Can you go too far when marketing stereotypes?
Here's an example of an ad that ran in the latest Super Bowl, that some people, including many media critics, are saying does just that...
Other people, including Jamaica's minister of tourism and entertainment, Wykeham McNeill, think it's great.
"I urge persons all across the globe to do exactly what the commercial portrays, which is to tap into your inner Jamaican and get happy," he said.
On a music related note, McNeill also commented on musician Jimmy Cliff's background music calling it, "a tribute to the popularity of reggae music worldwide" and commending Cliff for being "a true Jamaican ambassador through his outstanding music."
To answer my initial question, yes, you can go too far when playing up stereotypes in your marketing. Whether that's happening in this ad, I'll let you decide.
My point in using it as an example is that no matter what you do, somebody is going to be pissed. And sometimes it's not even the people who are actually affected by your actions.
This type of criticism can be confusing. If you're not clear on why you're doing something before you do it, it can throw you off and make you question yourself.
When that happens, it slows everything down.
I think criticism can be a very positive thing. For example, if write a "bad" song, criticism can point you in the right direction to make it better.
You're an artist though... And, if you're reading this, you're hopefully working at a level where your inner critic has helped you to filter the "bad" songs before they're ever released.
This is the positive aspect of an inner critic and why you should work to develop yours. A positive inner critic works as a filter. This helps to make sure, once you do release something, that you're ready to go balls out with it, moving through the criticism of others with ease.
Why wouldn't you move through the criticism of others with ease? Sure, criticism can hurt at times. I didn't say EASY though -- I said ease.
If your project has gotten to the point where you're releasing it to the public, you should have already gone through (and resolved) any major problems yourself.
I encourage you to embrace your inner critic and use it as a filter to make your best work possible. If you are able to control it, it will help you to deal with the criticism of others that automatically comes whenever something is publicly accessible.