Answers To: "Advertisements R Us."

1.       Melissa Rubin states in her analysis that the 1950 Coca Cola ad is a window to the mind-set of the past. She convinced me of her statement by using details from the ad itself and explains social outlook that people had in the 1950’s. For example: the smokestacks in the background are drawn in a positive way because it was a sign of advancement in the country.  In the 21^st century, we are now aware of the hazards that the smokestacks can cause if unregulated.

2.       Rubin incorporates historical content by including major events that many people can relate to. Example:  Melissa Ruben pointed out that men in military uniforms are at the center of the crowd.  She then goes on to explain that this ad came out a few years after World War Two and near the beginning of the Korean War. This ad reflected that patriotism was at a peak due to the wars and represented the importance and value society had put on veterans.

3.       Other questions I may ask when analyzing an ad are: What was tailored specifically to the target audience? Or: In what ways did the ad boost the importance of their product?

4.       Below is an ad for a Honda Odyssey.  Minivans are associated with being pain, boring, family and being a practical choice.  This ad represents society’s desire to be part of a higher class. The golden chandeliers and rose petals generate a sense of sophistication.  The rose petals along with the glow of the moon and the dazzling sparkles add an air of romance between the couple. The romance, in today’s society, is what keeps a relationship interesting. The words “that special van has come along” also emphasize that buying the practical car can become luxurious.  This is different than the 1950’s Coca Cola ad because it is geared towards society as a whole while the Honda ad is centered on the average citizen’s personal life. The ads also differ on the type of emotion it wants to stir into its audience. The 1950’s ad is centralized on the increase of patriotism while the 2010 ad is focused on romance.

                                     (September 2010 Honda Odyssey ad)