Fascinating. There are nearly no Christmas advertisements this 12 months in Lebanon. In fact 2024 has been something however a traditional 12 months, because the promoting sector was hit by disaster after disaster since 2019. I’ve catalogued and spoken about them too many instances to rely on this web page. And 2024 has fared no higher what’s with – actually – the warfare that has been occurring (strive right here and right here and right here). How are advert businesses persevering with is sort of a thriller.
Certain, some have been branching in direction of the gulf, others are recruiting new folks for a pittance, as shoppers squeeze budgets additional and businesses attempt to decrease their overhead in all attainable methods. Working remotely has been one risk, as a result of the pandemic proved it was doable and attainable. You may argue until the cows come dwelling about how that is attainable in an trade based mostly on brainstorming, however once more, nothing Zoom calls (or Google meets, or Groups) and a WhatsApp group can’t treatment. Disaster may be subtle by way of messages, talks and the previous adage – this assembly may have been an electronic mail – are actually turning into emails.
In fact, none of this cures the ails of the advert businesses in Lebanon. However someway everybody is constant on a wing and a prayer. For higher or for worse. If the advertisements I noticed round city are any indicator, they’re extremely few and in between. Naturally, what has occurred left everybody in an un-festive temper. After struggling blow after blow since 2019 – and they’re too many to rely (monetary disaster? examine. Explosion? examine. Pandemic? examine. No president since October 2022? examine. Conflict and displacement? examine. Refugees? examine). Yearly brings its personal hopes, 2023 was supposed the 12 months the place issues would begin re-emerging. Yeah, proper. As we plunge in unending points which engulf the nation on all fronts, the “bala dmegh” angle I spoke of earlier (right here) appears to be the guiding mild for everybody and – oddly – I’m right here for it regardless of that very mental streak I’m cursed/blessed with.
The chocolate advert above is essentially the most outstanding marketing campaign I’ve seen recently on the OOH sector. It does inform you a large number in regards to the temper of the nation.
