The Consumer is in Charge

Your Topic HereHow do you see yourself?The images you see in advertisements reflect two different visions of yourself…as you really are and as you wish you were.How Do You Look?Although ads show the consumer , hoping you can see yourself using the product, the people are usually portrayed more as how you wished you looked.• Women are tall and slim• Men are even taller with strong athletic builds

Where Do You Live?Most houses in ads are large, sunny, and spotless, neighborhoods have large lawns, shady trees, etc.

What Do You Think?Stereotypes are common in advertising.• Women are often portrayed as

homemakers• Minorities are portrayed as athletes rather than successful business people.

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Why aren’t the images realistic?

Advertisers try to show their products in a positive way. Remember that it is not usually the “average” person shown in an ad.

Advertising Provides Information

Advantage DisadvantageAdvertising Educates Consumers•They buy better products•They pay lower prices•They spend less time shopping

Advertising is Biased•In favor of the product•Little “pure” information is given.•Won’t tell you the stuff you don’t want to hear (bad stuff :o)

• Your Description Goes HereYour Topic HereAdvertising Raises the Standard of LivingMinimum level of necessities and luxuries required to maintain an individual or group at a common level of comfort.

Advantages DisadvantagesAdvertising Makes Products Cheaper•Helps a company sell more items•More profits = better products•Improved products increases standard of living

Advertising Only Raises the Standard of Living for Some•Advertising does not raise your income.•If you can’t afford the product, advertising does nothing for your standard of living

Advertising Affects Your Happiness

Disadvantages•Advertisements promote products as symbols of status and success (aka materialism)•Individuals pursue satisfaction by purchasing material goods. •High income vs meaning•Lose sight of want is really important

Advantages•Reflects Society’s Priorities – promotes the good life (glamour, romance ,etc.)

Advertising Affects Mass Media

Mass Media – form of communication designed to reach a large number of people. (Magazines, newspapers, television, radio, etc.)

Advantages DisadvantagesAdvertising supports a variety of mass media•Money spent on advertising gives you low cost access to information & entertainment

Advertising affects the information available•Advertisers can shape the content of the media they support

Moral of the Story…Advertising is Powerful!!!