Interesting article in the New York Times about how the economy is dictating a shift in message among traditional brand advertisers. For those of us who work primarily in print, this shift is less pronounced. Perhaps difficult economic times offer a silver lining for some print publications who may be perceived by a general public hungry for deals as a good source for saving money on the products they need?

 Here is an excerpt from the Times story:

As the economy rapidly deteriorates from flourishing to floundering, marketers are scrambling to remake their advertising so products seem affordable and sensible rather than indulgent and fabulous. For many big marketers, including automakers, retailers, consumer product companies and even financial services, a major shift in consumer psychology spells an end to the aspirational advertising that has dominated their campaigns for the last decade.

There is a sense that expensive purchases — even if consumers can afford them — have become gauche, said Stephen J. Hoch, professor of marketing and director of the Jay H. Baker Retailing Initiative at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Link to full story