Ad Analysis Assignment: Choose For This Task

Ad Analysis Assignmentfor This Assignment I Want You Choose One Adver

For this assignment, I want you to choose one advertisement (best ones for this are probably in magazines or on TV) and analyze its strategies. Answer the following questions. 1. Describe what the ad is for and where you saw it (what publication, or during what program). 2. Briefly summarize what the ad says, what it shows and what is happening in the ad. (If it’s a magazine ad, please paste a photo of it into your paper; this won’t count toward the page limit. If it’s a TV ad, chances are it’s on the sponsor’s website or YouTube – please give me the URL.) 3. What is the “sales pitch” of the ad? Is the product posed as the solution to a problem, and if so, how? Does it sell based on logic and reason? What human emotions, needs or wants does the ad appeal to? (Fear? Ambition? Sex? Elitism? Acceptance? Hedonism/pleasure?) What evidence do you see that leads you to this conclusion? 4. How do the visuals reinforce this message? Consider setting, clothing, facial expressions, gender, age, race, body type, class, background objects, lighting, color, camera angles, etc. 5. What values does the ad celebrate? What does it put down or poke fun at? Who are the heroes and villains? Explain. 6. What background knowledge would we need to interpret the ad? (Cultural in-jokes, celebrities, old sayings, common beliefs, symbolism, stories or movies?) Are any stereotypes employed in the ad? Are they reinforced or undermined? How so? 7. Give your best guess as to who the target market for the ad is, in terms of age, interests, income, gender and/or race. What evidence suggests this? I’ll be looking for quality of insight, strength of argument, and level of evidence. Shoot for two to three pages on this.

Paper For Above instruction

The advertisement selected for analysis is a magazine ad for Nike, which I encountered in a sports magazine last month. The ad features a prominent image of a young, athletic woman in mid-stride wearing Nike sportswear, with the slogan “Just Do It” boldly displayed beneath. The ad’s visual layout is dynamic, with the athlete set against a stark, muted background that emphasizes her motion and determination. The ad's message and visual components work together to sell a lifestyle of perseverance and empowerment associated with Nike products.

The ad’s core message revolves around motivation and self-empowerment. It suggests that wearing Nike gear helps individuals overcome obstacles and realize their athletic potential. This is reinforced by the imagery of the woman in motion, symbolizing determination and resilience, and the minimalist background that keeps the focus on her and the message. The slogan “Just Do It” functions as a direct call to action, encouraging viewers to push their limits regardless of challenges. The ad appeals less to logical reasoning and more to emotional desire—namely, the human need for achievement, acceptance, and self-improvement. It evokes feelings of ambition, strength, and confidence.

Visual elements play a critical role in reinforcing the ad’s message. The setting is simple but impactful—focused on the athlete herself—highlighting her physicality and determination. The clothing is sporty and functional, signaling active living. Her facial expression and posture exude focus and resolve, inspiring viewers to emulate her perseverance. The use of vibrant colors on her apparel contrasted with the subdued background emphasizes energy and vitality. Lighting highlights her form, drawing attention to her muscles and motion, while camera angles capture her from a low perspective, making her appear larger-than-life—symbolic of overcoming adversity.

The ad celebrates values such as perseverance, individual achievement, and empowerment. It implicitly praises a culture that values hard work and resilience. Conversely, the ad tends to belittle passivity or complacency by contrasting active pursuit with inactivity, which is suggested by the dynamic pose of the athlete versus the plain background. The hero in the ad is clearly the athlete herself, embodying strength and determination, while the “villain” could be viewed as self-doubt or societal stereotypes that discourage women from pursuing athletic endeavors. The message implicitly champions breaking gender stereotypes by highlighting a woman in a traditionally male-dominated sphere of athleticism.

Interpreting the ad requires some background cultural knowledge, such as awareness of Nike’s brand identity centered on motivation and achievement. The slogan “Just Do It” has become an emblem of perseverance in sports culture, often associated with iconic athletes and campaigns. Stereotypes related to gender may be present; for example, the ad challenges stereotypes that women are less athletic or less capable of physical exertion. The portrayal of a strong female athlete helps to undermine such stereotypes, encouraging empowerment for women in sports. However, the focus on physical appearance and attractiveness may also reinforce certain consumerist stereotypes about women’s fitness and beauty standards.

The target audience for this ad appears to be young adults, likely aged 18-35, who are interested in sports, fitness, and an active lifestyle. The emphasis on empowerment and individual achievement suggests it appeals to both men and women seeking motivation to pursue personal goals. The apparel’s style and branding are aimed at a demographic with moderate to high income levels, given Nike’s positioning as a premium sportswear brand. The athletic female model’s age and physique appeal to gender stereotypes of youthful vigor and attractiveness, which are common targets in sports advertising. The ad’s overall tone and visual cues suggest an appeal to consumers who value ambition, health, and self-improvement, aligning with Nike’s brand ethos.

References

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