With the sad state of today’s economy, should companies be doling out empathy or encouragement?

Target stores has been running a campaign called “Brand New Day”  featuring an upbeat look at how people can find joy while saving a few bucks.

Critics call the ads “contemptible” and say that advertisers like Target are at best insensitive and at worst offensive in suggesting that in a time of desperate financial, political, and cultural anxiety, the right product can turn austerity and homelessness into opportunities for personal growth.

I beg to differ – for most folks, the messages are an encouraging and uplifting ray of sunshine in the dark doom and gloom of the news media.  And Target has found a way to make cutting back seem fun and fashionable to boot!

What say you?