Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Ads
Starting this week, we're going to start talking about advertisements. So my question for you this week is, how much of a role does advertising play in your life? How often do you make purchasing decisions based on ads you see, or do you like to think you are immune to them, even if you enjoy some of the campaigns? As usual, 250 word post up by Thursday night (10/20) and 100 word response up by Sunday night (10/23).
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Advertisements are everywhere around us. They are the way we find out about the resources that we are offered. Whether we want to know what types of foods to eat, what movies we want to watch, or what to drink, advertisements are our pathway to them. Advertisements can be in multiple different forms. We could have commercials, billboards, or articles in newspapers and magazines. Usually, what makes them appealing would be if they were something that interests you. Famous people, comedy, and sex appeal are the most common ways to attract their viewers. Personally, I’m a sucker for ads. I am the person that all the company’s love. I will personally buy a bottle just because of the cool shape, or if I thought there commercial was cool. Overall, advertisements hold a large role in our lives today. Without advertisements, we would not be able to know the resources that are available for us to use. Although I know I am a sucker for ads, I do find them quit amusing. I love looking at the different ways that they can attract a population. Actually, that involves what I want to eventually become my career. I think the most interesting part about ads is how long it took the companies to figure our what exactly the viewers want to see, and how to put it in the ad to make people actually go out and buy it. I’m looking forward to the next few weeks, and I cant wait to examine more ads in the future!
ReplyDeleteBecause we live in such a commercial and industrial world, we are surrounded by advertisements everywhere we go. Literally everywhere you look, you are seeing multiple advertisements so it would be impossible to say that someone is unaffected by them. You may not realize it, but on some level you are being influenced by ads. I always used to think that I was not influenced by the commercials on TV or billboards lining the highways but in reality I was. If I went to the supermarket and wanted to buy cereal, I would choose Cheerio’s, Lucky Charms, Chex, or some other name that I knew as opposed to one that had never been advertised. The same goes for clothing; when I go to the mall, I walk by stores but I usually only go into the ones that I have heard of before. I’m sure I would find something that I like in the unadvertised stores, but for some reason I typically won’t go in because I had never heard of it before. I don’t fall for the TV commercials in the sense that if I see something advertised on TV I feel the need to go out and buy it. However, occasionally if there is a sale advertised on TV I will go to the place advertised to take advantage of it. For example, one night me and my friend were watching TV while deciding what to do that night and we saw a commercial for Baskin Robbins advertising their 31 cent scoop night so that’s where we went that night!
ReplyDeleteWhen we first started talking about advertisements, I began to realize I had not really paid much attention to them. I am the type of person that would rather see no commercials because I consider them annoying and stupid. Half the time I feel like an advertisement can be so ridiculous that at the end of the commercial you have completely forgotten about what they are even trying to sell you. I actually really dislike the way some companies go about trying to market and sell products but then again, we probably would not be knowledgeable about anything in the world if they did not exist. Any company will do just about anything to get you to buy a product. They aim for a specific appeal so that you will buy what they are trying to sell. I am usually not easily bought especially if I consider the advertisement to be quite overdramatic. This is probably because I do not buy into much of materialized things. However, I am aware that advertisements are everywhere around us. Advertisements can be seen in movies, the billboards driving down the highways, the magazine articles, the commercials, and the newspapers. I think they work so well because we live in a society that is constantly looking for “new” and “better” things. The media plays a huge role in this, especially when companies use famous celebrities to market a product. So many people believe that they will either look like or be like the person they see on television if they buy that product or whatever they are trying to sell.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, advertisement plays a huge role in my daily life. I make decisions based on how appealing products are when I'm purchasing them. They say "Don't judge a book by its cover" but at the end of the day, we all judge based on first impressions, it's only natural. It makes it easier to understand and categorize things. I always fall for the advertisements buying products that I didn't need. My dad would yell at me when I come home with any products that I didn't need nagging me about how I'm one of people that falls for the company's ads. I remember buying a 6 pack of coke just because it was in the original glass bottle because it looked cool. It is the company's job to make their products look appealing in order to sell their products to customers. If there weren’t any advertisements for products, customers wouldn't know what they’re buying because there aren’t any sources and information about its products so all in all; I think advertisements plays a big and important role in our lives helping us make decisions. As much as people like and want to think that advertisements do not influences their decision-makings, it has a major effect on people’s lives. Personally, I enjoy watching and reading advertisements because I think they are really creative (at least most of them) and it’s really cool that they try little ways to convince their customers to purchase their products and trying to say that their products are better than other company’s.
