What does the future hold?

As for the future of Advertising, we can always make greater leaps. The future comes one second at a time and we are consistently arriving at new destinations. Many years ago, before the age of computers, I couldn't even begin to say how advertising was done. Commercials were still on TV, ads were placed in newspapers, magazines and out in the open world. But once computers were introduced, that changed the game entirely. Ads could now be placed on websites and homepages where millions of viewers would see them. Then cell phone devices changed the game as well. With apps, people can pay to set up advertisements on them. Even handheld devices with access to the internet multiplies the amount of viewers exponentially. This is where we are today. What is the NEXT big step?

If I knew exactly what the next big step in advertising was, I wouldn't be writing it on a blog. I'd take my idea and go make a living for myself. However, there are some ideas and concepts to think about that could be a big step in the next direction.

The monumental sized advertisements which could be displayed on skyscrapers could be a big change in the way our advertisements flow. If advertisers want their ads seen by as many people as possible, this could be an easy way to do so.

An extreme suggestion to the next big step could be something coming out of our devices and physically gift us something, a sample per say. 

The future is extremely hard to determine but the next step is probably only seconds away.

Nostalgia in Advertising

Since the beginning of time, the nostalgic angle of ad campaigns has been used. This angle is utilized by companies who want to pull at the viewers heart strings. The companies assume that if they are able to connect to viewers in their precious childhood memories, consumers are more likely to buy their product. For example, the Clearasil Tough on Pimples Campaign uses characters from  comic books to get their point across.  One more recent angle has been pixelated sports ads. This atari-like depiction brings adult gamers to their roots in a sentimental way. This advertising technique is utilized heavily by fashion companies. Styles like grunge, denim and floral are all trends that are reappearing. Companies aim to get buyers by making them remember how they used to dress when they were children and teenagers. One final sentiment that has been used is the classic arcade game, Pac Man. Chevy used Pac Man to promote the Chevy Cruze, causing adults and children alike to reminisce the classic game. It has been this angle over the generations of advertisement that has caused consumers to buy an item purely for sentimental reasons. Clearly, it works!

FFA, The Future Farmers of America

The National FFA Organization (FFA) was created in 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri. At first, the organization was very small, with membership under 100. As of today, the national membership has increased to north of 579,000. The mission statement of the FFA is to “ makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.” One of the main goals of the FFA is to fight agricultural illiteracy and getting the truth out about farmers and agriculturalists. This is accomplished through a system called the three ring model, including Supervised Agricultural Experience, (SAE) Classroom, and FFA. The first ring, SAE, is any project a student wishes to complete. From raising an animal, to working at an agricultural related  business. Next, the classroom portion  of the model. This ring uses agriculture in each of the lessons taught in the classroom to give students an alternate way of learning, a more practical way for some. Finally, the FFA section  of the model encompasses every other aspect of the FFA. Speaking competitions, officer opportunities and conferences are all included in this circle.  Members compete locally, statewide, and nationally in speaking, livestock and career development events.The FFA program is geared toward high-schoolers with a small part in the collegiate world.  The National FFA Organization is still continuing strong today!

Segway... Making something easy to do easier?

The Segway was designed to be an innovative machine to provide a pleasant ride at slow speeds around semi-urban to urban areas. There is no way the Segway can travel across a mountain. The only thing I could see the Segway being useful for is elders who are able to stand, but have trouble walking. If only the Segway was for sale at a resonable price... It's priced as high as several thousands of dollars... To be able to essentially... Walk. "Hmmm I can pay $5,000 to walk? What a bargain!" The Segway is a wealthy man's choice to rub their wealth in poor people's face basically. It's speeds reach a max of under 13 miles per hour, which isn't slow, but you have to have practice. The speedy 13 miles per hour of the Seway can only be achieved by experts, which is a necessity in some states due to the fact it was classified as a vehicle which required licensing.

Basically the Segway is an overpriced machine which cost WAY too much to develop to do what a strong majority of healthy humans can already do. The Segway is the epitome of luxurious and laziness combined.

Racial Stereotyping in Advertising

The issue of race has been debated since the beginning of our nation. Some companies, however, still use this topic to entice consumers and create hype about their product.

This is seen in Sony’s Playstation ad campaign. Introducing the new white console came at a larger price. This ad campaign featured a white woman with white hair, clothing and  accessories. The controversial aspect of this campaign appeared when the also used and black woman who was portrayed as being beat down by the white woman, creating a superior tone from the ad. Sony recalled the campaign after much controversy.

Also,  another technology company, Intel, used the image of six black men bowing before  a white man, depicted as the superior. Intel  claims it is innocent, however it is astonishing that such a clear allusion to slavery would be used.  It is strange to think that after centuries, the topic of race is still such  a controversial issue. The usage of racist themes in advertising accomplishes the goal of nearly every company tries to accomplish; they are talked about.

The Portrayal of Sex and Dominance in Advertising

"Hey, you need help lifting that?" -Man
"What this 2 pound weight?" -Woman

Despite this being an extreme example, it's generally the credit that men give women nowadays. Women are typically portrayed as weaker than men, especially in advertisements. The weakness in women also goes hand in hand with the portrayal of Dominance in men.

In the following advertisement by Dolce & Gabbana, the woman is pinned beneath the man and appears helpless. There are also several other men watching and they all seem nonchalant to the overpowering taking place. Another interesting thing to recognize is that all of the mens' locations are above her in the picture. These examples all portray the woman has weak, frail and helpless to a man's command.

In the following advertisement by Skyy vodka, once again, it shows similar characteristics to the ad above. The man's location above the woman and the woman lying down, looking up to him both portray the woman's helplessness. Another subtle portrayal of dominance is the man's clinched fists where one could assume he's either angry or has a high level of testosterone in his body where he is about to display his dominance.

Sexual Innuendos in Advertising

The use of concealed messages within advertising has been apparent throughout history as evident in political cartoons and hidden pictures within a company’s logo. Specifically, we will look at sexual innuendos hidden within a sign or logo.

An example of this can be found in the well known Starbucks logo. The logo is meant to depict a Greek mermaid siren. However, unbeknownst to many, the original logo depicts the mermaid who is spreading her fish legs, shown in the picture.

Also, a popular Coca-Cola advertisement in 1995 featured a small image of a girl performing oral sex acts in the bottom corner of the advertisement. Sources say that Coca-Cola resulted in recalling this particular advertisement, a $200,000 campaign, due to the offensive message.

Finally, a more recent campaign was released by Skittles. Their new  Berry-Explosion was written next to the image of a skittle. The famous “S” on the skittle caused the name of the up-and-coming candy to be read as “Berry-Sexplosion.”

These are just three examples of advertisements with an underlying  sexual connotations. Whether intentional or not, these images are a signs that subtly call attention to the product, without the consumer realizing it or not. The consumer is unknowingly drawn to these products due to the usage of concealed messages.