Last week I noted the use of the "social progress" frame as articulated by Michael J. Fox in campaign commercials running this election season (go here and here.)
Dems are not the first to employ this selective definition of science for promotional purposes, drug companies have been doing it for many years in direct-to-consumer advertising campaigns. Perhaps the most visible commercials right now are a series of testimonials run by Bristol Myers Squibb, with ads featuring Lance Armstrong and Lynn Redgrave.
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The American Medical Association has called for a temporary ban on all direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription drugs. Sounds 'elitist'? Well, so are professional sports. But only an idiot would trust Madison Avenue over his or her doctor. (an aside: I'm not an MD. I just have the…
It's been a long and very busy week on campus, with several major articles in the works, and midterm grading in full swing. Yet I had to weigh in briefly on the relevance of framing to understanding the controversy this week over the Michael J. Fox stem cell ad. Press play above.
Like many…
Genetech is running ads in the NY Times, The New Yorker, and on their Web site that feature patients offering testimonials framed in social progress terms. The campaign is similar to the Bristol Myers Squib TV ads I described here. In a smart strategic move, the ad campaign "re-frames" the issue…
And what an unflattering light it is.
It occurs to me that often, when I write about the pharmaceutical
industry, I have something negative to say. Really, my thoughts
are not all negative. It's just that it is easier to come up with
criticisms when responding to news items.
Anyway, this…
Given a choice between the feel-good courageousness of Armstrong and a frenetic yellow anthropomorphic nail fungus or a guy confidently nailing the hole in the tire swing while his adoring and satisfied wife looks on, I'll take Lance any day.
Go here: http://www.commarts.com/CA/exhibit/050399/
Redgrave saying, "I want to die" is very close to plagiarism ... unless they paid Crispin Porter for the copyright that is.