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely not immune to advertising. I am very well aware of how much of an effect it has on my everyday purchases. It may sound weird, but I love watching commercials as much as I love watching the game during the Superbowl. However, I do have brand loyalty to certain products. For instance, I will always chose Pepsi over coke and Powerade over Gatorade, regardless of how much I like the commercial or advertisement for the other product. I simply know that I like the taste of Pepsi and Powerade more. I won't deny, however, that if a commercial grabs my attention and successfully sells me on the product, I'l give whatever that product may be a shot. I don't know what kind of car insurance I have as thankfully my parents take care of that for me, however, if it were up to me, I'd probably do more research on AllState than any other company, simply because I LOVE their "Mayhem" commercials. They always make me laugh and I find myself looking them up on youtube in my spare time because I enjoy them that much. Those commercials played a large part in "selling me" on their insurance over any other companies policy, even though I don't think I am actually insured with them, nor do I know anything about their policy. I believe that a lot of people deny the influence of advertising in their life by saying that they would buy these things with or without the ad telling them the perks and all that, however, I don't think that's true. You may like both McDonald's and Burger King equally even though they have very different tastes but decide to go to McDonald's more often because you are afraid of "The Burger King" mascot guy. I personally hate Burger King but that mascot drives me even further away. Sub-conciously, everyone is swayed at least a little bit by ads.
ReplyDeleteAfter class on Tuesday, I began to look around and realize how many advertisements are out there. At stadium on campus, they have a bunch of signs pushing new food that they have never had before. The pictures of the food look way better than they do in real life, and they use words like new, better, and best. Besides signs promoting food, another form of advertising I realized after class were the boring commercials I find myself watching subconsciously every single day. The food ones, especially fast food make me salivate. The countless chicken nuggets, French fries, burgers, breakfast sandwiches, hash browns, tacos, quesadillas basically any commercial from McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Sonic, KFC, etc., make me STARVING. I’m definitely not immune to ads that I see, I totally believe most of the infomercials. I do own a magic bullet, a fushi ball, sham wow, oxy clean, bump it, snuggie, etc., and then come to the realization that none of them do EVERYTHING they are set out to do. Besides the fast food and infomercial commercials, ones that really draw my attention are the clothing store commercials. They force me into the mall or to online shopping. I cannot resist. Other ads and commercials say for cars, lawyers, clocks, jobs, insurance, drug recall, etc., bore me to death. I enjoy the old spice man and other funny commercials like that. In other words, advertisements that have to do with food, clothing, and infomercial items attract my eye.
ReplyDeleteLike most people, I would tend to believe I am immune to most advertisements these days. However, after reading the assigned article, I have realized this is not entirely true. My stance on this issue is that I tend to think I am immune due to my ability of only remembering the ads that have nothing to do with me. Most ads that come to mind are dating services, car insurance, and lawyers. As a teenager, I am obviously not going to be worried about such things. Although this is true, I believe that some of the other ads do in fact have an influence on me. Most ads that do so are ones that advertise brand new accessories that just went out on shelves. Although I do not go out and buy these items right away, at some point I actually end up buying some of the advertised products from before. This long term process might be the reason for my negligence towards accepting advertisement’s affect on myself. I quite honestly forget seeing an ad on t.v. or on the side of the road within a couple minutes. This info might have initially been forgotten, but enters into my subconscious, as discussed in the article. I believe that these subconscious ideas are what drive myself and others to go out and buy such products later on. All in all, the article has enlightened me to a whole different perspective on ads, and can completely admit to falling for ad schemes.
