Are You Living with a Paper Monster?

On the top panel of the ad, it show a messy, chaotic desk with a monster made of paper. Ahhh what a nightmare that would be. To bad we can't do anything about it--oh wait, yes you can! Underneath the upper panel it shows a nice, neat contraption: The NeatDesk. The NeatDesk is a desktop scanner that allows you to scan documents and have an ultimately neater desk, one without a paper monster. 

This ad uses Need to Achieve. Many people are too lazy to take the time and effort to clean up their desk. The advertisers are saying that with this Neat thingydoodad, it is easy to clean up all the papers on your desk. You can achieve a clean-desk status! 

I think this ad is effective because provided a simple solution to a messy desk. Just scan papers here and wah-laa! All neat. 

McDonald's Happy Meal Ad

Ew McDonalds...lets see hmm well first things first, the target audience are moms with young girls. On the ad, it shows a happy young girl holding a Happy Meal being hugged by her mom. When moms to see this, the advertisers want the moms to think: "I want to buy this so my little girl is happy too!" and go buy a Happy Meal. 

Also, for every 'i' in the text, they replace the dot with a heart. I think this contributes to the Need to Nurture because as you read the text, you see that when you purchase a Happy Meal, the Ronald McDonald House Program donates money to help families find hope and a home. But how much money do they donate? I looked over the ad and at first I thought it didn't say anything about it, but as I looked over it again I saw in a very small print almost matching the background colour that the Program donates a penny for every Happy Meal sold. A penny...that isn't a lot. Makes my need-to-nurture feelings go away. 

All in all I think this ad is quite effective. Its use of Appeals and word choice in the text made me want to go buy Happy Meals. 

Campbell's Slow Kettle Soups

The main thing in this ad is Physiological Needs. If you come across this advertisement before lunch or before dinner, the big, steamy bowl of soup looks real appetizing. Campbell's is trying hit our need for good, tasty food by advertising their new line of soups. I also thought this ad's placement in the magazine was quite interesting. A couple pages before it was an article on how to prepare steak and tri-tip Martha Stewart style. Within the article, there were several pictures of nice, steamy, juicy steak. Then BAM, right in the middle of the article there is this Campbell's ad. Very strategic placement if you ask me. Because of its placement, I think it was an effective ad. You get hungry looking at the steak and tri-tip then you get even more hungry when you see a bowl of soup. 

HTC Rhyme

One of the first things I saw on this ad was: "A smarter phone that comes with its own ecosystem." An ecosystem? It comes with animals and a rainforest and a coral reef...what?? This is the need to satisfy curiosity. No where on the ad does it give any further information on this ecosystem. The advertisers make you want to buy the product so you can see what this ecosystem is. 

This is also Gestalt: Subliminal Persuasion. There is an incomplete feeling about this ad because they don't give information about the ecosystem. 

I think the target audience of this ad are teenage girls. Guys would like the purple colour of the phone. Every teen hates when they stick their earphones in their pocket and then they magically because tangled. The tangle free earphones are an attraction of this phone 

I think the ad was moderately effective.

Lancome Visionaire LR 2412 Advanced Skin Corrector

One of the things this ad says is that it is the first skin care with LR 2412 molecules. What the heck are those?? This is the need for curiosity. By saying this, the advertisers get you to buy the product out of curiosity so you can see what these LR 2412 molecules do to your skin. 

The target audience for this product are probably women 20-30 years old. By showing the young, attractive woman in the picture, the advertisers are saying, "By using this product, you will be transformed by the LR 2412 molecules! Your skin will look just like her's and you will be beautiful!" 

 The advertisement technique in this ad is glittering generalities. They are using the appealing word 'advanced' to sell the product. Not only is this a skin corrector, it is an ADVANCED skin corrector. Oooooo its so much better than just skin corrector 'cause its advanced. 

This ad was effective in my opinion because if I was a woman who wanted more beautiful skin, I would definitely go out and by this because of the LR 2414 thingy. 

Caesars Palace

This is an add for Caesars Palace.

The first thing I noticed in this ad was the need for aesthetic sensations. I think it is pretty obvious since 80% of the picture has a gold hue to it. Also, it look reallllllly nice. There several huge fountains with nice aquamarine coloured water as well as massive, expensive-looking hotel in the background. Beauty attracts us and when people see this picture, they think, "Ooooo that looks real nice, I wish I could go there." 

I also feel that the need to escape was also thrown in a little bit. The ad depicts an extravagant scene and as you look at it you can imagine yourself going there. The more you imagine it, the more you want to escape from where you are and go to Caesars Palace. 

I think this ad was effective because the colours really drew my attention away from all the other ads in the magazine. It makes me want to go there too. 

McDonalds.......

Oh boy, an ad for McDonalds...lets see...

A Wholesome Harmony...hmm well this ad is obviously for Walmart. 
...

