Great post [USER=14637]@Yorkieguy[/USER]
Hadn't heard of Elmer Wheeler so will look that up, thanks. Is that where the phrase Wheeler Dealer came from? 
Edward Bernays is another fascinating figure from around the same time, dubbed the father of PR. Most famous for his PR shenanigans in increasing tobacco sales by making it acceptable/cool/liberating/desirable for women to smoke, especially in public. Having Sigmund Freud as an uncle wouldn't have hindered him in understanding the human mind and how to tap into the mass psyche to engineer wants and desires.
They know what they're doing these advertisers.
That was my point previously, but it was knocked back with the example of the Ford Fiesta. I'm not sure whether that was a rare anomaly or adverts were pretty much as sizzle then as they are now. I'd guess the latter, but would be interesting to hear more examples of informative ads. I certainly don't remember the man delivering the Milk Tray telling the sexy recipient what the ingredients were, what the health risks were (diabetes, anyone?), what flavours were available in the box, etc.
Also a good point re branding within companies, especially in an age of monopolies and mergers. Can't stand the Bold advert? Ariel advert has you reaching for the remote control? Vote with your wallet and buy Lenor then. That'll teach Proctor and Gamble a lesson, owner of all three.
And when you do happen to find an alternative from a different parent company, and really can run toward the alternative and vote with your wallet in disgust that an advert doesn't suit your style or aesthetic, you can high five the other consumers running in the opposite direction...
