I love this photo from Dr. Sketchy’s in Houston. And I realize this is a talented model playing a role. Yet it reminded me of a famous story from the history of public relations that few are aware of. Bernays was truly a double edged sword.
From the BBC article on Edward Bernays.
Bernays was one of the main architects of the modern techniques of mass-consumer persuasion, using every trick in the book, from celebrity endorsement and outrageous PR stunts, to eroticising the motorcar.
His most notorious coup was breaking the taboo on women smoking by persuading them that cigarettes were a symbol of independence and freedom. But Bernays was convinced that this was more than just a way of selling consumer goods. It was a new political idea of how to control the masses. By satisfying the inner irrational desires that his uncle had identified, people could be made happy and thus docile.
First off, love the photo of course
Secondly, reading about Bernays has really shifted my understanding and appreciation of true influencers and, well, the power of seemingly innocuous propaganda.
Interesting that a man could be so loved by tobacco companies and ‘liberated’ women (with their ‘torches of freedom’) at the same time – and even more fascinating that a single man could inspire both Joseph Goebbels and American anti- Guetamalan patriots with the same fury.
From fluoride in our water to hairnets to bananas… what a fascinating character! Makes me feel a little unaccomplished – any ideas on some point of major public opinion that we can completely spin, Ed? Great post
Posted on February 27, 2008 at 8:51 pm.