ReplyDeleteI think ads have an effect on everyone. They definitely affect my buying decisions even if I don’t always realize it. Many advertisements, like TV commercials, can seem stupid but that’s what makes them stick in your mind. Good commercials can also stick in your mind. When I think of advertisements I think about the super bowl and how we get so excited each year to see what company will put out the best commercials. I personally don’t think commercials get me to buy specific things because I only buy things once I get to the store and I usually go for the sales, no matter what I’m looking to buy, but things like 30% less sugar on granola bars and 50% on jeans always get my attention. Advertisements are everywhere even when we don’t think they are. They are in movies, on the radio, on TV, on giant signs on the highway, and many other places. In order for you to go for a whole day without seeing an ad you would probably have to lock yourself in a dark room and not read or watch anything. The one type of advertisement that I really like is seeing movie trailers. I love watching movies and getting a little glimpse of a movie that is going to be coming out is always exciting. My friends and I will always say I want to see that, and that! Ads are a part of our life and there are good ones and bad ones but no one can go through life without seeing them. Even if you don’t notice them consciously, you will hear either a song or a phrase that will remind you of a product. I can still remember the phone number for empire carpet installation service that aired commercials when I was just a child: 1-800-588-2300, empire today!
ReplyDeleteI would say advertisements have around 90% of influence towards me buying a product. I am easily sold to and I love a good advert. Of all commercials I prefer informative ones which actually lets me know about the product rather than just a vague overview. I do enjoy the Apple commercials and I am a Apple fan. They use such a simple technique with their commercials. They just have the product that they are selling spinning around whilst they talk about all the great features it has. After the commercial I feel as though I have learnt something about that product and all I then need is the other 10%. Thats 10% is from friend/family/celebrity influence. If theres a product I'm interesting in buying but I'm a bit on the edge due to price or whatever I may be deterred. But if I know someone with the product and they give a first hand good review I would most probably go out and buy it. Also if theres something I want to buy and I start seeing my favorite celebrities wearing tat would also sway my decision. But the main chunk of me buying a product is down to advertisements. Like Old Spice for example, we don't have it in London and I saw the advertising campaign online, so as soon as I got to the US I bought the product, simply to see what it was like. The verdict was highly average. I definitely am a sucker for a good commercial.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a lie to say ‘I am immune to the power of adverts,’ as they do have an influence on some of the decisions I make when deciding on products to buy. I am particular vulnerable to film, sports and film advertisement. This is probably due to the fact they are key interests in my life or something I regularly do or need. If I am in need of a certain product such as football boots, usually certain ads (Nike or Adidas) will catch my eye and hold my attention for longer periods than others. If I am thinking of buying or watching a film, usually an effective advert will give me that extra little push to do so.
ReplyDeleteAlthough these adverts have an effect on me, others I can see straight through. For example a famous advert in England is the Lynx advert. This advert is selling anti-persperent and is aimed at men between their sixteen to thirty years old. The advert claims that if you buy this product, you will be irresistible to women. Although this advert is amusing I know it has no truth (however a lot of naive men think it will actually work!)
Overall, adverts act as a convincement mechanism to a product I am already considering to buy. I have never consciously gone out to buy a product I really don’t need. I believe adverts play a very important role to businesses when promoting their products and this is obviously why corporations spend millions of dollars on perfecting such methods.
Ads play a huge role in the lives of anyone who reads newspapers or magazines, uses the internet, watches television or even just walks or drives down a road with billboards. Because we live in such a commercial world, ads are everywhere we look. Personally I know that ads affect me during my daily life. I base a lot of my purchasing decisions based on the ads I see. I also believe that I am immune to some, especially makeup ads or some clothing ads. Once I know I really like a brand I probably won’t change my mind about what I am going to buy. But when I am not sure about what brand I like, I will use how the ads appeal to me. Many ads I feel are quite amusing. These amusing ads don’t make me want to change the channel when watching TV like infomercials. I like knowing information about a product, but I don’t want don’t want to sit through a commercial that only gives the facts, it needs to be eye catching, and I think that the designers of the ads do a great job. The ads that I see most are car commercials. Most of these commercials show a car driving down the road and giving facts about it. One company that does a great job of changing this is Kia. Their commercials for the Kia Soul with the gerbils are very entertaining. Their songs are catchy, the graphics are colorful, and the dancing gerbils are very funny.
