Week 4 EOC: The Role of Women In Advertisements

In reading a published interview with Kevin Roberts, CEO Worldwide of Saatchi & Saatchi Mr. Roberts gave the following as the five ideas he believed in:

Nothing is impossible.

One team one dream.

Think with your heart.

Be an inspirational player.

Never give the customer what she wants; give her what she never dreamed possible.

Advertising by Design GENERATING AND DESIGNING CREATIVE IDEAS ACROSS MEDIA 2nd ed. ROBIN LANDA (p 63)

Being a huge fan of the recent movie's idea of a magical world, and the initial impossible thought of slaying the Jabberwocky in Alice & Wonderland I found that a great inspirational leader may embody these ideas as his or her own throughout his or her lifetime. How can one achieve true greatness without knowing that anything is possible?

This is about a more independent topic than of all people doing the impossible. Women's role in nature and by nature may and forever be as a nurturer by no fault of her own. We were born by our mothers, and grow to bare children of our own. Advertisements of the past constantly reminded women of that role to fulfill and nothing more. This was until Rosy the Riveter when women had more than the role of the housewife to fulfill. Women were a part "the propaganda" role "of a doll in her dollhouse", as stated in the documentary, Birth of an Independent Woman. Stepping out of this dollhouse, women are still somehow placed in a box through advertising. Being sexy in an ad, and if not the woman is a crazed yelling lunatic meant to be humorous, or again a housewife. "Focus on fertility.... not a role in the work place. Conditioned to go to school to get a man" stated women in Birth of an Independent Women. They referred to the gender roles of women then in advertising.

The roles of women now is not necessarily to get a man because they have a man or they have men after them, wanting them and needing them for a very obvious reason. Their role has placed them in society as to be the image of perfection as being seen on TV. Getting the beer, being around the beer and not speaking, finding a better way to cook or clean, or just plain ole' looking pretty. When the woman is a teacher she must look pretty, when she is a marine she must look pretty, when she is old and grey, sweaty, has diarrhea and PMS at the same time she must look pretty.

Back to Mr. Roberts and his idea of "Never give the customer what she wants, give her what she dreamed never possible." I don't want to beat up Mr. Roberts because he sounds like a great guy, and of course I wouldn't want to because I'm a nurturer. The fact that in generalizing the human race as a people we use the term "men" or "man" referencing all people. He in particular being in the advertising business used "she" and "her" referencing to women. Like in our past before feminist groups took a platform in society and not in heels, there was no secret that ads were targeted to women who shopped for the household, herself, and her man. The role of women today has still not changed a bit as suggesting by using the words "she" & "her" that the women remain to be the target. If all we see is this woman catering to a man's every desire to say the least, the reflection of women's role in society is conditioned to be the same.

Week 3 EOC: Thank you for Smoking

 1. Determine the scenario: What happens in this frame?
 2. What is the setting? What are the conditions?
 3. Who are the people or groups?

 4. What is their point of view around this specific experience?

 5. What are their goals?

 6. What are their assumptions? What are their perceptions?

 7. Are there conflicts? Is there cooperation?

 8. What are the outcomes

http://digitalbookshelf.artinstitutes.edu/#/books/9781118038505/pages/28171538

This is a vintage cigarette ad that places its product in a setting that can be compromising to a person’s intellectual judgment. The frame displays a man being intrigued by a woman who is studying the “ancient philosophers”. He faces the Greek statue while holding a cigarette as he’s appears to be pondering. It appears that they could possibly be discussing intellectual findings as he smokes. The woman obviously likes him. The point of view says intellectuals smoke cigarettes. It’s a smart thing to do, & intelligent women will be attracted to you if you smoke is also a message this ad delivers by assumption and cooperation. The outcome of this ad may be that they end up being together discussing philosophy and smoking cigarettes.

Is this truly what cigarettes do? Arguably the answer in relevance to the evaluation may be yes. That is for the consumer of these products to decide and decisions are what tobacco makers give. Now with warning labels of the harmful effects of the use of tobacco products, they’re still high in demand. The psychology behind advertising is a powerful force & if used in the precise manner, a product that causes death can very well be successful at gaining a mass population of consumers. “She likes the ancient philosophers.”… She can’t have them “It’s all Greek to him.”…. So she’ll have him. He’s here in this setting where scholars MUST dwell, because she’s there. Of course she must be brilliant, besides she wears reading glasses, but she’s no prude because she takes them off when she looks at him. He sees her so he’s no dummy, and he smokes so he’s cool. Low key sex appeal at its finest.

