The impact of advertising decades later

October 13, 2017

“Tahiti looks nice” I grew up with an ad for imperial leather soap where a family are having luxurious baths and the women says “Tahiti looks nice” the husband then picks up his phone and says “Simon – Tahiti” and then the ad zooms out to a view of a plane turning around.

That ad created an impression on me, that until the other week, I have always believed.  Then I cruised into Tahiti on a luxury cruise ship and:  DISAPPOINTMENT – Papeete – Tahiti was terrible.  On the hillside were abandoned Hilton and Sheraton hotels that were decaying. The place was depressive and no signs of innovation or get up and go (e.g. why were the hotels abandoned and not turned into hospitals, schools or even housing for the homeless?).

It fascinated me how one ad could have created in me so much imagery that I retained for years. It fascinated me how something that was once glorious (I assume) allowed decay to eat away and let itself slide backwards…

Luckily Moreea and Bora Bora more than made up for Papeete:-)