In the upcoming elections there’s no choice at all. Everyone wants to go along with the status quo but play with this a bit or more or that – apart from those consumed political, economic and social migration.. There’s a huge issue that we need to address. How much longer are we going to let… Continue reading…
The March of the OGPs
Today in many key markets a few big companies – Oligopolists (OGPs) – dominate with their heavily and continually advertised Brands. These ‘Brands’ can generate huge profits through large profit margins Brand builders, who generate a massive profit margin, through perceived value. This perception is driven by huge marketing spends. In many key market places:… Continue reading…
Watch Dog?
The government uses ‘regulators’ aka ‘Watch Dogs’ to ensure that the OGPs don’t exploit their market position. The Banks, for instance, were over-seen by some 3,000+ employees of the Financial Services Authority – where over 200 were paid in excess of £100K. To attract the best, of course. The FSAs had a jaw dropping ability… Continue reading…
It’s Legal
Of course structuring businesses to minimize tax liability is legal, but such action runs contrary to the spirit and social commitment that Tax law embodies and shines a light on the soul(less) of OGPs. We should be very wary of such powerful international businesses with such little regard to individual and societal morals. It is… Continue reading…
See their Soul
As Walkers Crisps new owners re-structure and the brands profits gets sucked abroad how do the brand managers deal with consumers? They pay the gurning Gary Lineker (ex-sportsman turned presenter turned face of crisp) to once again star in their adds that tell the story of how British the brand is! Gary your ears should… Continue reading…
Control Dem
Heavy weight advertising of habit forming and addictive substances must be subject to control via taxation on certain levels of marketing spend. Advertising spend should be taxed on a sliding scale, with a zero tax rate up until 1.5% of marketing spend against turnover, after which point a sliding scale of Tax would apply. All… Continue reading…
Upsetting the Mad Men
Such a Tax will create resentment from highly paid and powerful people. The Advertising industry will throw their luxury toys out of their designer prams. How come we reward those that induce us to eat, drink and consume their brands on a continuous basis so much, when it costs us so dear? Who said that… Continue reading…
Try this Flava
The tax should be ring fenced by originating sector: Food & Drink businesses taxation goes to the NHS. Fashion and Glamour to Teaching. You see what I mean. Old principle: The polluter pays. This time these companies are polluting society’s consumers. ‘Drink moderately’, ‘As Part of a balanced diet’, ‘Gamble responsibly’ but in the mean… Continue reading…
Never mind the Etonians
The last Five years has seen a parade of Oligopolistic Press Barons, Bankers, Politicians caught with their hands in the cookie jar – in an alarming display of self interest through little regard to morals and / or laws. Who goes to the ‘G’ Summits, other than those elected by voters? Let’s be clear. In… Continue reading…
‘Our Children are our Future’ ‘Education, Education, Education’
Two meaningful(less) phrases that get bandied around. What I can’t understand is why the brightest and the best of our children end up trying to get us to consume more Sugar, Fat, Alcohol, Caffeine, Credit and Fame and Glamour. The OGP’s employ more & more of the ‘best’ – the reason that always justifies the… Continue reading…