Main Points of Advertising
The main points of advertising are to create desires, and wants that formerly did not exist. “Advertising sells more than products, it sells values, images, concepts, and above all, normalcy…it tells us who we are and who we should be…Advertising teaches us above all to be consumers. It teaches us that happiness can be bought, that there are instant solutions to life’s complex problems, and that products can fulfill us and meet our deepest human needs” (The Ad and the Ego). Advertising is selling a desire. Consumers do not have the time and attention span to research products and see which brands are most effective or beneficial; therefore, they trust the ads. What consumers find out about a product, and which brand is better is done by advertising (Day 34). The Ad and the Ego has a strong bias. It disagrees with advertising. It proves more negative points, and makes advertising look bad.
Five Types of Propaganda Used in Advertising
There are five types of propaganda used in advertising. The first type is called bandwagon. Bandwagon is persuading a consumer by telling them that others are doing the same thing (Propaganda Techniques in Advertising). An example is in soft drink ads there will be many attractive young people having fun on a beach (Advertising Lecture). The second type is called testimonial. Testimonial is when a product is sold by using words from famous people or an authority figure (Propaganda Techniques in Advertising). An example of testimonial is, “Nine out of ten dentists recommend this type of toothpaste” (Advertising Lectures). The next type is transfer, which is when a product is sold by the name or picture of a famous person or thing, but no words from the person or thing (Propaganda Techniques in Advertising), for example political advertisements might use the American flag to help sell the product (Advertising Lecture). The fourth type of propaganda techniques that is used is repetition. Repetition is when the product’s name is repeated at least four times in the ad. The last type is called emotional words. That is when words that will make a consumer feel strongly about someone or something are used (Propaganda Techniques in Advertising). For example, Ralph Lauren sells there perfume by showing a romantic love seen and just putting the word romance on the ad. The five propaganda techniques can be extremely successful in selling
Bandwagon Testimony
Transfer Repetition
Emotional Words
A
Additional ADVERTISING TECHNIQUES
AVANTE GARDE
The suggestion that using this product puts the user ahead of the times e.g. a toy manufacturer encourages kids to be the first on their block to have a new toy.
FACTS AND FIGURESStatistics and objective factual information is used to prove the superiority of the product e.g. a car manufacturer quotes the amount of time it takes their car to get from 0 to 100 k.p.h.
WEASEL WORDS“Weasel words" are used to suggest a positive meaning without actually really making any guarantee e.g. a scientist says that a diet product might help you to lose weight the way it helped him to lose weight.
MAGIC INGREDIENTS
The suggestion that some almost miraculous discovery makes the product exceptionally effective e.g. a pharmaceutical manufacturer describes a special coating that makes their pain reliever less irritating to the stomach than a competitor`s.
PATRIOTISMThe suggestion that purchasing this product shows your love of your country e.g. a company brags about its product being made in America and employing American workers.
DIVERSIONDiversion seems to tackle a problem or issue, but then throws in an emotional non-sequitor or distraction. e.g. a tobacco company talks about health and smoking, but then shows a cowboy smoking a rugged cigarette after a long day of hard work.
TRANSFER
Words and ideas with positive connotations are used to suggest that the positive qualities should be associated with the product and the user e.g. a textile manufacturer wanting people to wear their product to stay cool during the summer shows people wearing fashions made from their cloth at a sunny seaside setting where there is a cool breeze.
PLAIN FOLKS
The suggestion that the product is a practical product of good value for ordinary people e.g. a cereal manufacturer shows an ordinary family sitting down to breakfast and enjoying their product.
SNOB APPEAL
The suggestion that the use of the product makes the customer part of an elite group with a luxurious and glamorous life style e.g. a coffee manufacturer shows people dressed in formal gowns and tuxedos drinking their brand at an art gallery.
BRIBERYBribery seems to give a desirable extra something. We humans tend to be greedy. e.g. Buy a burger; get free fries.
TESTIMONIAL
A famous personality is used to endorse the product e.g. a famous basketball player (Michael Jordan) recommends a particular brand of skates.
WIT AND HUMOR
Customers are attracted to products that divert the audience by giving viewers a reason to laugh or to be entertained by clever use of visuals or language.
SIMPLE SOLUTIONSAvoid complexities, and attack many problems to one solutions. e.g. Buy this makeup and you will be attractive, popular, and happy.
CARD STACKINGThe propaganda technique of Card-Stacking is so widespread that we may not always be aware of its presence in a commercial. Basically, Card-Stacking means stacking the cards in favor of the product; advertisers stress is positive qualities and ignore negative. For example, if a brand of snack food is loaded with sugar (and calories), the commercial may boast that the product is low in fat, which implies that it is also low in calories. Card-Stacking is such a prevalent rational propaganda technique that gives us only part of the picture.
GLITTERING GENERALITIESThe glittering generalities technique uses appealing words and images to sell the product. The message this commercial gives, through indirectly, is that if you buy the item, you will be using a wonderful product, and it will change your life. This cosmetic will make you look younger, this car will give you status, this magazine will make you a leader-all these commercials are using Glittering Generalities to enhance product appeal.
BANDWAGON Bandwagon is a form of propaganda that exploits the desire of most people to join the crowd or be on the winning side, and avoid winding up the losing side. Few of us would want to wear nerdy cloths, smell differently from everyone else, or be unpopular.
The popularity of a product is important to many people. Even if most of us say we make out own choice when buying something we often choose well-advertised items- the popular ones. Advertising copywriters must be careful with the bandwagon propaganda technique because most of us see ourselves as individuals who think for themselves. If Bandwagon commercial is to obvious, viewers may reject the product outright.
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.