…easily moulded by corporate hands. So companies like to think, and they’re all doing it.

Even before term began, banks have been trying to snatch our custom by offering us huge overdrafts (hey, large unpaid debts have never caused any problems, right?) and alluring gifts, vouchers and other tidbits aimed to sweeten the deal of becoming their customer.

It’s a well-observed fact that the skeleton key to a student’s heart is, of course, free food. This is so true to the extent that it’s often more hassle to claim free food at a lunchtime event at College than it’s worth (though the food that’s there is really nice), requiring a battle through a scrum of other bodies to claim the prize of a few morsels (now leftover scraps) from a now-empty platter.

A clear example of where this is taken advantage of: I’ve been present for at least 2 or possibly 3 visits from Kellogg’s in the JCR at College, advertising some of their products, including cereal Krave. On one occasion they staged a Krave hoopla. This involved throwing three rings at a few stacks of mini Krave boxes. Successfully landing two or more rings over the stacks of boxes would win you a Kellogg’s cereal bowl, and all other attempts would leave you with a couple of mini Krave boxes of cereal, and some other Kellogg’s goods. Other such events take place in the JCR on a regular basis. It says it all, really.

Of course, I’m not complaining at the offer of free food — in fact, I partook in a couple of the Kellogg’s events myself. However it is amazing to observe the entirely blatant view of companies and marketeers as to how impressionable students are, and they clearly want to tie us into their brand whilst we’re young, and have many years left to buy their products.

Despite my acceptance of any consumable produce offered (it would of course be impolite not to), I shan’t be affected by these wooly advertising events. I didn’t take any of the large overdraft offers from banks (instead sticking with ones which offered me good customer service), and the advertising machine is a juggernaut that will not win me over.

But on that majestically moral note, you’ll have to excuse me — I’m off to finish my bowl of Krave.