Thanks Orajel

Nobody likes cold sores; in fact we all hate them. This printed ad, published in Seventeen Magazine, targets teenage girls who probably obsess over small imperfections. Any chance to get rid of these imperfections is golden to us; if a small product can save our day, presentation, date, or whatever it is, it practically saves our lives. In this ad, the background is grey and the product name and packaging is a blue that stands out. The marketing company for Orajel used simple solutions and transfer/association. The audience is expected to make the assumption that by using Orajel, and no other product, for their cold sore, their lives can be changed drastically. If a cold sore is the only obstacle they must overcome, then Orajel would be the product to thank because they claim to be able to fix it. Cold sore medication is never anything "hip", new or memorable, but perhaps the next time we get a cold sore, we'll choose Orajel because it could potentially save our presentation.

Outsmarting Mother Nature

Tampons. Taboo. Everyone seems uncomfortable when it comes to this topic. Come on people, it's just human nature. After years of going for the discrete and silent approach when it came to sanitary products, companies have recently changed their methods. Companies are more straight-forward about their product, and they're even adding witty catchphrases and creative product packaging. One of the most eye catching tampon/pad product has been the U by Kotex line. In this advertising, one of the bigger companies, Tampax, not only makes a statement, but also to take a jab at the Kotex brand by including the line about "98 Rainbow colors". This ad is very eye-catching because it has a model doing some sort of roller skating stunt and people who stop and look at her. The girl is completely happy in this ad, that it is almost overwhelming; she somehow conveys confidence and bliss despite the fact that she is obviously on her period. Tampax wants to regain their young audience who was probably lost to the trendy U by Kotex line by showing a youthful and fun girl who claims to rely on Tampax Pearl on moments like "this". The ad uses facts and figures but it does so vaguely. "30% Better" doesn't really mean anything substantial, but it grabs the audience's attention. It uses simple solutions because it simplifies any issue that women may have with their period; the audience can also make the assumption that if a girl can do stunts with Tampax Pearl, then they can go on with their normal days just as easily, or easier. This ad is effective because it grabs readers' attention and the product is unmistakable.

Simplicity

How ironic that a makeup company that prides itself on dramatic and over-the-top makeup looks decided to make an ad like this. Unlike the ridiculous pink, blue, green, red, and glitter eye-shadow looks with pounds of foundation and blush that consumers tend to associate with MAC, this ad depicts a woman with no makeup-on, and it seems like there is no photoshop used on her face either. Yes the product they're selling is makeup cleanser, but knowing MAC, they could have photoshopped the model's face to look flawless like they do with their other makeup looks. When i first saw this ad I was thrown off and surprised. I didn't expect an advertisement that was so "to the point" as this one. The background black/brown color doesn't distract the audience from the product, the woman's tan skin coordinates with the color scheme, her lack of hair doesn't add diversion from the product, and the actual bottles are what stand out. The blue and bright white colors pop out of the background so that there is no questioning what brand this product is from. This ad uses the technique of plain folk and weasel words. The woman is by no means glamorous or extravagant as we tend to imagine MAC models to be. This opens up the product to many women; the target audience are busy moms who don't have necessarily youthful skin and need a reliable cleansing product. The weasel word in this ad is 'simplicity'. What is simplicity and how does that apply to this product? It's hard to know what the marketing team's real point is when it comes to addressing simplicity. It also seems that the company is relying on their prestigious name. I mean, what woman doesn't know of MAC and their amazing quality? This ad is sure to attract women looking for simple solutions to their face-wash routine, even if it means paying more for the product.

Let's lose weight with Subway!

If your New Year's resolution was to lose weight, then Subway can help you do that. At least that's what the company claims. In this 30 second video, put out at the beginning of the year, we see different takes of people taking a bite of food and their seat breaking because of their weight. The point is obvious and clear, Subway is targeting overweight or weight-conscious people. It offers the technique of simple solutions. If a person switches to eating healthier, specifically Subway, then their body fat will decrease. The ad uses humor and gestalt because it is unlikely that a person will create such havoc by taking one more bite of food. Anyone with weight problems who watches this commercial will most likely relate to the embarrassment of their "fat problems". The product of this ad, the Subway Club, appeals to the needs of people. The need to achieve is used here because this commercial will resonate with people who have set a goal to lose weight and be healthier for the new year. With this solution, people will be influenced to try a Subway diet and be on their way to achieve their weight-loss goal. The music is also successful at progressing the images of people; these clips however are examples of the Post Hoc fallacy. It is not necessarily because of the extra bite of  fast food that these people are taking that their chairs are breaking, but that's what the commercial portrays. This commercial is short and might not be memorable to most people unless they recall "that one video where the fat people fall off their chairs", which is how I remembered the video.

Ladies should be hair-free...

