Northern Gateway propaganda tugs at the heart

by Charlie Smith on July 27th, 2012 at 2:19 PM

Below, you'll see one of those 30-second Enbridge ads about the Northern Gateway Project.

Enbridge goes on the offensive.

The ad starts with an inspiring, upbeat musical track and the words: "It's a path to prosperity."

We see happy kids and healthy wildlife, all designed to make us feel good about a project already under fire from the premier and the Opposition leader.

But can an ad be too slick? Or does it strike the right tone?

It sounded to me like the final two words, "our future", were almost childlike, which stood in contrast to the voicing of much of the rest of the ad. It shows the lengths to which corporate producers will go to shape our perceptions.

If you have any thoughts on this, feel free to fill in the comment space below. I'm interested in hearing what effect, if any, this spot had on your view of the Northern Gateway proposal.

(The Georgia Straight has not received any advertising revenue from Enbridge.)

Comments

10 Comments

Forward thinker

Jul 27, 2012 at 3:36pm

Too slick is right and untruthful to boot

hAYOKA

Jul 27, 2012 at 4:18pm

It's a path to the destruction of our environment
It's a path that will cause the suffering of our children
It's a path to the greedy 1% getting more blotted & powerful
It's a path that leads to a hell on earth

DavidH

Jul 27, 2012 at 5:49pm

This is clearly an ad designed to please the buyer (Enbridge), and has no hope of influencing the viewer in a positive way.

For an ad to be even remotely credible, it has to have some relationship with reality. Trying to connect butterflies, birds and clear mountain streams with the sludge we pump into our cars simply defies our collective reality. We all know it isn't true. Even the people who WORK in the oil industry know that ... except for the ivory-tower types who approve ad budgets.

It's always smarter to say nothing than to tell an obvious lie. The Enbridge "madmen" clearly haven't learned that fundamental truth.

DsHK

Jul 27, 2012 at 7:51pm

I can't get enough of "build global alliances" Are we going to fight alongside China in WWIII?

Thanks goodness the radio ads have been silenced. I haven't heard this crap in a couple weeks...wooo!

3D in 2D

Jul 27, 2012 at 10:27pm

The ad has the look and feel of tampon commercial. This is bizarre.

miguel

Jul 28, 2012 at 10:29am

If Enbridge is involved in our future, then it is one with lots of oil spills.
Miguel

Zen Cat

Jul 28, 2012 at 5:24pm

My Road To Prosperity is independent from your Gateway Pipeline to Hell. I strongly oppose your fucking gateway pipeline to hell. Whenever I see and hear your attempts to brainwash the general public with your advertisements I repeat this Mantra. My Road to prosperity is independent from your gateway pipeline to hell. Your paradise is not for me. Without pure air, water, sea and land
Our Earth will no longer be.

hg

Jul 28, 2012 at 6:26pm

I would nominate the actress for an Oscar, for mouthing such obvious lies in a convincing voice.
hg

adam g

Jul 31, 2012 at 1:12pm

Dear Enbridge, define "Low Environmental Impact".

Zen Cat

Aug 4, 2012 at 5:35pm

when the politicians are incapable of being accountable and responsible to the people and no longer represent the voice of the people, we the people must voice what must be said.

Dear Al Monaco, President, Enbridge Inc., I am adding my voice to the strong opposition the Northern Gateway Pipelines project and respectfully request and urge you to immediately withdraw this project without further delay. Your company's Northern Gateway Pipelines project will put every ecosystem and species across British Columbia, Alberta at risk. Your company cannot contain any oil spill on land or sea and we cannot gamble with the our streams, rivers and lakes that flow into the pacific ocean off the coast of British Columbia,. We do not want to jeopardize our home, our life and our environment. We do not want your proposal by any scope of the imagination because supertankers carrying toxic oil from the Tar Sands are not worth what we already have. In order to sustain and protect our environment which includes pure air, pure water, uncontaminated earth and the life supported therein, we cannot accept your gamble.
Please stop. It's your turn to change. Thank You.