A Coke Ad in Athens
By the time we reach 21, we have been exposed to more than one million advertisements. Although this number may not represent or apply to a large population, it gives us a pretty good idea of how often we are dealing with products / “materialistic stuff”. This surprisingly large statistic illustrates the importance and influence these advertisements are making on the public. How will such constant bombardment of ads impact their lives and ultimately ours? Let’s look at this scenario: a toy industry airs more and more ads on television. Then, a child who watches these ads nags the parents to buy these toys (even though the child already has a lot). If the parents do not agree, the child continues to nag, cry, and whine some more until the parents consent. Now the child is happy and the parents relieved from the fussing and crying. Oh but wait, the child sees another ad on television promoting the newest Playstation. And there it goes again. Even though both the parents and child are satisfied at one point, this habit of “I want” versus “I need” will continue. That said, whether we are watching television, taking the train, or wandering down the streets in Copenhagen, it is impossible to avoid advertisements.
This IKEA ad was found at the tube station in London
Neon signs/ads in Hong Kong
So what is the purpose of ads? Do they sell, inspire or raise awareness? In essense, advertisements persuade us into thinking about a product or a social issue.
Although the media cannot tell the public what to think; the least they can do is influence what people think about.
In our modern society today, advertisers always their ways to target different audiences. Ads are more than just about its products that they are trying to promote and sell, ads represent culture.
