Sincerity is a difficult feeling to portray through advertising. Most people are cynical, assuming that any corporation's attempts to be genuine are rarely truly genuine.
By December of 1945, it had been a mere six months since Japan surrendered and World War II had ended. American automakers hurried to convert their factories from producing weapons to cars. With no need to boast about its wartime production but without a new car to show off, Studebaker published this poignant advertisement.
By December of 1945, it had been a mere six months since Japan surrendered and World War II had ended. American automakers hurried to convert their factories from producing weapons to cars. With no need to boast about its wartime production but without a new car to show off, Studebaker published this poignant advertisement.
It's difficult for me to fully appreciate what America was feeling in December, 1945. No doubt, the thrill of victory was still fresh in their minds, as well as the terrible price it had cost. No war in my lifetime has ever come close to the scope and scale of WWII. As the closing days of 2015 were filled with more violence and uncertainty, this ad made me slowly realize how much more violent and uncertain the world must have looked in those years before 1945. Indeed, "peace on earth" took on a whole new meaning for Americans that Christmas.
70 years later, Studebaker is gone. A generic "holidays" has replaced "Christmas" in most advertisements, and commercials now feature Santas in German supercars and children waking up to Japanese luxury SUVs in their driveways. It's certainly not a future anyone could have predicted, but I suppose we should all be thankful if the biggest threat these countries pose is merely lost sales for our homegrown automakers.
However; somethings have not changed. The true "peace on earth" referenced above, meaning the birth of a baby who would become more influential than any emperor, president, or chancellor, is still the same. To those who believe, there is true peace in knowing that Jesus transcends and outlasts any war, car company, or nation created by man.
But whether you believe that or not, we all can appreciate sincerity of an Studebaker's advertisement. It is a call for a collective reflection and appreciation of all the country had been through. As the U.S. faces uncertain days ahead, we now increasingly view peace as a "...dearly won and precious acquisition we know we must treasure vigilantly..."
I wish you and yours the best this Christmas and holiday season, and I hope you will know peace throughout 2016, as we hopefully, confidently, and resolutely face the opportunity to shape our destiny.
70 years later, Studebaker is gone. A generic "holidays" has replaced "Christmas" in most advertisements, and commercials now feature Santas in German supercars and children waking up to Japanese luxury SUVs in their driveways. It's certainly not a future anyone could have predicted, but I suppose we should all be thankful if the biggest threat these countries pose is merely lost sales for our homegrown automakers.
However; somethings have not changed. The true "peace on earth" referenced above, meaning the birth of a baby who would become more influential than any emperor, president, or chancellor, is still the same. To those who believe, there is true peace in knowing that Jesus transcends and outlasts any war, car company, or nation created by man.
But whether you believe that or not, we all can appreciate sincerity of an Studebaker's advertisement. It is a call for a collective reflection and appreciation of all the country had been through. As the U.S. faces uncertain days ahead, we now increasingly view peace as a "...dearly won and precious acquisition we know we must treasure vigilantly..."
I wish you and yours the best this Christmas and holiday season, and I hope you will know peace throughout 2016, as we hopefully, confidently, and resolutely face the opportunity to shape our destiny.
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