media and advertising?

Question

We are all influenced by the media and advertising. What types of advertising campaigns are most effective on you personally? Cite specific examples. What rhetorical devices do they use, and why do you think they are so effective?

Answer 1

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I know I'm SOMETIMES a sucker for packaging and media hype. The Nintendo Wii and iPod both stick out in my mind as examples of products I might've succumbed to purchase due to good packaging and media hype. I own both. Coincidentally, both are almost the same color. As for rhetorical devices... ? The Wii has been taughted as being extremely fun, and involving active participation, as opposed to similar products that are more passive. Almost everybody in the media claims they are "working up a sweat" when they play.

The iPod's unspoken rhetorical devices ("you're not cool unless...") is something I like to think were not much of a factor for me. But if I'm honest with myself, it's possible they were. I don't think anybody is totally impervious, either. For iPod, I was really attracted to the convenience the product provided, ease of use, and the sharp look. But being on the cutting-edge (which it was at the time) is attractive to me.

Advertising for the iPod's and the Wii's are effective on me because they use integration-type advertising to enter into the mainstream conciousness. Advertisements are being disguised as news reports (Wii controllers being thrown through TV's) or household hints (watch TLC). I'm completely aware of it, as I'm always pointing out product placement on TV, in movies, etc., and I'm a constant observer of new techniques. But they come at you with it over and over and over again, that "you must have this" becomes a fact.

Then there's the idea that the more expensive it is, the better it must be. I'm guilty of falling for this from time to time. I didn't fall for this one, but the most laughably transparent advertising has to be Leptoprin or Leptopril. "When is a diet pill worth more than $150 a bottle? When it works. It actually works... Leptoprin is much too strong for the casual dieter." Also, there was study recently that had shown the most expensive wrinkle removers were amongst the least effective. Go figure.

Answer 2

These days everything has a spin. I'm not entirely moved by advertising (I still buy jeans at Walmart, you know? And that doesn't mean I can't afford them elsewhere)...

But I worry about younger generations. They DO fall for it. One of my little cousins, for example, is obsessed with Mary Kate and Ashley. And it's sickening how they are pretty much causing her to feel bad about her body...indirectly, of course, but still.

By the way, I also worry about the A&F stores. Everytime I walk by one of the stores I'm amazed at the amount of cheap perfume that emanates from there....poor kids.

I'm part of probably one of the last generations that understood the simple pleasure of playing with marbles as a little kid, so I guess that's the difference.

Eight year olds get Nintendo nowadays. = Sigh =

Answer 3

Cosmetics campaign, they always make us believe that with the use of their products. We'll get luscious lips, lashes, perfect skin etc. I guess they are effective because they're portraying the media's idea of perfect beauty.