Blog #9

1.The first advertisement agents served for people selling goods in town since people lived in isolated communities. The U.S. began advertising medicines when railroads were built so newspapers and goods could cross the country. The first ad agent that the U.S. came up with were space brokers. Space brokers were people who would buy a portion of the newspaper so they could sell those spaces to companies who wanted to advertise their businesses.    

2. Packing and trademarks influenced advertising because manufacturers figured out that if their products were unique and of good quality, people would buy their products because they would ask for it by name. This made it easier for companies to make prices for generic and name brand items. It also allowed companies to have their own individual identity compared to their competitors. When customers started asking for certain brands, businesses were allowed to increase the price of their goods.  

3. Advertising had a huge impact on making America into a consumer society. They helped businesses come up with new products and regain product start-up costs. Also, advertising helped build up technology by showing customers how the products can help them with their daily lives like cars and washing machines. Lastly, advertising helped raise the amount of sales due to consumers buying products that they have seen advertised.  

4. Visual culture influenced advertising by making commercials on the radio and TV. Video ads were all over the TV and commercial producers would add popular songs to their commercials because people would listen to the song instead of shutting off the TV. Computers and mobile devices also influenced advertising. Advertisements are now displayed on phones and other devices. Visual design helped bring these advertisements to life by making them in three-dimensional, animated and interactive. Visual design found a way to simplify ads so they can be easier to read on small screens.

5. The advantages that Internet and mobile advertising have over traditional media is that dealer can make profiles for certain customers who go on specific web sites. In order to do this, they send out surveys that customers will take such as telling them they could possibly win free stuff. Advertisers can track how many people look at a specific ad and they will know which ad is popular. Smartphones is another advantage the internet has. Advertisements can pop up on smartphones if the individual is in a specific area for example, going to a store or restaurant.

6. The association principle is a technique advertisers use to convince people to buy a product. What they do is link the product with positive images or cultural values when they have nothing to do with the commercial. It is an effective way to analyze advertising because it lures the customers in by showing them positive and happy scenes.   

7. Product placement is when a company buys a space in a TV show, movie, or music video to have their brand will appear in the scene. Some examples include Coca-Cola in American Idol and Reese’s Pieces in E.T. (p.403).

8. The difference between puffery and deception advertising is that puffery exaggerates their product. The reason you can tell it is a puffery advertisement is when they say it’s “new and improved”. A deception advertisement is when they take out bits of information to make the product sound better for example, a Klondike light ice cream bar is said to be 93 percent fat free. However, the Klondike bar is 93 percent fat-free after the chocolate is taken off the ice cream. The FTC regulates deceptive ads by telling the companies to either change them or take them off TV and they can also fine companies for civil penalties.

  

9.  The major issues that involve political advertising is the fact that some political advertisements are only thirty seconds long. People running for president can’t say much in that time slot, especially not serious political issues. When politicians violate other candidates, that could have an effect on the amount of people who vote.  

10. Advertising plays a huge role in our society because it helped mass media tremendously. If it wasn't for commercials, Even though commercials can be annoying, they have helped build our society and our economy. If it wasn't for advertisements, a lot of mass media would have to find a way to remake itself.