http://www.desimanifesto.com/general-electric-american-media-india-hope/2008-04-14 A humorous and edgy desi blog, diary, message board, and forum for stories, fiction, editorials, op eds, and articles by and for Indian men born in the US, India, and abroad. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:43:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://www.desimanifesto.com/general-electric-american-media-india-hope/2008-04-14#comment-409 dbals Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:26:35 +0000 http://www.desimanifesto.com/general-electric-american-media-india-hope/2008-04-14#comment-409 It is one of the best ads I've seen. It would have caught my attention even if they had picked another country. This ad best demonstrates the product's application - what an ad is supposed to do. The genuine need and use of a portable, compact machine is shown. The hidden message - GE develops these machines for reasons other than just to save space or comfort rich doctors. Very touching indeed. As far as depicting India in media goes, it has changed drasticaly. Until 8 years back, I remember, everytime, there was a news about India in BBC World news, irrespective of the content, they would show the reporter speaking from the side of the road with a cow/calf/buffalo in the background freely crossing the road or, even worse, lying in the middle of the road or a guy driving a cow cart. If it's none of the above, the reporter will be standing next to a snake charmer. I have wondered how did this guy manage to find straying cows or snake charmers when I don't see them often in my sub-urban roads. If one is forming their opinion from these reports, he would think India is full of snake charmers or the Indian roads are infested with cows. I guess they do this just to make the viewing part more "entertaining" for a foreigner. Once an american friend told me - there must be lots of snakes and snake charmers in India.  That was all she knew about the country.  But now, the media is at the other extreme. It's all about the neo rich. New cars Indians drive and the fancy new IT buildings and the stylish IT workers. Message is look! look! it's growing! growing!. It's like every Indian is now rich and working in an IT related companies. It's funny when my american collegues comment, with an envy, Man India is getting rich!  Neither is good. As both doesn't show what is true. And media is least interested to do that. All it needs is to captivate the viewer anyway they can, by sticking to what the current popular thought is. It is one of the best ads I’ve seen. It would have caught my attention even if they had picked another country. This ad best demonstrates the product’s application - what an ad is supposed to do. The genuine need and use of a portable, compact machine is shown. The hidden message - GE develops these machines for reasons other than just to save space or comfort rich doctors. Very touching indeed.
As far as depicting India in media goes, it has changed drasticaly. Until 8 years back, I remember, everytime, there was a news about India in BBC World news, irrespective of the content, they would show the reporter speaking from the side of the road with a cow/calf/buffalo in the background freely crossing the road or, even worse, lying in the middle of the road or a guy driving a cow cart. If it’s none of the above, the reporter will be standing next to a snake charmer. I have wondered how did this guy manage to find straying cows or snake charmers when I don’t see them often in my sub-urban roads. If one is forming their opinion from these reports, he would think India is full of snake charmers or the Indian roads are infested with cows. I guess they do this just to make the viewing part more “entertaining” for a foreigner. Once an american friend told me - there must be lots of snakes and snake charmers in India.  That was all she knew about the country.
 But now, the media is at the other extreme. It’s all about the neo rich. New cars Indians drive and the fancy new IT buildings and the stylish IT workers. Message is look! look! it’s growing! growing!. It’s like every Indian is now rich and working in an IT related companies. It’s funny when my american collegues comment, with an envy, Man India is getting rich!
 Neither is good. As both doesn’t show what is true. And media is least interested to do that. All it needs is to captivate the viewer anyway they can, by sticking to what the current popular thought is.

]]> http://www.desimanifesto.com/general-electric-american-media-india-hope/2008-04-14#comment-199 Prabhat Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:18:08 +0000 http://www.desimanifesto.com/general-electric-american-media-india-hope/2008-04-14#comment-199 I have to agree that this ad subtly but more honestly portrays India and her multiple facets. But more than that what impresses me is the willingness on part of GE to invest in such goodwill commercials that may not generate any direct renevue for them. I believe this type of advertising has richer rewards in long term as they build the brand. I have to agree that this ad subtly but more honestly portrays India and her multiple facets. But more than that what impresses me is the willingness on part of GE to invest in such goodwill commercials that may not generate any direct renevue for them. I believe this type of advertising has richer rewards in long term as they build the brand.

]]> http://www.desimanifesto.com/general-electric-american-media-india-hope/2008-04-14#comment-198 maheshprenath Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:07:48 +0000 http://www.desimanifesto.com/general-electric-american-media-india-hope/2008-04-14#comment-198 excellent.  the best of india in a forthright portrayal.  i don't know that we'll see such fine work in any 100% American made program, but this certainly is a fine start. excellent.  the best of india in a forthright portrayal.  i don’t know that we’ll see such fine work in any 100% American made program, but this certainly is a fine start.

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