For love, or love of money

In just a week we'll arrive at Valentine's Day: a day where Cupid makes his mark and marketers hopefully make theirs. A day filled with red wine, red hearts and red roses. And a night where happy-go-lucky couples make love not war. The most beloved day of the year--at least that's what marketers would like for you to believe.

Sure, it's the thought that counts but better still when that thought is wrapped in a heart-shaped box (retailing upwards of $25). Make no mistake about it, V-Day is a bankable $13 billion-dollar bonanza that we marketers have migrated from a gift to your one-and-only to gifts leaving no one unloved including: moms, grandmoms, teachers, classmates, bosses, co-workers, friends, friends with benefits, even pets.

I've always loved Valentine's Day but so many of my friends, both male and female, find it no longer to be a beloved day just a bunch of BS--with we marketers to blame. They see these gifts not as relationship-builders but builders of retailer's bottom lines. I can understand the cynicism...especially from you poor guys shelling out $150 for a dozen roses...but have we really stripped all the joy from the holiday? My romantic side hopes not but my realistic side has been receiving emails from Godiva since January 5th.

P.S.: Here's something to fall for: just in time for Valentine's Day I'll be unveiling the Book Club's next segment...with authors and a book you'll really love. Save your money on chocolate and buy the book instead. You can even read it with your loved one. It's far better than a book of love poems :-).

Comments

[Mario Vellandi]

Mi piacere Amore. I know the marketing messages seemingly dilute the good feelings, but let's not let it get the best of us. Unique gifts are great, but it's the attitude throughout the entire week that we should carry...with playful unconditional smiles and hellos...this really makes us shine. Oh, and some thoughtful words of kindness too...

oh joy, new book! I swear this'll be the year of the flying eyes for me.

[Lewis Green]

After having been married for 32+ years, I am not a big Valentine's Day guy. All that's going to change this year. I am going to do something special for Kay.