In difficult times, run-of-the-mill brands get their time to shine

One more grim yet quaint signal of our tenuous economic situation has made landfall: Companies are advertising common household brands more heavily over fancier gourmet items. Things like Kool-Aid, Hamburger Helper, Land 'O Lakes butter (which just launched its first TV ad campaign in 10 years) and even Spam have seen more spending of late, as their parent companies try to keep name brands visible and capitalize on the recession-wary shopper. And while it's hardly revolutionary to adopt a simpler, more comforting tone when consumers are worried about going broke, people still appreciate it, if quotes like "I like the messages out there. It's less focused on consumerism and buying the best" are any indication. Hopefully the economy will pick up before we start seeing ads like "Alpo Classic Chunky: You know, this stuff isn't bad." Photo: Robert S. Donovan.

—Posted by David Kiefaber