Haha no, this ad illustrates a woman made entirely out of grains sitting on what seems to be a walnut shell in a sea of oats. With the occasional blueberry here and there. McDonalds is generally known for being unhealthy and I feel that they are trying to say, "Look! We have this! It is healthy. We aren't so bad anymore, are we?" 

Also, at the bottom of the ad, it says "Treat yourself to a spoonful of goodness." This is the appeal for Physiological needs. If you are hungry in the morning and you are reading this magazine on the way to work, nice hot oatmeal sounds nice, huh? That is what this ad is trying to get at. It lists all the ingredients at the bottom: fresh, seasonal blueberries, premium walnuts, a hint of real banana (0.0 have they been using FAKE bananas????) and two servings of whole grain oats. Sounds real good. 

Also, I see the advertising technique Time Pressure/Urgency. They say they are there for a limited time making you want to get one before it is gone. 

Personally, this ad failed for me. I dislike McDonalds with a passion and none of their products, no matter how it is advertised, appeals to me in any manner whatsoever. 

Aveeno Active Naturals

I also saw this ad in the Better Homes and Gardens magazine. 

On this ad, a woman with flawless skin is shown. This Aveeno Active Naturals contains the appeal of need for attention. Not to be stereotypical, but women care a lot about their appearance. How their skin looks is something of importance. This ad shows a woman with flawless skin and on the side of her picture, the ad states 3 things:

• "works in harmony with your skin's unique chemistry to speed the renewal process"
• "94% of women saw improved firmness, fine lines or elasticity 
• reveals younger-looking skin, naturally beautiful skin

I think the target audience for this ad is women from age 30 on up. I mean, who doesn't want to look younger? The advertisers are saying that you could get ride of lines, wrinkles and spots so your skins looks younger. It doesn't actually make your skin your skin younger, it only makes it look younger. Also, it says on the side Shiitake Complex. What the heck is that? That is the need to satisfy curiosity. It makes you wonder what in the world Shiitake Complex is and makes you want to buy the product out of curiosity to see what it does. 

I think this ad is effective because of the statistic "94% of women saw improved..." If I was a women and I was concerned about my skin, I would buy this because the statistic convinced me. 

Puppies and Beehives...Ouch..

I was looking through a Better Homes and Gardens magazine and I saw this ad. 

This ad is advertising for VPI Pet Insurance. The ad contains a picture of a puppy running towards a hive of honeybees. On top of the picture are the words: Oh, no, he didn't. Oh, yes, he did. You can't explain risk to your dog. 

This add employs two appeals: the need to nurture and the need to feel safe. The ad illustrates an innocent puppy running straight towards a hive of angry, swarming bees. Puppies have to be trained so they know what is right, what is wrong and what is dangerous. They are curious about literally everything they see, smell or hear and seeing this cute, innocent puppy running towards the hive causes a feeling of panic to ensue. The viewer wants with all their heart to help this little puppy and to tell him that running into a beehive is a no-no. The ad instills a sense of panic and helplessness and then it offers relief and a solution at the bottom--VPI Pet Insurance. 

I thought this ad was fairly effective. The appeals of safety and nurture are subtle enough to where people are  unknowingly drawn in. Personally, I felt the helplessness feeling and the panic rise up when I saw this ad. I wanted to help the little puppy but I couldn't. Then a solution was offered and wah-la! the panic and helplessness feelings were gone. 

Surprise!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wIZp_E2CxQ

I was searching for interesting commercials online and I found this one. This is an advertisement for the New Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. 

Obviously this commercial is geared towards the male audience. The approach this ad takes is through the use of full and vivid action scenes filled with hordes of destruction. There are shooting missiles, guns-a-blazing, fiery explosions, sleek jets, massive tanks and billowing smoke. There are 10 main actors, all of which have some sort of weaponry. Eight of them are men. Most of the men have a rough and macho "don't-mess-with-me" appearance. The actors are 3 different ethnicities: Caucasian, African-American and Hispanic, signifying the ad's reach to a multicultural male audience. In my opinion, the advertisers are trying to get their target audience to identify with and be inspired by one of the actors in the commercial. The advertiser wants the viewer to say, "I want to dominate opponents like he did." This is all trying to influence the "soldier" in males. 

In conclusion, I think the advertising techniques that are used in this add are effective. I, myself, don't play these types of video games but if I did, I could see how this commercial would attract me in wanting to purchase this game. 

____________________
I also have to point out what appears to be a hidden Iron Man reference--just as a side note.

Eucerin: SPF Protection

I saw this in People Magazine.

So this is advertising for lotion with SPF. The advertisers are appealing to the female audience. I mean who doesn't want to be protected from SPF? I know I do. I don't want sunburns or skin cancer ahhaha. In the picture, there is a mother and daughter. The daughter is piggyback riding on her mother's back. They advertisers are saying, "You could be like them! Go playing in the sun and not worry about being harmed by SPF!"

