 02:27 PM

Agree with jodiego... really stupid commercials that don't say anything or do well at getting a message across. The no talking Corona commercials do work at getting the easy Mexican vacation life across to you, IMO. Even though I won't buy the stuff!

The guys fishing off Los Cabos hooking up a big one, then the line breaks... that's it... What does it all mean Basel?:lol:

Now, this type of advertising sends a clear message to us Nomads:

Woooosh - 9-30-2009 at 02:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Was wondering. Mexico, before European conquest consisted of indiginous tribes who practiced mystical rituals associated with their tradtional beliefs. What with all the costumes and pageantry, could it be that cultural history imbues present day culture with the affinity for such behavior.

Apocalypto didn't do very well at the box office in Mexico. A little too realistic.

JESSE - 9-30-2009 at 02:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Was wondering. Mexico, before European conquest consisted of indiginous tribes who practiced mystical rituals associated with their tradtional beliefs. What with all the costumes and pageantry, could it be that cultural history imbues present day culture with the affinity for such behavior.


Mexico is far too diverse for that, and that is its problem. The cultural beliefs of people in southern Mexico are as different from the north as Guatemala and Panama are. Mexico lacks a general self identity, even do Mexicans want to pretend our culture is strong, in reality, we don't even know what it is yet.

JESSE - 9-30-2009 at 02:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Was wondering. Mexico, before European conquest consisted of indiginous tribes who practiced mystical rituals associated with their tradtional beliefs. What with all the costumes and pageantry, could it be that cultural history imbues present day culture with the affinity for such behavior.

Apocalypto didn't do very well at the box office in Mexico. A little too realistic.


This is the land of graphic magazines about gruesome deaths, national tv showing shootings and killings. Apocalypto was in fact not very real, thats why it didn't do well here.

JESSE - 9-30-2009 at 02:49 PM

By the way, theres not much to debate here. The Tourism secretary, is run by friends, political allies, and family of the president. Not professional like it should be. So you have a bunch of idiots that can't even speak english properly, trying to create wayts to bring down tourists that have a culture they don't even comprehend. Utter stupidity.

DENNIS - 9-30-2009 at 03:26 PM

I'm still trying to figure out why a beer salesman would want me to, "Stay thirsty, my friends."
If I were directing that XX commercial, I'd be telling everybody to keep drinking 'till their belly blows up. People who stay thirsty arn't using enough of the product.

David K - 9-30-2009 at 04:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
I'm still trying to figure out why a beer salesman would want me to, "Stay thirsty, my friends."
If I were directing that XX commercial, I'd be telling everybody to keep drinking 'till their belly blows up. People who stay thirsty arn't using enough of the product.


Dennis... if you 'STAY thirsty' ... then you continue to drink... trying to quench that thirst.:light:

Bajahowodd - 9-30-2009 at 04:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Was wondering. Mexico, before European conquest consisted of indiginous tribes who practiced mystical rituals associated with their tradtional beliefs. What with all the costumes and pageantry, could it be that cultural history imbues present day culture with the affinity for such behavior.

Apocalypto didn't do very well at the box office in Mexico. A little too realistic.


This is the land of graphic magazines about gruesome deaths, national tv showing shootings and killings. Apocalypto was in fact not very real, thats why it didn't do well here.


In a way, I think you made my point.

As for "stay thirsty", curious that it's Jewish-American actor playing the part. Personally, I think the commercials are funny.

DENNIS - 9-30-2009 at 04:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K

Dennis... if you 'STAY thirsty' ... then you continue to drink... trying to quench that thirst.:light:



OK David....I'll buy that but, with reservations.:?:

DENNIS - 9-30-2009 at 05:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd

As for "stay thirsty", curious that it's Jewish-American actor playing the part. Personally, I think the commercials are funny.


Who is that grizzled ol' wino, anyway? He's supposed to be wining and dining his great grand daughters after a day of sky diving and ultimate fighting. Just something else that makes no sense. That ol' coot should be advertising Pampers For Men.
Why is it in most of these beer commercials you never see the star or starlet drinking the stuff? Maybe they really don't like it and haven't stayed thirsty.

