'ethics' is a term used by holier-than-thou marketers who are either pissed that they didn't think of the method first, or simply choose to leave cash on the table because they're 'better than that'.
if you watch TV, you are exposed are hundreds of examples of 'unethical' marketing practices every single day.
this includes programming that isn't commercial in nature.
you've got the news -- which markets information addiction and oversaturation so you'll stay confused and complacent. on the national level they're usually marketing fear, clique mentality and political propaganda (fox news), business-related decision manipulation (mad money, big idea, pretty much anything on MSNBC), and perky-as-hell, hot-as-hell, and smilin' wide anchors who keep you aroused and entertained (cnn's robin meade) while they tell you that your freedoms are no longer a basic human right. it's for the children. remember the children.
is that ethical?
you've got sitcoms -- which markets escapism from reality or, more often, complacency to living in situation X because you relate with whoever you're watching, who is in your approximate situation, and is perceived to be funny because it's not happening to you. even though the situations described usually happen to you. which makes it funny, because it isn't happening to you. even though it does. if you can follow that logic, you now know why everyone loves raymond, and why bush is still president.
is it ethical?
you've got reality shows -- which are the product of focus groups, selecting the most beautiful people available to portray the average guy or gal, placed into 'real situations' which highlight the most dramatic aspects of human life, and market distraction from the slavery of living a life you don't like or being someone you'd rather not be. it's OK though, they're eating worms or living the good life so you don't have to.
pretty blatant bait-and-switch going on with 'reality' shows.
think it's ethical?
and then you've got commercials. from actors playing doctors, actors playing old people, actors with diabeetus, actors concerned with their life insurance plan, actors dressed in lingerie who want you to call them (most relevant to the topic), actors who make $5000 in their first month, actors who know your pains and have your pains and can show you a better way, if you buy now.
is any of this ethical?
is marketing itself ethical? the core of our business revolves around infringing others' rights to a 'free mind' by persuading them to buy into an idea, product, or service they usually don't need. if they need something specific, we're here to shove the other guy out of the way and control enough of the market so they buy whatever they need from us, or more often convince them that whatever we're promoting is better.
it comes down to what 'ethical' means. it's 100% subjective, and if something deemed 'unethical' is adopted by enough people for common use, it becomes ethical.
/rant
if it's illegal, don't do it.
if it's against TOS, don't do it.
if you wanna act like a chick and talk dirty to horny desperate guys, go for it.
but i wouldn't do it.
it's unethical.