Week 2 EOC: Questionable Ethics in Advertising

The posts here all clearly represents sexuality rather it be sexual preference or pure sex. We as beings have definitely uncovered that rock through advertisements over the years. Ad agencies almost send a message to not be so sensitive to the matter, as European cultures embrace sexuality in ads, and think nothing of it.

The first ad is one of a Turkish denim brand. Is this embracing sexuality through just plain nudity? No its not at all. It sends a message to children that if you wear these jeans, you can have sex. Maybe it even eludes that sex is the thing to do. Maybe it is, but open advertisements is not the place to place this message to minors that won't be able to comprehend, and won't have answers readily available on the precautions to take before engaging in such behaviors.

The second and third ad shows unethical behavior in a way that many may argue for the sake of homosexuality and its place in society. This way of introducing it to the world and through brand imaging is clearly a marketing scheme to attract new consumers of these brands' products. Nudity again is depicted as a form of beauty indeed. The remainder of the picture speaks 1,000 words. The man in the second ad is getting ready to be devoured and is being looked at as a piece of meat, diminishing human decency and respect for one another and ones self.

The third ad shows nothing to support the brand's product other than the chips are that good that another man may cross boundaries. I believe the ad has crossed more than one boundary. Both ads are perfect for openers to a porn movie and not ads for the entire family to see.

EOC Week 1: About Me

I have been designing “for Barbie” since I was a kid. Stereo typical I guess of many that are chasing their dreams to have been intuitive since childhood. I like to think to each his own to a degree, therefore I am who I am and no one else is that in any way- in my own right of course. With 11 years in customer service, 7 years in retail management & specialty sales, and 3 years in business marketing I can honestly say I love the journey thus far to my final vision.

My background comes from home improvement, and fashion retail. I first studied in psychology then quickly decided to take up business and fell in love with the functionality of both. The pen has always been a friend of mine to constantly create, and my mind a reconstruction zone of how businesses operate. Why be a bother to another. Why not begin to build a supply chain to the city and its guests, with exclusively selected garments, and custom service so as to suffice the indulging needs of apparel that are not attainable in most fashion apparel retail stores of America. The experience one has when shopping should be magical, filled with a moment of eureka.

You're going to the moon! What did you forget to pack?....
I am going to the moon; I forgot to pack a few of my new favorite articles of clothing. I will make do with what I have and make alterations however I can. Based on the vibes the newly discovered environment gives me when I get there, surely I'll be inspired and my old things will be made new again.

EOC Week 1: VW Lemon Ad

“The ad featured a black and white photo of the Volkswagen Beetle with the word “Lemon” in bold san serif font… that proclaims that this particular car was rejected … because of a blemish on the chrome piece of the glove box. The ad goes on to describe the rigorous inspection process…” Out of the box is what I describe as off the mannequin. The Volkswagen ad is just that. Simplicity was the cure to the hidden message.


“Every shock absorber is tested (spot checking won't do), every windshield is scanned. VWs have been rejected for surface scratches barely visible to the eye.” Every producer of great products are aware that their consumer is more concerned with the quality of their product than the look at the end of the day. Although the opposite of this automobile may very well be the Cadillac, many of the Cadillac’s consumers also know that this car may be as difficult to maintain as a foreign car. However fashionably over the years, the VW has come to the forefront of many automobiles. To show through an ad that the producers of the VW pay close attention to such minor detail gives great emphasis of the quality of work that must be put into the build of the car mechanically.

“Final inspection is really something! “We pluck the lemons; you get the plums.” This sums up their entire delivery of this advertisement. How many ads have we seen since the VW Lemon ad with very few words and in simple black and white lettering? My all time favorite beverage and ad, “got milk” is just one to mention… pure genius. The phrases dumb it down, and the late Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, also known as Coco Chanel comes to mind. Ms. Chanel said that before leaving home she would take off one accessory. What an excellent thought to keep in mind before delivery.



http://www.writingfordesigners.com/?p=1731; http://www.powerwriting.com/vw-lemon-ad.html; http://www.powerwriting.com/vw-lemon-ad.html