As American Middle Class Vanishes, Advertisers Focus Only On Richest 10%

[^_^ 5,021]

Yeah, Wonkette got a little hyper there ...

No chit. Her blog gives me a headache. The signal to noise ratio is totally out of wack, basically just a lot of shrieking noise.

... five tiers of affluent households and explains why true affluence isn't achieved until the $200,000 household income level. Two distinct groups are found at the $100,000-$199,999 household income level, one on the path to riches, and one that has fallen back into the middle class. Learn why career is one of the strongest indicators for attaining wealth, and how media habits change as consumers move up the tiers.

Sounds like a fascinating book.

Rising income inequality bothers me too, but the fact that advertisers are studying the habits of the affluent does not bother me at all. That is part of their job. That is what they do.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Do you have one of those fancy Swiss watches, Steven?

My growth towards the first tier of affluency hit a road bump about a year and a half ago, and I don't expect to reach it for another 3 years.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Sounds like a fascinating book.

Rising income inequality bothers me too, but the fact that advertisers are studying the habits of the affluent does not bother me at all. That is part of their job. That is what they do.

What caught my eye is that this shows that marketing recognizes the changes of affluence. So, while some continue to pretend that growing income inequality is not an issue in this country, the movers and shakers that actually depend on these trends are reacting to the changes.

[Zero Sum 305]

My growth towards the first tier of affluency hit a road bump about a year and a half ago, and I don't expect to reach it for another 3 years.

Timex? Swatch? Casio?

What caught my eye is that this shows that marketing recognizes the changes of affluence. So, while some continue to pretend that growing income inequality is not an issue in this country, the movers and shakers that actually depend on these trends are reacting to the changes.

There may be a more marked change in the income inequality, but I don't think that will deter marketers from targeting those that think upwards mobility is possible, among others that are 'aspiring' and could be one day wealthy.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Okay, so I am still catered to. #######! I was hoping the ads would stop.

[웃 910]

My growth towards the first tier of affluency hit a road bump about a year and a half ago, and I don't expect to reach it for another 3 years.

You'll be making between $200,000 and half a million dollars per year in 3 years? CONGRATS!!!!

Edited June 3, 2011 by Lord Infamous

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

You'll be making between $200,000 and half a million dollars per year in 3 years? CONGRATS!!!!

The first tier is defined as "Aspiring 35+" with a 100K-199K range. So, he's saying that he expects to be entering six figure territory in 3 years.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Yeap. Same here.

This article is massive fail.

This is a bit like the prediction about online-shopping making the physical malls obsolete which I heard around 10 years ago--and we still are seeing packed-to-rafters malls.

[웃 910]

The first tier is defined as "Aspiring 35+" with a 100K-199K range. So, he's saying that he expects to be entering six figure territory in 3 years.

I thought he was saying the first part of the "affluent" HHI because I skimmed

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The first tier is defined as "Aspiring 35+" with a 100K-199K range. So, he's saying that he expects to be entering six figure territory in 3 years.

And that would be a combined family income, which really shouldn't be that hard to achieve for most working professionals.

[웃 910]

And that would be a combined family income, which really shouldn't be that hard to achieve for most working professionals.

I respectfully retract my congratulations

[scandal 951]

I respectfully retract my congratulations

What's weird is I used to be "Affluent" on the chart above and am now only "Aspiring 35+", yet I feel I have more disposable income. It's amazing what leaving the state of California and its high housing costs, property taxes, and personal income taxes can do for your standard of living.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

And that would be a combined family income, which really shouldn't be that hard to achieve for most working professionals.

Sorry to hear. If you can't pull in six figures with two professional job salaries then that's a major blow.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Not much new here. Any savvy advertiser or entrepreneur targets ads to their desired clientele. It's what gives elite items and services their cache and gives value to branding. Conversely, some items are the same thing sold in a variety of packaging and at differing price points to meet differing demographics. Anyone who's spent time in the "Third World" has seen that unless you're living in a box and have no discernible address, advertisers are willing to target you. Profit is profit.

Edited June 3, 2011 by Sofiyya

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Sorry to hear. If you can't pull in six figures with two professional job salaries then that's a major blow.

Well, I'm currently not working in my profession and neither is my wife, but she's starting university in the Fall and hopefully, in three years will have a degree that is finally recognized in the states. In the meantime, I'm going to probably lay low working in the medical field (entry level) until she's done, unless some offer comes my way that I can't pass up.