Resources Week 5 Readings And Videos Choose A Product Or Ser
Resourcesweek 5 Readings And Videoschoosea Product Or Service From Th
Resources: Week 5 readings and videos Choose a product or service from these examples: Fast food Class of consumer product Personal care Automobile Research the Internet to analyze how that product or service has been advertised. Prepare a 15- to 20-slide Microsoft ® PowerPoint ® presentation in which you investigate the role of advertising in a culture of consumerism. Be sure to discuss the following: Who determines ethical standards for advertising? In what ways has advertising affected American culture? What are the key persuasive techniques used in consumer advertising? Illustrate with specific examples, explaining how each technique works. Discuss some of the critical issues that may arise from the following areas: Children and advertising Advertising in schools Health and advertising Political advertising Find one example of a commercial that strikes you as particularly creative and appealing: What are the elements that are unusual? What is the target group of the commercial? How does the commercial appeal to consumers? Why do you believe this commercial to be effective in brand name recognition? How are ethical standards met (or pushed to their limits)? Illustrate your findings with specific examples. List any references on the last slide. Format consistent with APA formatting guidelines.
Paper For Above instruction
Resourcesweek 5 Readings And Videoschoosea Product Or Service From Th
The influence of advertising on consumer culture is profound and multifaceted, shaping societal values, behaviors, and perceptions. This essay explores how a chosen product—fast food—has been advertised, the ethical standards governing such advertising, and its impact on American culture. It also examines persuasive techniques used, critical issues in advertising such as advertising aimed at children, schools, health, and politics, and analyzes an example commercial that exemplifies creative advertising.
Role of Advertising in Consumer Culture
Advertising plays a pivotal role in creating consumer demand and shaping societal norms. It determines what products are desirable and influences consumer perceptions of need versus want. The advertising industry is largely regulated by federal agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which sets standards and guidelines for truthful and non-deceptive advertising. However, within these regulations, advertisers often push boundaries to attract attention and drive sales.
Impact of Advertising on American Culture
Advertising has significantly affected American culture by promoting materialism, shaping gender roles, and influencing lifestyle choices. For example, fast food advertising emphasizes convenience, affordability, and fun, which have become central values in American society. Advertisements often depict idealized images and aspirational lifestyles that consumers emulate, contributing to a culture driven by consumption and instant gratification.
Persuasive Techniques in Consumer Advertising
Key persuasive techniques include emotional appeal, social proof, repetition, scarcity, and celebrity endorsement. For instance, fast food advertisements often use vivid imagery and emotional appeals to evoke hunger or happiness, linking the product to joyful family moments. Repetition reinforces brand recognition, while limited-time offers create a sense of urgency.
Examples and Explanations of Persuasive Techniques
- Emotional Appeal: Marketing campaigns often use happiness, family bonding, or nostalgia to connect emotionally with consumers (Smith, 2020).
- Social Proof: Testimonial and peer influence are used to validate the product’s desirability.
- Scarcity and Urgency: Limited-time offers prompt immediate purchase decisions.
- Celebrity Endorsement: Using popular figures to influence fans and followers.
Critical Issues in Advertising
Children and Advertising
Advertising to children raises ethical concerns due to their impressionability. Studies show that children cannot differentiate between advertising and entertainment effectively, making them vulnerable to materialistic messages (Calvert, 2018). Regulations exist in some countries to limit advertising during children's programming, but enforcement varies.
Advertising in Schools
Commercials and promotional materials in schools may influence young students' preferences and purchasing habits. Critics argue it compromises educational environments and exploits children's trust (Hastings et al., 2014).
Health and Advertising
The marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children and adolescents has been linked to obesity and related health issues. Marketing regulations aim to reduce this, but enforcement is challenging, and many companies continue to advertise unhealthy products aggressively (Hastings et al., 2013).
Political Advertising
Political ads aim to sway public opinion and voter behavior. Ethical concerns include misinformation, negative campaigning, and the use of microtargeting techniques that can manipulate or deceive constituents (Mourão & Nevarez, 2020).
Creative and Effective Commercial Example
A notable example is the Nike "Just Do It" campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick. This commercial stood out for its boldness, social relevance, and emotional appeal. Unusual elements included its focus on social justice issues and the use of a polarizing figure, which sparked discussions nationwide. The target audience spans sports enthusiasts, politically aware consumers, and brand-conscious individuals. The commercial appeals to consumers by aligning Nike with values of perseverance and activism. Its effectiveness in brand recognition derives from its emotional resonance and alignment with social movements, reinforcing Nike’s image as a progressive brand (Johnson, 2018).
Ethical Standards and Their Limits
Advertising ethics are governed by industry codes and regulations, but companies sometimes push these boundaries to gain competitive advantage. For example, claims about health benefits in advertising are often exaggerated or unsubstantiated, risking consumer deception (Federal Trade Commission, 2015). Ethical lapses, such as targeting vulnerable populations like children or promoting unhealthy products, highlight the tension between commercial interests and societal responsibility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, advertising profoundly influences American consumer culture by employing persuasive techniques while navigating complex ethical considerations. While advertising drives economic growth and consumer engagement, it also raises critical issues regarding honesty, manipulation, and the exploitation of vulnerable populations. Responsible advertising practices and effective regulation are essential to balance commercial interests with societal well-being.
References
- Calvert, S. L. (2018). Children’s Advertising and Marketing Ethics. Journal of Advertising, 47(2), 123-135.
- Federal Trade Commission. (2015). Disclosure of Advertising and Endorsements. FTC Guidelines.
- Hastings, G., Stead, M., & Webster, J. (2014). Advertising to Children and Educational Settings. Health Education Research, 29(6), 940-950.
- Hastings, G., Cooke, M., & Webb, J. (2013). Marketing Obesity: Obesity and the Role of Food Marketing. Health Education Research, 28(4), 540-552.
- Johnson, M. (2018). Nike’s "Just Do It" Campaign and Social Activism. Marketing Journal, 33(4), 210-222.
- Mourão, R. R., & Nevarez, L. (2020). Political Advertising and Ethical Challenges in Microtargeting. Communication & Society, 33(5), 1-15.
- Smith, J. (2020). Emotional Appeals in Advertising: Psychological Perspectives. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 30(3), 453-465.