What's Next? Thong Depends?

By Guest Blogger, Mary Schmidt, Marketing Troubleshooter

I always grin when I see the commercial with Dennis Hopper pitching retirement planning (but, what is the name of the company? I'm so focused on the entertainment, I can't retain the company name.) Yeah, like Wow Man!  We need to hit the open road, dream big, have a plan! Uh? Have a plan? Wild-eyed Easy Rider Hopper?

Us Baby Boomers are definitely not going gently into the good night.  We may not be able to burn the candle at both ends any more, but we still want to  think of ourselves as flaming wild risk takers...who have a plan.  We want to be responsible yet spontaneous.  Wear dentures...and make out like teenagers in the back of a limo (another commercial that tweaks my grin-meter). Play hard...and be in bed (asleep) by 10 (after we've plugged in the Blackberry, iPhone and iPod to sync and recharge...)  Etc. etc. 

So, marketers have a tough job.  They've got to appeal to our inner wild child AND our inner grown-up.  Quite a challenge. 

One personal example - all those funky reading glasses I buy in bulk - because I keep forgetting where I put them.  Polka dots, wild colors, etc.   The last time I went to Jazz Fest, most of the crowd at one stage was my age or older - and we were all up and gyrating, clapping, whoooo-whooooing.  Then when the set finished, we  - almost as one - dug out our reading glasses so we could read the schedule for the next pulsating, hot n' nasty R&B set.   

So, any company that wants to market to the "little old ladies" would do well to remember, "Grandmas just wanta have fun!" (And do it while saving the planet.)

P.S.  I'm not joking - I'm sure we'll see "fun" Depends one of these days. June Allyson, move over for Angelina! ;-) (I know one 60-year-old that still wears tiny little mini-skirts and has a - um - problem.  She'd be first in line for those thongs!)

Related Post: Marketing To Us Bag Ladies

Happy Friday!  Go have some wild and responsible fun this weekend (I may even hit the open road...in my boxy Jeep...after taking my vitamins, finding my reading glasses, and making sure my gas tank is full.)

Comments

[Ms. Yingling]

I think the world needs some stereotypical little old ladies. Since I am a librarian, that's the look I'm going for. I couldn't do hip at 15, much less now. If Grandmas are wearing tiny minis, hasn't the advertising community won their battle to glorify youth? Long live the pleated, calf-length skirt!

[Jen]

Just found your blog and love it! thanks for the informative read.

Jen
pinkgolftees.com
Everything Golf, For Women

[Barbara Ling (aka Owlbert)]

Age is but a number - the real measurement should be the lightness of one's spirit. And based upon my current activities, I'm getting younger every week! :)

Barbara

[Yvonne DiVita]

Mary, I don't know how you do it but you make me laugh and learn at the same time. This post is priceless! Here's one Grandma who's with you all the way. (NO, I will not be wearing a depends thong! LOL)