BY: L.S. GRANT 10.5.18
Never did I imagine what goes into a making or generating an ad. whether it be a simple picture on a billboard, commercial, or magazine ad. They all take thought into who will be their reader, buyer, and how to grab the attention of that person. Below I will show you a few ads and will walk you through how genius, repulsive, or stereotypical some of these are.
What comes to mind when looking at this picture below?…For me, a man comes to mind. Of course I feel as a woman, Pepsi is trying display this new Pepsi Twist product to grab the male attention. Why, do I think this, you ask? Simply because a woman can not pee standing up. I must admit, it is a cute ad, but some may think it is rude and repulsive. In my opinion it seems to be meant to grab a mans’ attention. On the other hand, why can’t a woman drink Pepsi with lime? Maybe there is some math to explain this matter. I will give them the benefit of doubt and say they they could be just making light of how the lime was added, since everyone does urinate, and just maybe it is meant for both genders. However I don’t think for one bit this is how it will be taken.
Diva’s are you ready to run!? Well I am after looking at this fit lady running in her tutu. I want to be all diva’d up looking cute too! This ad is obviously geared to grab the attention of women, and I would say it worked on me. If I was to see this anywhere I would look all the information up and see how I could sign up. With it being female focused, it leaves the entire male gender left out. Who’s to say a man wouldn’t be interested in running in this 5k. Some men, such as transgender, transsexual, or men who may feel like they should be or are a women, could be interested. This is not a product they are advertising, but an event. After further researching this event on their website: www.runlikeadiva.com I believe I would be interested in attending November 2, 2019. Of course because you get to run in your tutu, boas, and tiaras. Yes, it is stereotypical not because my favorite color just happens to be pink. However, because they could have used any color; Blue, yellow, green, black. Plus, don’t have to like a certain color to be a diva. My mom is a diva and loves red. Any color could have been implemented in with this advertisement, but I don’t think it would have grabbed their focused reader as well. They could have also used a little boy or husband running beside the women. If you have cancer, I’m sure your not in it alone. You’ll need your support system by your side every step of the way. With that said I still want to make sure you know the event doesn’t completely exclude men. In the FAQs page on the website, they clearly specify that men cant attend or participate, they just can not win an award at this event. I know, it may seem unfair, but let me tell you why. This event is to raise awareness of breast cancer, which is key to the reason they chose to use the color pink. Breast Cancer is known for their pink ribbons or color as a sign of support. This 5k is organized and teamed up with the Breast Cancer Charities of America (BCCA) and raises money for iGopink. iGoPink https://thebreastcancercharities.org is a blog and website that helps cancer patients, survivors, and loved ones of those raise funds to help out during those trying times. Although this ad is very stereotypical, I am a fan! I love this ad, and support everything it stands for. I don’t think anyone would disagree to support something good like this.
The ad on the right shows an African or African American woman looking beautiful as ever with flawless radiant skin. This ad is female focused, specifically geared to women of African decent or women of color and/or with pigment. From the makeup items included with the add, it looks like it should be applied with a brush, and it comes it dark and lighter skin tones. A plus, because makeup is generally really expensive or hard to find for women of color. Why is it a plus? Because Lancome is sold in convenient stores! Most men wouldn’t know this information. Honestly I don’t think they could have added this product to include all genders. Makeup is “for the most part” gender specific. This add definitely does a good job of attracting their focused readers attention. I believe I would fit into their focused readers group. I would also buy this product or at least looking to buying it with reviewing other consumers reviews. Great job Lancome!
Mickey D’s is hiring ya’ll! Never do I ever remember McDonald’s posting or advising to hire. This is a first for me. This add does an excellent job of failing the gender stereotype. This ad gets its message out, and even tries to entice it’s focused readers; STUDENTS. Generally kids, or young adults would want to go work at McDonald’s mainly because they love the food and the bonus is they get paid on top of it. Fries and Mcflurries, heaven to this students who need some pocket change and a bit to eat after school or the College campus café closes. This doesn’t specify any gender, which is a plus. This ad doesn’t long say they are looking for student, but that they don’t need experience, and they can be part-time. Even though the hours aren’t specified, it is pretty clear, a student wouldn’t be able to work a ton of hours. All and all; I think McDonald’s did a wonderful job on this ad. It was very simply smart.
Now for a competitor…
Coke or Coka-Cola should I say, does a very good job with their add not being gender specific. The person holding the bottle of Coke could be a man or woman. You can’t tell which it really is or whether the person is older or young. So I would say it does fail to reflect the gender stereotype. They could have had a hairy armed person, which most would assume it was a man, or painted nails to imply it was a woman. But they don’t, this person doesn’t have hair arms, or painted nails. This picture just reflects a basic bare hand holding a bottle. It could anyone, which is good because it’s not offensive in any way. Brace yourself, this next one will take you for a doosie.
I saved the best for last…..
The PETA ad shown on a billboard at the bottom of this blog. This add probably got everyone’s attention and I am sure is very controversial. This one is gender stereotype, however I believe it could go both ways. I honestly can’t believe they had the nerve to print this add and actual put it up on a billboard. I’m interested in knowing how well this ad did for the company and if there was any back last on it. So lets get to the nitty gritty. This one does implicate women are fat at the beach and can’t lose weight because they eat meat. I totally disagree and think it is really ugly for them to post this. There are fat men at the beach too, and I am sure some are meat eaters.
Appears to be a sexist vegetarian who came up with this billboard. That could be taken very hurtful as well. Not all people are fat because of what they eat. Some have medical conditions, or it may be hereditary. This picture doesn’t only talk about literally saving the whales, but implies that the person standing on the beach is also a whale. They could’ve added a man, a child, or an entire family. Just to put a woman on it, it pretty cruel, when a lot of woman are already self conscious about their looks. The world would have truly been better off without this ad being printed. I hope the jerk that came up with and approved it, got fired. P.S.Thanks for for your stupid ad! https://www.peta.org
Who Are you Talkin' To? 