ReplyDeleteI agree with cptak that I would rather watch TV without being interrupted by commercials because usually I don’t pay attention to them and tune them out. Like she said, most of the time at the end of a commercial you can’t even remember what it is they are trying to sell. Often my sister and I would sing a song from a commercial or talk about a certain commercial but we can’t even remember what the product was that they were selling. Even so, I do acknowledge that I am at the same time affected heavily by advertisements because they surround us everywhere we go.
ReplyDeleteI never really thought ads had a hold on my. Now that Mr. B has the class thinking about ads I can't help but say that I am highly persuaded by ads in what I want. Food advertisements always make me want to get into my and go get what was on the screen. Catalogs I get in the mail always persuade me to want a new pair of tennis shoes when the day before I had just gotten a new pair of shoes. Eurosport ads may be the worst because when all the new cleats come out I literally want them all. I don't even want to discuss how I feel when the new apple product is released. Although I want these things. I think a lot about my purchases. I don't get something that I won't use to its fullest potential. Ads can make me want something but I am no shopaholic. There are also certain ads that I don’t really pay attention too. I usually buy clothes from the same stores so an ad for something I don’t wear is usually useless. Advertising doesn’t play a large role in my life. It exist but it isn’t a huge part. To me the things I see in ads can be annoying. I wish there was a television station that didn’t cost extra money that had no commercial. I think it may be possible that some ads can be so persuasive they are in my dreams and I want the product even more. Crazy!
ReplyDeleteIn todays society there are advertisements everywhere, Television, radio, and Internet are probably the most used mediums that advertisement companies use. The companies choose to stream their ads through these venues because that is where the biggest audience is. I am not a slave to the advertisements, having said that when I see a clever advertisement or commercial it makes me remember the product when I am purchasing items in the store. For an example, Heineken lately has have some really clever and clever commercial and every time that the commercial run I sit and watch the whole commercial all the way through. The concept of the commercial and the music is all engaging and the setting of commercial are all tools that grab the audience and forces them to watch the commercial. That is a definition of a good advertisement when you show one of your friends or when you don’t change the station when you see a commercial run on the television. To me, advertisement does play a significant role when I am purchasing items. Products include alcohol, clothing such as jeans, sweatshirts, tee shirts, and food. Having said that there are also some really bad commercials that constantly run every five minutes. Some of the companies go over board and don’t know when to quit. Being a consumer I can honestly say sometimes too much of a good thing is bad thing. Commercials that run too much can turn a consumer away and have a reverse effect.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Miya.a advertisements are everywhere and they play a huge role in the world today. They can be beneficial or they can be negative. Advertisements can be used to raise awareness of a certain problem or they can be used to slander an idea or person. First impressions are every thing in this world; anyone who tells you different is lying to themselves. Impressions are huge when dealing with products and consumers. If you’re ever in doubt of this, try to think about the last item you bought and then think back to the advertisement. I bet the advertisement wasn’t terrible. I’m not saying it was the best advertisement in the world, but I am saying it can’t hurt to have a descent advertisement to go along with your product.
ReplyDeleteI love to watch certain ads, but not all do have an effect on me. Some certainly do, there area few ads that do persuade me to buy their products, such as sports equipment. Also if I know a product is well advertised I tend to believe it’s a good product and worthy of my money against some product that I may have never heard of before I would think is a low end product that probably would not last or do its job properly. So it does have an effect on me in terms of product awareness. However there are many ads that do not fulfill this purpose but do entertain me with their humor and sophistication. I can distantly remember an ad of Baileys in which there was no gravity in the room and the liquid was floating around the room as the people tried to swim in the air so they can drink the baileys. Then there are the ridiculously funny and random ads such as the old spice commercials that we watched in class. But what really gets me are the ads for pharmaceuticals in which the majority of the commercial is spent on the negative side effects that basically spell out death to the potential users. Why bother to advertise these products if they aren’t any good the consumer?
