Although personal computer technology was at its nascent stages when John Lennon passed away in 1980, the iconic musician appears in a new ad for One Laptop Per Child.
In the Yoko Ono-approved OLPC ad, a digitally-enhanced John Lennon says, "Imagine every child no matter where in the world they were could access a universe of knowledge. They would have a chance to learn, to dream, to achieve anything they want."
Implications - John Lennon is an iconic cultural figure whose identity transcends the bounds of the music world. He is related to campaigns that have a social slant. I particularly like this ad because it reinvokes the spirit of an icon that both younger and older generations can relate to. Have a look at the ad to see for yourself.
Dead Musicians as Activists
John Lennon is Spokesperson for OLPC Ad
Trend Themes
1. Digital Celebrity Activists - The use of digitally-enhanced celebrities or deceased cultural icons in advertisements to promote social causes.
2. Technological Nostalgia - The use of technological advancements to bring back cultural icons from the past for modern campaigns.
3. Global Education for All - The promotion of accessible education through the use of personal computer technology, particularly in underprivileged areas.
Industry Implications
1. Advertising - Opportunities for advertising agencies to use deceased celebrities or cultural icons to promote social causes in a modern context.
2. Technology - Opportunities for advancement in digital enhancement technology to create believable visual representations of deceased cultural icons for modern campaigns.
3. Education - Opportunities for personal computer technology companies to promote and provide accessible education for underprivileged areas in the world.