allusions

Gasp! Shock! and Awe! The advertisors have found a new way to break through the clutter of ads already showering our culture. The newest way? Baby billboards.

According to this article, Michele Hutchison has recently agreed to allow different companies to “buy ad space” on her expected baby boy Devon. Only “wholesome” things will do: no cussing, sexual inuendos, alchohol, drugs…Michele makes an interesing point, “‘We put Old Navy on my son every day,’ Hutchison said of her 5-year-old firstborn, Dylan. ‘We’re advertising that for free.’” I’ve seen many babies covered in Nike, Hilfiger, Old Navy and any number of designer garb.

So, for the month of July, little baby Deven will be sporting an ad for the highest bidder on ebay, and parents will be quite a few dollars richer.

My opinion at first was somewhat mixed. I thought it was sad that a mother was “selling” her child. However, I also saw no harm in it. Then I figured that it really boiled down to this. The feeling of pity that I had was not for the mother, but for the others seeking to find such innovative ways to reach the public, resorting to a baby’s onsey right next to the spit up stain is rather low. However, they have gotten to that point. And it’s nearly impossible to buy any clothing that doesn’t advertise for someone or something. What’s wrong with parents starting a college fund using their child’s first “earnings?”