Retro Box Cover
Kellogg’s has just released a limited edition box cover of its most popular cereal, Corn Flakes.
The cover on the left was used in the 1940s or 1950s (can’t find reference to it online) and you can buy the limited edition box for, well…a limited time.
When I looked at the cover, I couldn’t take my eyes off the sad boy with the bowl of cereal in his hands (see picture on right). He’s either sad because that’s his only meal for the day or that he has to share it with his 6 siblings. I was puzzled why Kellogg’s felt that 
this boy’s sullen expression could possibly help it sell more boxes of its bestselling cereal.
As I continued to reflect on the boy’s pensive look, I imagined this isn’t the story that Kellogg’s wants to tell. The company is selling the retro cover to spur on sales based on a throw back to a less turbulent time (that’s my guess). Instead, I’m interpreting this “story” as potential child neglect, the boy’s expression reminding me of the sad, hunger filled faces of the boys in the film Lord of the Flies.
Another Example of Story Hijackers
A student organization at Ohio University named “Students Teaching Against Racism in Society” (S.T.A.R.S.) launched an anti-racism campaign through a series of posters. Produced in time for Holloween, the posters challenge cultural and ethnic stereotypes that tend to come out in costumes this time of year.
The posters got a bit of attention, but it went into overdrive after a note from the President of S.T.A.R.S. was released stating that while they’re pleased with the overwhelming response, they’re “consulting their lawyer to protect their posters.” That didn’t sit well with many and a new meme was created, where people poked fun at the anti-racism campaign by creating parodies of the posters.
For example, in one of the fake posters, a dog is holding a picture of a man dressed in a dog suit suggesting that the dog is offended at the costume (see image below). You can find more parodies here.
What Should Be the Response?
When you tell your story, how should you respond if someone else hijacks it? Should we celebrate when others take our story and refresh it for their uses? Or, is it considered theft? Do share in the comments area below.
(hat tip to boingboing.net for first alerting me to the S.T.A.R.S. campaign)
