I’m more a Newsweek person. Although I’ve tried to read the Economist before, even tried subscribing for a few months, but being a visual person it was tough slugging through all those unbroken columns of texts. The general impression I got from the magazine was no-nonsense facts and useful information without the fluff.
Their advertising, however, shows a level of wit and humor that I wish their publication had. These examples prove to me that it’s possible to be advertise a serious brand without losing your sense of humor.
Check out this post on the mental floss blog and tell me what you think.
I think that some of the ads could do with an explanation, as the text is probably too hard to read for a lot of people. The first one however is excellent. I like it a lot.
True,
the one’s in particular that I like are but might be a bit tough to read are:
“Look before you leap” written on the top of an all red bus. I wonder if the bus was already red or if they splurged for the whole thing.
“I never read the Economist” – Management trainee age 42
That one’s particularly cheeky and of the same vein as some WSJ TV spots aired a few years back. Basically saying, you’re smart if you read us, dumb if you don’t.
you should give the economist another chance. they actually use a lot of very, VERY dry humor in their editorial as well.
it’s my favorite news magazine by a long shot, largely because they don’t pretend to be objective. they have a very clear point of view (100% diehard free marketers) that i happen to agree with, and they make no bones about it. i also think they’re a lot more critical than newsweek, time, etc, usually looking another layer deeper and asking the tough questions where the other magazines don’t (for example, their article on “ethical food” a few months back).
just my $.02, though.
Hey Finn,
thanks for the recommendation. You’ve successfully convinced me to give it a second try. Did you immediately fall in love with the Economist or was it an acquired taste?