Deconstructing the meerkat: fabular anthropomorphism, popular culture, and the market
Authors: Miles, C. and Ibrahim, Y.
Journal: Journal of Marketing Management
Volume: 29
Issue: 15/16
Pages: 1862-1880
ISSN: 1472-1376
DOI: 10.1080/0267257X.2013.803142
Abstract:In this paper we attempt to create an understanding of fabular anthropomorphism of particular relevance to marketing communication. Through an examination of the religious, anthropological, rhetorical and marketing literature on personification and anthropomorphism we arrive at six principles that characterise the use of animals as symbols in instructional storytelling. We then examine the applicability of these principles by investigating the way in which meerkats have recently been used in popular culture and marketing communication. We find that our proposed definition of a marketing-orientated fabular anthropomorphism is broadly applicable and is helpful in understanding why certain anthropomorphic depictions will resonate with audiences and others will not.
Summary statement of contribution This research proposes a set of principles that help us to understand the way in which fabular instantiations of anthropomorphism can be successfully used in marketing communication. It presents a case study that demonstrates the applicability of the findings.
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Source: Manual