Symposium Presentation Reflection

sarah smith
Nov 5 · 2 min read

One of the biggest takeaways from my peers’ presentations was the presentation on Chapter 10 of the book Popcultured by Turner. Chapter 10 discusses advertising. The fact that we like the creativity of advertising but hate when advertisements interrupt what we are watching is fascinating, even though it is an obvious fact of society. If we like the creativity of advertisements, then why do we hate when they interrupt what we are watching? That idea seems paradoxical. In my opinion, we hate when advertisements interrupt what we are watching, even though we like the creativity of said advertisement, because we are so hyper-focused on what we are watching that any distraction that prevents us from watching what we want is irrelevant or boring. It is phenomenal that an advertisement can appeal to our emotions so well that we feel as though we should buy the product being advertised. Advertisements suggest a mood, forges an association, or implies the possibility of change, which is what ultimately appeals to our emotions causing us to pay attention and throw our money at a product. Manipulation in advertising is prominent, and is used a lot to help appeal to our emotions so that we buy the product. For example, many young kids in high school feel as though it is cool to have a Juul because of how it was advertised. As Juul meant to advertise their product to smokers who are trying to quit, it instead appealed to the younger generation because of the fruity and seemingly desirable flavors, in which regular cigarettes do not provide. This is a prime example of manipulation — having a Juul can suggest that the person with the Juul has a higher standing with their peers as they are seen as “cool.” This type of manipulation that is suggestive of a higher standing with your peers applies to many other products besides the Juul. Advertising everywhere will continue to always appeal to our emotions so that we feel as though we need or want the product. This gives the advertiser what they want — our money.

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