Oh beauty. There are saying such as "the price of beauty" or "beauty hurts", but by the looks of this Sally Hansen product, "kissably smooth skin has never been faster, easier; more convenient." This product advertises hair removal creme in portable, ready-to-use pods. With all of the different ways to remove unwanted hair, companies need to step their game up. It's not easy to convince women that cremes are superior to waxing, yet companies are still trying to develop more hair removal lotions. This ad displays the lip area of a woman reflected in the mirror, next to that we can see the new revolutionary pods.
The idea is simple: work with society's search for beauty and perfection to be able to sell this product. What woman wants to be hairy and stand out from the rest of the well-groomed ladies? No woman wants to go through the embarrassment of being "less attractive" or in any form, masculine. Although this is really a first world problem that few people notice, companies know how to key in on the insecurities and needs of consumers. They have a print ad with seemingly perfect and hairless skin, plump lips, manicured nails, and a calming background. Sure enough, women who find it hard to fit in hair removal on their schedule will be lured in by the "revolutionary delivery system".
This marketing company used the Avante-Garde and Magic Ingredient techniques. By showing the word "New" in deep blue, they make a point at letting the consumers know that this product is nothing like other products in stores. If women want to be ahead of the hair removal curve, they will be tempted to buy this cool new product and tell all their friends about it. They also seem to have a new formula that could practically work like magic. They call it "revolutionary" and use "-er" words such as faster and easier.
From personal experience with hair removal cremes, I know that this product will not be much different; hair cremes are also not the most effective if a woman is looking for good and lasting hair removal. However, that does not mean that this product is not worth a shot. The advertising techniques don't distract the reader from what is actually being sold, and the message is straightforward. Yes the ad plays in on the yearn for women to be picture-perfect and hairless, but it is a valid position since women of today's world are always on the move and need more options to obtain their desired look.
The ad is by no means fun, in fact it is bland and somewhat boring, but the name Sally Hansen does most of the work. If women like Sally Hansen products, they will like the new insta-smooth pod creme hair remover for face.

We can all find love too!

If they can find love, then I can find love. Right? That's what we're expected to believe at least. Remember back when romance consisted of two people who met by total work of faith and fortune and over time fell in love on their own terms? Well, I kind of don't. Yes we have all heard the love stories that make us tear up and want to cuddle on a rainy afternoon. The thing is, however, that it's rare to witness love like this in person. After generations of heartbreak, disappointment, and changes in society, love has been reduced to cheap emotions. When before people had a hard time defining 'love', they now have resources to define and find it. How amazing that a simple computer screen could unlock a life-long romantic connection, right? This Match.com commercial plays with the emotions and insecurities of the audience.
The target audience for this commercial are women; in specific, lonely and loveless women who dream of a sweet and romantic guy .This ad in particular uses transfer/association, and plain folks. They make the association that by giving Match.com a try, they will find a sensitive man who likes to play the ukulele and sing his girl some songs. The marketing company did a good job of basing the commercial in a train station, with normal-looking people: plain folk. This woman can be anybody and this dream man could be any simple guy on the street. Single women in their late twenties, like the girl in the commercial, can relate to her situation and will feel understood and not as scared to give this dating site a try. Also, the whole idea of the ad is "cute". Who wouldn't want to be serenaded? I would. Everyone knows that the age-old way of winning the girl is by singing a sweet song to her.
Overall, the commercial would be classified as "adorable". The Match.com company put together a minute long clip of a guy singing a song to a lady of interest, and at the end added the company logo. However, it is pretty unrealistic. They advertise an online-dating/match finding program, yet show a sporadic occurrence in a train station. The clip states "We make these moments happen every day", so they might want to convey they idea that moments like this can be bottled up and deposited as easily as signing up for Match.com. Pop culture oftentimes ridicules the whole online-dating lifestyle, but whether we're aware or not, we remember sites like this. We might or might not remember this specific clip, but we won't forget the company.

POWER

This compilation of different Old Spice commercials featuring Terry Crews have been seen by many; Old Spice has always been a preference amongst men. The whole point of this ad is to make the American audience go out and buy Old Spice because of its Power. The word 'power' was beyond over-used in these ads. By using a toned and shirtless renowned character, the Old Spice products gain more credibility. Any scrawny boy or man who doesn't feel like he's attractive, appealing, or even powerful, can soon find empowerment in the little cylinder containers of Old Spice. The marketing team played in on people's insecurities, attention grabbing tactics, and the power of redundancy and repetition. The company uses a common man who claims to "actually feel more powerful" after being sprayed. There is no denying these commercials are humorous, but they can reach the point of being obnoxious. There's only so many times a person can listen to Terry Crews yell about strength, masculinity, and power.Aside from that, most people would recognized that a spray cannot instantly make a man feel powerful and like a god, but it does leave a mark. The ridiculousness of the entire commercial is the success of it; We don't believe me will all of a sudden become buff and powerful, but we are intrigued by this product.