Brand Personality

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I have noticed an unsettling trend in recent years regarding advertisement and marketing strategies of big companies, particularly fast food restaurants. Specifically, the fast food chain Wendy's. Within recent years, Wendy's went from straightforward advertising of their food to #relatable social media presence. An example is given below:
Image result for wendy's roasts
They've taken a more edgy take on mascot personalities and its skyrocketed their popularity as a result. By adopting an online person, a corporation with the soul intent of serving food and making money has become someone the average person can relate to. People have even begun making fanart, as depicted below, to show their appreciation of the Wendy's mascot.

Image result for wendy's mascot

In reality though, people are relating themselves to a corporate team making strategic actions on social media to influence what you buy. This is just unsettling because society is becoming more open to brainwashing marketing to make you think, "This Wendy girl is alright, I'll buy her burgers over that clown guy's." While the outcome is dependent on the quality of their food (i.e. if it's harmful to health), the fact that just developing an online personality makes corporations more appealing and it feels deceitful. Though I don't think they shouldn't have a social media presence, the personal connection people form with the mascot is uncomfortable because their wallet's contents can then be manipulated through the mascot.

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