Asymmetrical Information

Benjamin Kepple not only explores

Benjamin Kepple not only explores in greater detail the mystery of non-consumer corporations making commercials, which I touched on yesterday, but also identifies the mystery commercial -- it was Cisco, which ALSO doesn't make consumer products. As someone who used to BUY Cisco products, I can attest that not once did I think "Hey, you know they make those great commercials with the kid reciting all those internet statistics -- I bet they make a great router too!". Thanks a billion to Benjamin, who must have an even better memory for trivia than mine. Somehow in my brain all those vaguely hip commercials had been schmooged together into one giant montage, so that after I heard that kid shouting "aaaaaare you ready?" I immediately heard a fade into that synthesized-echo "Why. . . " from the Enron ads. Which just goes to show you what a great job those commercials did at building a brand.