blog 7

As an educated student, I often saw through the media messages and advertising techniques that marketing used on TV and in magazines. I used to notice how they would trick consumers and say So What, when thinking about an ad. But after studying the techniques thoroughly, I understand how consumers are tricked.

The weasel word is the most commonly used ad technique and it is the most effective. More often than not, people do not notice the little word that contradicts the idea of the ad itself. I feel that the main way the advertising companies trick consumers is by using the weasel words like helps, virtually, and almost. These words are often glanced over or go unnoticed by the general public because they are in almost every ad. Before studying this I did not understand why people would fall for the ads but after learning about the different strategies and maneuvers that advertisers use, I get why people are tricked.

I also believe the ideal target market is either young kids or teens. It feels weird being apart of the targeted audience because the ads are so varied. Some are just ridiculous. As teens become more skeptical, the advertisers become trickier and use the TV to make the teens feel bad about themselves then offer solutions through their ads. I think the main reason the ads are succeeding is the lack of confidence that teens today have. The ads play on the hidden fears of teens, when they are in their most vulnerable years and have the highest disposable income, to influence their buying behavior for now and they hope the future. I think it is funny that teens are the most targeted but also dislike advertising the most.

In conclusion, I think people need to think about things more in order to see through the ads. I think they need to be educated consumers and question the ads before they believe in the product or company. I believe everyone will give into ads or brands they like because it is our culture but by dissecting the ads it is possible to drive some of the advertisers our of business. I also believe if the TV quality improved and teens felt better about themselves, the advertising would fail. It all starts with parenting and education, we just need to make sure they are provided.

The ads are somewhat of a joke to me now, instead of influential.