Blog #6 - Product Placement

To be honest, I always notice when advertisers try to "subtly" place their products in television shows and movies. I usually spot it right away, but it doesn't affect me at all. Just becuase I see a bottle of Coke in my favorite television show doesn't mean I will only drink Coke from now on. I really find it funny when certain reality shows slightly blur the product but not that effectively since most people can still name the brand. I think this draws even more attention to the product and I find it somewhat silly. I think this tactic is less effective on teens because they aren't as greatly influenced by advertisements and they can see past the advertiser's main goal - to hook the consumer. I assume this, since I'm a teenage myself. I usually just buy what I want, not something I see a very popular television show or movie advertise.

Blog #5 - all about ads

When I drive to school, practice, or anywhere else, I usually don't listen to the radio. I usually just pop in a CD because I find radio ads very annoying and quite lengthy. When I drove to school this morning, I actually did listen to the radio to listen closer to the commercials so I could analyze them for this blog. The one thing that radio advertisements need to do is capture its audience in some catchy way because there are no visuals. The ad that I found most outrageous and memorable was the ad for male sexual enhancement. I think it's very odd to have such a racy ad circulating through the radio for anyone to hear. The ad definitely targeted males, most likely in their 30's or 40's. The ad definitely used weasel word. It stated that it can "enhance" and "heighten" sexual pleasure. The ad also touched on the claim that they are better than the rest because the product will change your life and make it a lot better. There was also come classical conditioning mixed in the ad with the music played - when most people hear the catchy tune they play, they automatically think "natural male enhancement" (I know I do). I think all these tactics really work becuase it's playing on something that men can be very insecure about. When the ad says it can change your sex life and make your partner exceptionally happy, they would do anything to achieve that status.