ReplyDeleteIn response to Nikki.cog, I'm also the same way with clothes and make up also. Even though I make my purchasing decisions based on advertisements, when it comes to apparels and cosmetics, I buy them based on whether if I like them or not, not because of what the company or the brand advertises. I think it's easier for people not get influenced by advertisements when it comes to clothes and such because clothes are what describes them so it's a little hard for ads to affect their decisions on clothes purchasing. People who follow trends are much easier to get influenced by advertisements buying everything that they see on ads.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lairdy10 in that most ads that catch my eye always have something to do with my interests. For example I wouldn’t care to see an ad about men’s shoes because I’m a girl but, even so, sometimes even ads that don’t pertain to me specifically can still catch my interest. Some of the commercials for home and car insurance are pretty funny and memorable even though I’m not looking to buy insurance. However, the ads that I always remember are for products I already like or for something I would like to have. Ads that have a lot of facts about their product and trials with a bunch of different people to show that it works get my attention. I like when ads have proof that their product is good quality.
ReplyDeleteIn response to miya.a I do agree that ads play a huge role in my daily life when purchasing some things. The way some items are presented to look cool and unique to catch the eyes of the consumers, to make them think this is the better product to buy is so important and very persuasive on a sub conscious level. Also it’s true that without ads people would not know about the products available to them, product awareness is a huge part of business and it’s the only reason why ads are in existence.
ReplyDeleteAds play an important role in my life. Not only are they everywhere to see but people constantly discuss them, or talk about them, or reference them daily. Everyone talks about the new products coming out, or the ones they just got, or the ones they have. I like to think that they don’t influence my shopping or opinions that much, but to say that, might be a lie. I don’t usually go out and buy the things in the ads all that often, but I do want things that they advertise. I also have clothing ads from Vogue on my wall, now I would like them, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to go out and buy them all. The same goes for watching TV or reading a magazine. Just because you look at things doesn’t mean you get them. Although for some people they do have to buy things in ads all the time, I’m not like that. I try to not let them influence e too much, and I try to not let ads take over my life. I do have an iPod, I do have a Nikon camera, and I do have converse. But just because I have things that are advertised doesn’t mean I got them because of an ad. so just as equally as I would say Ads don’t influence people that much, they do make them aware and curious of the products on the page or the screen.
ReplyDeleteIn response to nikki.cog I Have to agree with you on what you said about clothes shopping. I am the same way when it comes to brands. Usually what I like doesn't change and the most appealing ad can't change that. I also agree with you about infomercials, my favorite being the oxy clean commercials. Although I think this particular commercial is funnyI don't really care for most commercials. One of my most hated is actually the kia soul car commercial. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteIn response to TylerBlackwood, I am also more persuaded to buy products when I see my favorite celebrities promoting or wearing it. For example, I was unsure whether to purchase a power/balance band, until I saw David Beckham wearing one. I believe the use of celebrities is a great way to sell products as many of us can easily identify with them.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I don’t believe I am as much as a ‘sucker’ as you. Advertisements do have a slight influence on my decisions but not nearly 90%. Although like you, I also look for approval from family or friends when purchasing expensive products I am unsure on.
In response to stefanmahadeo91, I agree a lot with your idea on the ads for medications and drugs for major pharmaceutical companies. I would think that it would be smarter to maybe mention more of the "positive" outcomes of taking the medication but only making it available through a doctor so that they can inform their patient of ALL of the possible outcomes. However, these companies are telling you that you can die from the medication but don't worry, it just might work, but there's really no guarantee. It just doesn't seem like intelligent advertising because they are scaring people off before they even speak to a doctor about it.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Aclare16, I agree where advertising does have a role in my life, but I’m not always sure to what extent. Another good point is to say that you are not always sure of the obscure means that advertisers use. I have taken a psychology class, so I have a bigger sense of what subliminal messaging is. I also see the point that not every ad has equal influence on us. I myself would be more willing to buy something of a brand that I’ve purchased previously, then one that I haven’t. But overall advertisements are still annoying to me.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Aclare16, I agree that discussing ads in class has made me open my eyes and see how much advertisements influence me. I also always want food when I see a commercial for a restaurant, one that comes to mind are the taco bell tv commercials..haha. Clothes ads aren’t very influential on me either, I think because just by going to school, and interacting with others, we know what kinds of clothes we like. In a way I guess that is a type of advertisements itself. Like you said, advertising doesn’t play a large role in my life, but subconsciously, I am beginning to realize that it might. TV ads can be really annoying, but they definitely benefit the companies that buy them.
