We’ve just emerged from the party political conference season, when the Today programme features a seemingly endless stream of “big beasts” from the three main parties, all commenting on speeches their fellow party animals have either made or are about to make.

Hovis‘s new poster was perfectly timed to coincide with this rhetoric-fest.

Vote "Yes" for good design

 A simple metaphor that illustrates the “consumer approval” message perfectly. The only thing lacking is the obligatory Dualit toaster to signify aspiration. That and maybe the conviction or budget to use it more widely. This 48 sheet in Ruislip is the only example I’ve seen on my travels.

Yesterday’s music supplement had a great interview with Corinne Bailey Rae, a fantastic nostalgia piece on the New Romantics, and a lovely short piece on the break up of The Jam. Perfectly aimed at my demographic. But the whole thing was all wrapped up in a Beck’s advertising promotion, which gave me pause for thought.

There’s no doubt that the Beck’s art campaign is thoughtful and, in places, thought-provoking. The idea of limited edition beer bottle labels is enchanting enough; the fact that they’re designed by zeitgeisty popsters makes it all the more intriguing. Ladyhawke on a beer mat ranks right up there with Lady Di as a barmaid in the “things worth staying up to watch” stakes. And what a fascinating idea to get artists to re-imagine classic album covers. Though of course there’s nothing to stop them doing that in their spare time, without the encouragement and cash of a German brewer. All fine and fascinating.

But what doesn’t quite ring true is the tone of earnestness. To read their lengthy “advertisement promotion”, one might almost imagine that the people at Beck’s – or at least at their ad agency and PR company – actually believe they’re doing something important for art. They cite lots of precedents for the juxtaposition of art and music (quelle surprise!) and place their own promotional efforts in the same continuum. Come on guys! You’re selling beer! To Observer readers! Lighten up.

I’m old enough to remember when Beck’s conferred a certain cachet on the drinker. But I’m not dumb enough to let a beer brand give me a fine art education. By all means sponsor the arts, and run some cultural experiments, but please don’t imagine that your beer belongs in a gallery, or that art belongs in my local bar. As for my fridge – if it’s not drawn by my kids, it doesn’t get doorspace.

I just spent much of Saturday watching part of the National Drag Racing Championship Finals. I couldn’t tell you who won, or indeed how the winner is chosen; the rules are somewhat opaque given that the general aim seems to be to drive as fast as possible in as short a time as possible. As it was, many people took advantage of an indian summer day to sit on a grassy bank to watch people in ludicrously fast cars and motorbikes drive a quarter of a mile from a standing start in anything from 6 – 11 seconds. In one case – a car that was basically a jet engine with a seat next to it – that involved getting up to 280mph.

Among all the petrolheads proudly showing off their machines built for speed and show, it was nice to see some good old fashioned marketing. Of course, there was plenty of food and drink sellers there to take advantage of the captive market that is the unprepared eventgoer. But I quite liked the integrated merchandising and promotion that involved putting a Santa Pod-branded “Top Fuel” dragster on the back of a similarly branded flat-bed truck, and driving it around the event site. No doubt during the run up to the event, the truck was driven around the surrounding towns proclaiming the 0-300mph in under 5 secs message to potential ticket-buyers everywhere. A replica of the very same dragster was available for sale in the official shop for a very reasonable £5. A great memento for any 8 year old, including my own, to take home as a long-lasting reminder of a day of fast cars and bikes. A toy they will use with friends, who no doubt will ask about this strange looking vehicle, and get the full story of the noise and speed on a warm September day. No-nonsense marketing.

I just wonder why the ear defenders – pretty much compulsory for anyone sitting trackside for any length of time – weren’t similarly branded. A missed opportunity.

Each week I’ll be posting about examples of marketing I’ve seen during the previous seven days. The good, the bad, the indifferent, and the weird.

Don’t agree with my comments? Great. Share your own views, and let me know about marketing that you think shines or sucks.