Also, their colour scheme is pretty affective. It helps draw attention to their product. Since eyes are naturally attracted to colour, the first thing my eyes were drawn to was the picture of the product itself. It is the only thing of colour on the page. Everything else is black and white. The advertisers are trying to draw attention to their product by making it the center of your attention and the first thing you are drawn to.

Scott Naturals

So I was looking through the hordes of magazines around the house and I found this ad for the Scott Naturals brand of paper towel products.

First of all, I would like to point out that the tree growing out of the toilet paper roll. They are attempting to use Pathos to get you to buy their product. I mean, come on, who doesn't love our shade-giving pals? The Trees! Also, I am sure that many people know there is a tree crisis down in our rainforests and that many scores of acres of trees are being cut down each day. Scott Naturals is trying to say you save trees by using their product.

But wait. Down at the very, very bottom in the fine print it says, "These...products are made with a blend of virgin fiber and at least 20% recycled material in products or packaging." First off, what the heck is virgin fiber??? And the paper towel products are still made out of trees...so are we reeeaaaaaaalllly Savin trees by using their products?

I also have to comment on their colour scheme. Green. Green, green, green. Even the "Help save 2 million trees without even noticing." is green. Also, they have "nature" in their brand name. When you run out of toilet paper or paper towels at home and you run to Target or something to buy more, the advertisers want you to think, "Hmmm I'm gonna buy Scott Naturals! I save 2 million trees WITHOUT noticing when I use this :D :D :D" and associate their product with nature and trees.

I think this ad was a pretty effective ad. I mean, after I read it I was like, "Mom! Lets to buy this! Seeeeeee we save trees :3" their use of Pathos, their colour scheme and wording made it a convincing ad.

Justin Beiber: Macy's Black Friday Sale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyBJE3j4aTU

I was looking for commercials on YouTube and I saw this. I was laughing so hard I had to take a break to calm down before I could write my reflection. As I was watching the commercial, I saw that Justin Beiber walked passed workers unloading products from his product line (See pictures) Since a lot of girls like Justin Beiber, it was smart of the advertisers to center the entire commercial around him. It would attract girls and keep their attention throughout the commercial. Also, a lot of guys immediately stop paying attention if anything that has to do with Justin Beiber comes up so introducing hilarity in the very beginning of the commercial was smart method. Since it is the Black Friday sale, it also helps Macy's attract customers. 

PSY + Tom Cruise = Too Much Awesome.

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/11/28/5014968/rapper-psy-wants-tom-cruise-to.html

I was doing my current event for Mr. Wong and I happened to come across this article. Probably almost everyone in the world knows about PSY's Gangnam Style. With 850m views and counting, it is the most famous and viewed video on YouTube. PSY was at a press conference and he was asked the question, "If you could have any celebrity come and dance your dance with you, who would it be?" PSY answered, "I would pick Tom Cruise." I thought it was interesting he chose Tom Cruise. Both PSY and Tom Cruise are pretty famous for various reasons. If Tom Cruise and PSY both danced in a video, it would make them both become a little more famous. Personally, I would definitely want watch PSY and Tom Cruise dance Gangnam Style. That would be hilarious! 

In a way, I think this was subtle advertising for PSY's video and the reputation for both of the Stars. If people don't know about something, what greater way is there to advertise than in a newspaper! I think this is effective advertising because it is just subtle enough to get lodged into your brain without knowing it was advertising. 

Ninja Proof. Ninja Safe.

First things first. I thought this was the most amusing bill-board-type advertisement I had ever seen! My dad and I were about to drive onto the freeway but I begged him to turn around so I could go take a picture of this. When people see or hear the word "ninja," some feeling of awe and admiration immediately pops into mind. I think our society has stuck certain awe-inspiring, death defying definitions onto "ninja." Here are some definitions UrbanDictionary.com—a website that has society's definition of words—gives:

1) Ninja:
Bullets can't kill a ninja, in fact, bullets dodge ninjas.
Only a ninja can kill a ninja, regular humans are useless.
Ninjas can breath underwater anytime they want.
Ninjas can change clothes in less than 1 second.
Ninjas use smoke bombs.
Ninjas always land on their feet.
Ninjas can crush golfballs with two fingers, any two fingers.

2) Ninjas
Can split planks vertically with their nose.
Can remove shadow if needed.
In an average living room, there are 1,300 objects ninjas could use to kill you–including the room itself.
Ninjas are masters of disguise.
Ninjas can speak in Wingdings.

3) Ninja
A mercenary or warrior who it trained in the art of ninjutsu or a Japanese martial-arts style which involves stealth, speed, mastery of various weapons and efficient and deadly combat tactics.

A ninja's movement was like the water rippling against the disemboweled corpse of the samurai who dared to challenge him.

Many of these definitions and descriptions are awe inspiring. Some of the actions people say ninjas can do are pretty much impossible and of superhuman quality. Bay Alarm is using society's definitions to help their advertising. If a ninja who is a master of disguise and has super human strength, stealth and speed can't get past their alarm system, who can?