COMM 406 Frith analysis

Temptations: Treats for Cats Advertisement

"Cats can't resist"

Surface Meaning:

The quick impression that any person might receive from this advertisement is the simple conclusion of a man sitting down outside in a chair feeding his pet cat "temptations" treats, a cat jumping up and down catching the treats and a woman in working clothes walking in to find out, out of curiosity, what the man is doing.

The Advertiser's intended meaning:

What the advertiser intends to get across is the clear understanding that this product will satisfy your cat to the point of leading  it into an irresistible, impulsive allurement that the cats will do anything to get their paws on them. 

The Cultural or Ideological meaning:

• The name of the brand "Temptations" for starters is a big cultural and ideological meaning that states that the product is something that allures and entices the cats to temptation which is the idea that once we release the tension, we feel better. The name wants to show that the product is desirable because it's forbidden, out-of-reach, or hard to obtain.
•  The woman in working clothes indicates that in our culture today, we no longer have the idea that the woman's only job is to stay home, cook, clean and take care of the children. This advertisement shows that women today work and can be in a position where she "wears the pants in the house" while the man may not have to. 
• Another thing that jumps out at me in this commercial concerning our culture is the apartment. The apartment in this ad shows that the residents are wealthy and can afford much. This tells us  a little bit about the audience that they are trying to reach; people who can afford to buy their pets these treats frequently. 
• The soundtrack played in this ad gives us the perception that the mood is exciting and cheery. The commercial tries to influence the consumers emotions through this.

COMM 406 The Persuaders

Give Them What They Want!

Other than the nice themed beat throughout the documentary "The persuaders", there are several things that were quite interesting. One main growing problem for advertisers is the increasing demand for more attractive advertising. I found it fascinating how the more messages they make,the more they will have to make to reach the public which eventually creates a black smokey cloud of bombarding advertisement. Another thing that caught my eye is how this documentary spake on advertisers never willing to stop. If they stop, then will they lose public attraction and will soon be forgotten by the public. This leaves advertisers to develop continual methods to grab the attention of the public to promote businesses and ideas. Advertisers find more and more with ways to convey messages that will strategically allure individuals by emotional manipulation; though the consumers themselves believe services and product to exist for self benefiting edification for one's own good. New approaches are continually being developed to engage in consumers wants in a more needful way. It's no longer about what a product can do for you, but it's what the product means to you; the personal connection it has within a  culture. Moreover, I have considered the background and history in which advertising has changed to be compelling in its public influence. Many target points by which advertising used to grab the interest of consumers has been redirected. The concern is no longer to compete to have the best outstanding product, but it is the way in which advertising can cause an individual to feel a more spiritual and deeper connection to the ad. The fulfillment of consumers longing desires to feel wanted and accepted within society is what advertisers desire initiate and establish within their methods of advertising. Advertising has now indirectly and invisibly caught the deeper satisfaction of consumers. It is not obvious in what is happening but it sure does satisfy people. Due to the wide growth in advertising, people are now overlooking what they may need to get what they want. 

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/persuaders/etc/rushkoff.html