A question for advertising and marketing gurus please

[Mountainman]

What is with this drum beat in the background that you hear in every commercial, every reality show and in every fashion clothing store in the mall. I can't seem to get away from it!

I think it is there as a subliminal way to tie all the parts of a mass consumption life style together. It is many geared to young people. Since it is heard everywhere they do not really pay attention to it but it is familiar and identifies anything that has it as being part of the lifestyle.

Anyone with marketing or advertising knowledge out there that can explain it to me? Thanks in advance.

[Cat Atomic]

1. It's truly pathetic to watch a TV commercial being produced.

Honestly- I've sat in or contributed to a bunch of them. I can honestly tell you that the overriding rationale behind EVERY element in television commercials is laziness and apathy.

The Producers want it cheap, the Director wants a quick paycheck, and the Marketing Team just wants to keep their jobs. They copy what the competition is doing. If Mitsubishi filled their spot with the sounds of ducks quacking, then Toyota would do the same. Assuming the duck thing didn't get the Marketing team fired, of course.