Adult Advertising Techniques

Advertisers have many methods that they use to “hook” their target demographic

For the most part, these ads are not selling a product, but a whole lifestyle to go with it.

BANDWAGON

“Join the crowd!” The idea that everyone is doing/ buying something and that YOU will be left out if you don’t.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBsCMiLBqrQ&list=PL4816FEFC2445B66A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPBs5_ZYTrg

TESTIMONIAL

A famous person (sports/ entertainment) claims the product is good and fully supports it. Often– for adults to buy into this, the celebrity has to be in their age/ gender demographic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dgQ6AUYWCU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_ofl5OivI0

IMAGE ADVERTISING

Here a product is associated with certain people, places, activities. The implied message here is that with this product comes wealth, attractiveness and happiness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANhmS6QLd5Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJWSx1MqT1M

WEASEL WORDS

By law, advertisers have to tell the truth, but sometimes they can use words to mislead viewers. Often in commercials or ads, they use words like “part of…the taste of real…usually helps…natural…new…because we care”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThIrw_LpuRAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GVs00xkoiE

OMISSION

When advertisers do not give you the full story about their product. Some facts are omitted to sell the product. For example, “part of a well-balanced diet…” is not always the truth for a product like Pop tarts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__ODw94ZeuU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92S-S9vJ0PA

REPETITION

Advertisers hope that if you see a product, or hear its name over again, you will be more likely to buy it. They sometimes will repeat the same commercial over again to get the message across.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_SwD7RveNE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnX6M2AJUEY

FAMILY FUN

A family brings a family together or helps them bond as a family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSsNOr8DPXI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1OmpTPffQc

SCALE

When advertisers make the product look bigger or smaller than it actually is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=lJyEa5cxMpY&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MEPtijJ5Ow

FACTS AND FIGURES

When advertisers use facts and stats to help sell a product. This is supposed to increase product credibility.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEJP5jaEXu4&list=PLE8529C5FE59548D0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ULR68LTmbw

NAME CALLING

Making a product seem better by using unflattering words to describe the competition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utjq8JROLyY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpOvzGiheOM