Every time I see the Nationwide Insurance commercial with the Julia Roberts voiceover talking about all the people driving safely in “the nation” it makes me smile. I just love seeing people through that lens.
Then a friend sent me a book called The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor and it seemed to reinforce my reaction to the ad. It got me thinking this week about all the work I did to become more glass half-full than half-empty.
Today’s Game Plan: Do You Brake for Squirrels?
I’ve heard the “break for squirrels ad” a couple of dozen times. It seems like an “I brake for Squirrels and Liberals” ad. One phrase in the ad drives me nuts. It’s like Roberts insisted that it be included or she wouldn’t voice it. But, of course, being the liberal she is, it’s not a surprise.
Roberts proudly proclaims “we don’t have stockholders,” as though they are filthy predators. I’ve had a little editing experience in sound and it sounds to me like she voiced over the “stockholder line”. I don’t believe it was in the original ad. She couldn’t possibly be found to be promoting “stockholders. I gag every time I hear it, and it proves that liberals want to push their anti-business agenda no matter what they’re doing. I’d be surprised if Roberts doesn’t have a portfolio with lots of stockholders.
Interesting take, Rand. That a corporation would let an actor dictate a major marketing strategy. I guess we know where you fall in that whole glass half-full thing.
Hi Nancy, I am a super-optimistic glass half full person, but while a financial guy and not an insurance expert 45 years of driving tells me that braking for squirrels, while a sign of empathy and kindness is not wise and causes more accidents and insurance claims than running the little suckers over if they don’t get out of the way. Further, I agree with the guy who questioned the “shareholders” thing. What a dumb anti-business remark to make. Anyone who has a 401 k, IRA, owns insurance, has a pension or money in the bank is a shareholder either directly or indirectly. Nationwide is just sucking up to the leftists who believe corporations and the whole market structure are evil.