Advertising

[creative_way]

 

Many companies strive to attract consumers by advertising, which involves persuading an audience or a target market by communicating through Billboards, Magazines, Newspapers, and text messages etc. The goal of the company is to motivate consumer behavior, and subsequently sell their product. A vast majority of companies choose to use the technique of branding, one example of branding is a green reptile with an Australian accent, the first thing that should come to mind is Geico car insurance, or when we hear the name Allstate we can associate that with car insurance as well. Companies may also try to increase sales by offering a reward in return for example “buy-one-get-one-free" or a “ points system card” that allows the customer to receive a reward towards their next purchase, these are prime examples of Discriminative Stimuli. While many companies strive to promote their products through advertising, there are some companies that strive to shape attitudes and behaviors through Fear Appeals, for example public service announcements for cigarettes.

Here are some advertisements that focus on Branding and Fear Appeals:

Branding:

www.youtube.com/watch

www.youtube.com/watch

Fear Appeal:

www.youtube.com/watch

Comments

[ledwar19]

I recognize too that advertising companies use specific tools to catch the consumer's eye so that they may stand-out among their competitors and in the market as a whole, for example, the Afflac Duck, the Energizer Bunny for Energizer batteries, etc. I believe that most consumers whether they know it or not can immediately recognize certain brands based on this sort of advertising and that is exactly what the companies are going for in the first place.

[anonymouskid]

this is very true...i think that the fear appeal can really have an effect on how people consume objects...fear is an emotion that can change someones whole lifestyle

advertising

[nlovewithkalani]

I agree with both and actually your first example on You-tube of the insurance company can be used in both forms one in a way of branding by catching the attention of the eyes by making the commercial funny in which it can become a topic over the dinner table,and the way they use it in the fear is for parents that watch that commercial may have daughter or even sons that are first time drivers that may very well end up in that same situation being a first time driver and text messaging a friend while driving.

Advertising

[swpfan]

My question is: Is it ethical to try to control people's behavior through advertising?

Re: Advertising

[cboutin89]

I honestly believe if its for good cause or intention there should not be a problem with it. For instance the commercials or ads that focus on texting or drinking while driving.Obviously its aiming for proactive/preventive measures. The highest death rates is among adolescents. Some teens do not understand the consequences of maladaptive behavior(texting/drinking/and or driving to fast etc)and how it effects others around them. The only way for parents and their children to be informed of this would be by looking or watching advertisement that may not always seem pleasant.

[stronglady47]

Most companies that advertise their products by television they are always attractive woman or men. At times the advertisement has very little to do with the product.

[thetruth]

Most companies use branding to set aside their products from other competitors. This is essential in selling your product as well as making it stand out. For instance cola soda is made by many different soda companies. Coca-Cola has been around for years but how do they distinguish themselves from other cola companies. Its is through branding