Bajahowodd - 9-30-2009 at 05:07 PM

FCC rules. No actual imbibing on TV.

DENNIS - 9-30-2009 at 05:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
FCC rules. No actual imbibing on TV.


Couldn't they fake it? Billy Mays would have faked it.

Wow

wessongroup - 9-30-2009 at 06:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
By the way, theres not much to debate here. The Tourism secretary, is run by friends, political allies, and family of the president. Not professional like it should be. So you have a bunch of idiots that can't even speak english properly, trying to create wayts to bring down tourists that have a culture they don't even comprehend. Utter stupidity.


Excellent!... Ahhhh, by the way do you have any thoughts on this...:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

k-rico - 9-30-2009 at 06:30 PM

Still exploring the Picasa software. Great stuff. Uploading an album is just a tiny part of it.

Travel Posters Ahead.

Bajahowodd - 9-30-2009 at 10:58 PM

Great slide show, rico. Must say that from my perspective I saw a great deal of "indian" influence in it. That certainly contrasts with what Dennis mentioned, which is also true- that perhaps like most Western cultures, there has seemingly always been an effort to be "fair".

Billy Mays would have loved it.

Picasa

wessongroup - 9-30-2009 at 11:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
Still exploring the Picasa software. Great stuff. Uploading an album is just a tiny part of it.

Travel Posters Ahead.


Hey k-rico thanks, has cool features.. have put up something, but it is not related to Baja travel but to Germany...

A juxaposition of old vs new.. did not have enough pictures of Baja/Mexico.. could be a good topic

new vs old

[Edited on 10-1-2009 by wessongroup]

DENNIS - 10-1-2009 at 10:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Great slide show, rico. Must say that from my perspective I saw a great deal of "indian" influence in it.


Quote:
Most Mexicans I've met will deny the "Indian" part of their heritage. They're all from Spain.


My reference was to lineage.

Bajahowodd - 10-1-2009 at 11:00 AM

Also known as the Ricardo Montalban syndrome.:P

[Edited on 10-1-2009 by Bajahowodd]

David K - 10-2-2009 at 08:10 AM

When I was real small, my parents and I took the train to Chihuahua from Texas and then down the 'Copper Canyon' to Los Mochis and back... 200 tunnels and 200 bridges (it seemed like)... The train hit a cow, and caused a delay... The railroad was brand new and my folks had some time to kill while waiting for my dad's boat to be finished... Cool experience, I think it was about 1963...?

DENNIS - 10-2-2009 at 09:05 AM

Railroads were the primary mover of troops throughout Mexico, especially the North, during the Revolution.

Just thought ya might wanna know. :cool:

elgatoloco - 10-2-2009 at 09:42 AM

In San Diego there have been commercials on the radio for quite a few years touting Mexico tourism including Baja, it has only been the last year or so that they have people reading them that can actually pronounce the names of places correctly. This guero always got a good laugh and I always told the wife I was going to call in and get an audition.

"the Mexican tourism board invites you"

Stay thirsty my friends!!

fdt - 10-2-2009 at 11:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jodiego
Personally speaking, I feel these commercials really miss their mark by not showing the "real" Mexico, which in my opinion are the beaches, the deserts,the wildlife, the food, the resorts, the people, the towns and villages, and all the cultural diversity that make up this beautiful country. Anyone else have any thoughts on the subject.

Well, we're trying to do just that. http://vivabajacalifornia.com/

JESSE - 10-2-2009 at 11:59 AM

Those commercials, are plain proof at the level of corruption and incompetence of our goverment. They where created and paid for, not with the goal of atracting tourists, but with the goal of some big fat goverment official to show his bosses, that he is actually working and earning his ridiculously high salary.

To the best of my knowledge, foreign companies always hire local advertisers who understand what their market expects, and likes. I bet the commercials where planned by some clueless chilango who doesn't understand anything other than what he knows from watching american movies.