ReplyDeleteIn response to KaylaJohnson, I too am a sucker for the cool designed bottles and new product ads. Also, the fact that advertisements are everywhere, basically linked to everything we do. Ads are very important because they help the economy grow. Also, being a consumer, good ads make or break a lot of products. There are probably some great products or product ideas out there but with bad advertisements that are not purchased. Hand in hand, there are some very stupid products with great advertisements that grow exponentially. I am also interested in the graphic design portion of the advertisement world.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Aclare16, I agree that advertising does play a huge role in peoples life whether someone thinks they are immune to them or not. I do not think that I am completely immune to them. I just think that there are some things or ideas of the media that I do not agree with. There are definitely little things like food or clothes advertisements that tend to affect me more than most of them. However, I definitely think about my purchases also. I do not buy anything unless I know for sure that I am going to use it.
ReplyDeleteIn response to EmilyTan, I now look at ads everywhere I go. I go to the super market and see so many things that catch my eye, and now see how and why the consumers made their products that way. There are truly so many advertisements everywhere we look. Whether their posters on the walls of the hallway, or commercials while I’m watching TV, there is always something being advertised. I also agree that food advertisements make me EXTREMLY hungry and I always want to go to the McDonalds, Wendy’s, BBking, etc. EmilyTan, I’m glad I’m on the only one who feels this way!
ReplyDeleteIn response to nikki.cog I agree that ads are a very important in our lives, they affect most decisions that people make, and they are always thrown in your face trying to get you to buy what they are selling. I also agree that most commercials on Television all start to become similar like the car commercials, but then one brand, or a few will start to be creative and take initiative and try to be new and attract more and new customers. Although I like to think i don't let ads influence me so much but i do have favorite brands and their ads are usually the more "fun" ones.
ReplyDeleteIn response to haley.k, I completely agree with ads get me to buy the more specific things. I am always looking for a good deal whenever I am shopping. I also agree with your like in movie trailers. I love watching movies and so I love when a new movie trailer comes out. My friends and I always pick movies to see based on the trailers. As to product jingles or slogans, they always stick. I still remember the “Empire” commercials from when we were kids, and catch myself singing it in my head when the commercial comes on.
ReplyDeleteI respond to Josh Werner's comment in that I agree that the majority of all ads don't really affect me. I find that most ads are more annoying than informational. When I watch a TV show or a football game I usually go get something to eat or go to the bathroom when a TV commercial comes on. I also find myself tuning out commercials when they come on. Ads don't compel me to go out and buy something right then and there. Instead I find that most ads are more informational than persuasive, and some ads I find somewhat amusing too.
ReplyDeleteI response to Mr Laird, I don't believe anyone is “Immune” to advertisements as we watch them everyday theres bound to be something you see that catches your eye. I agree that adverts that represent a particular field of interest for you are extremely powerful. Nike for example spend a lot of money on their commercial campaigns ensuring that they stand out. Their adverts are like mini movies and always generate a lot of interest on the web, this in turn only advertises Nike further. Lets not lie Lairdy we know you purchased lynx and it just didn't work for you, Im guessing this wad down to the consumer rather than the product.
ReplyDeleteI like to think that most ads dont affect me. I think that they occasionally get my attention or get a reaction out of me but for the most part i think im immune to them. like i would say that i have never seen a commercial that made me want to go out and buy whatever it is there trying to get me to buy unless i already wanted it to begin with. For example if i already really wanted a burger from mcdonalds and a commercial for it came on i might say i really want to go get mcdonalds. But most of the time i dont think ads sway me one way or the other. There are alot of new ads though that make me mad because they all have some fat stupid white person and some really good put together minority or women. To me its like "O were not a racist company" but in reality there depicting all white males as the dumbest people to walk the face of the earth. I guess there always has to be sombody stupid but maybe just maybe they could have a dumb minority or women just to mix things up.
ReplyDeleteIn response to what josh said i guess i could see myself buying somthing maybe later down the road because they seemed cool at the time i saw the commercial. Its hard to say though how big an impact those ads had on me. I feel like for the most part i buy things out necessity and not because i saw an ad for somthing but thats just me and i think it might be different for girls.
ReplyDelete