Publicity : Varied Messages, Mixed Reactions

The giving out of information about a product, person, or company for advertising or promotional purposes, seems to occupy several slots on different TV channels and billboards along various streets in the country. While moving along the streets of Yaounde, inhabitants say within 500 metres, one can see over 20 billboards advertising different products. At times these billboards compete among themselves, especially when advertising same products from different brands. These publicity boards, inhabitants say, are so captivating and imposing and tend to leave no one indifferent. However, many have chosen to be disciplined, focused and not carried away by numerous publicity boards all over the town. 
Diana M is one of those who say honestly billboards and TV commercials do spark her interest. “Although it may not immediately influence my purchasing habits, it does prompt some researching and vetting on my part if it sways me in that direction”, Diana explained. However, she always struggles to stick to what she knows and needs. Chancer N is another individual who says publicity slots do not influence her. “I know what I want to buy, and I stick to what I want, not what someone is telling me to buy. I could check out a shop if they have sales to buy what I had budgeted to buy before, not by impulse,” Chancer elucidate. Besides remaining disciplined and faithful to what works for me, Chancier further reveals that she has made her kids to understand that they do not get stuff to follow trends. “We do not even do things like buying of Christmas dresses which is a common phenomenon in most homes during the Christmas season,” Chancer reiterat...