Journal 3- Air Pollution in Singapore

These ads come from Singapore, this is a public service announcement on the dangers of air pollution. This series of ads show fictitious character falling from the sky and landing in random areas with a text that reads "Atmospheric Pollution Affects Everyone."

I think this series of ads are very effective at getting the target to be engaged with the message. When I saw this online I stopped and laughed for a moment and then went on to do further research as to what this was regarding. I don't know where or when these ads were placed but if they were placed in public areas they would be appropriate for everyone. Adults and children are able to laugh at the characters as they have fallen from the sky. Children may not understand the ads but they may know the characters and would be able to laugh at them. The ad that is least appropriate for an unintended audience is having what appears to be cupid who has just fallen onto a car. That image to me would appear to be too violent for a young audience. The alien looks like he may have fallen off the chair apposed to falling from the sky which is more appropriate for children.

These ads are not very appropriate for what the message is trying to say. The message is that air pollution affects everyone that people should take it seriously while at the same time the ad shows fictitious characters in a humorous way. The message gets lost in the images. People may take the message into consideration but not actually do anything to change their lifestyle, or for business owners, the way they operate their business because of this ad. I think something a little more shocking would be a more effective way to grab people's attention as well as send the message, like some of the ads we have seen in class.

This ad is also not very affective in selling the brand. The brand may be considered the Environmental Council of Singapore, and if so, this ad makes the company seem immature, as if they aren't taking environmental health as serious as they may want to come across to the public. Most PSA's are shocking, and grab the viewer's attention while at the same time showing how the company is serious about making a change in consumer behavior. These ads however, probably would not change anyone's behavior. 

Richard, Michael. "Atmospheric Pollution Ads from Singapore." TreeHugger. Web. 30 Sept. 2010. <http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/05/atmospheric_pol.php>.

Journal 2- Ford-Banned Commercial

Ford Banned Cat
Ford Banned Commercial Pigeon

History:

The Ford Ka had been released in 1996 as a “humble” car. The Sportka was to be seen as the “evil twin” and be more of a “rebel” car. To market this car Ford hired Ogilvy and Mather creative team to create the TV commercials. Their plan was to infuriate animal rights activists to create a buzz.

The Pigeon ad was shown on TV in the UK for a short time. It was pulled off the air because of the animal rights activists.

The Cat commercial was never shown on TV but hit the internet. Ogilvy and Mather released an apology on the ad and stated they had no idea how it ended up on the internet while Ford made a statement that they had no idea it was created.

I will be analysing the cat commercial because I find this one to be more offensive and both of the ads would have the same review.
 

Through this commercial I find that the target would be rebellious people ages 25-40. This is because the car is a sports car and would be driven by people who are more successful but still young. The commercial itself doesn’t say much about who it is targeting, other than that it is for “evil” people. The commercial is not effective in communicating who the target actually is. There is no voice saying who the car is meant for, nothing to indicate which features would benefit certain kinds of people. The only clue is by looking at the car itself and determining what kind of person could afford it. Also by watching the ad it is clear that Ford is trying to communicate that this car is not for the average person, but for someone who has a rebellious soul and wants to look powerful.

This commercial is effective to the brand. With a slogan like “The Ka’s Evil Twin” it is clear that this car is not for the “good” people which are portrayed as driving a Ka. Even though this is effective, it is not appropriate. It is never appropriate to show animal cruelty when promoting a product. This can really hurt the company’s image. If this was the only commercial I had seen of Ford I would never buy from them again because I would think that they promote animal cruelty. There are other ways that Ford or their creative team could have promoted “The Evil Twin” without cruelty to animals.

Overall the message that is being sent in this commercial is extremely inappropriate. It is telling the consumer that animal cruelty makes you look cooler and it's ok. I think that this ad could have done more to promote the car in promoting the benefits of the car rather than harming animals. The commercial has nothing to do with the car's performance or what extra features it has.

Duncan. "Ford SportKa Deals with Cat and Pigeon." The Inspiration Room. 5 Oct. 2005. Web. 18 Sept. 2010. <http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2005/ford-sportka/>.

"YouTube - Car Commercial - Sun Roof Feature, Cat Gets a Suprise." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. 26 Feb. 2006. Web. 29 Oct. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz-sC-vSIXk>.

Journal 1- Ninja Kitties

Toyota Ninja Cats

This is the extended version of a Toyota Corolla commercial. In the short edition it leaves out the part with the cat lady sitting on the couch.

I had originally found this commercial on a friend's Facebook page. I couldn't find any information about this commercial other than that it was aired in Europe in 2008.

I would say that the target age group is 18-25 year old people because of the humor involved in the ad. The ad itself doesn't make any sense but it is appropriate to the targeted age. This age group likes ads that are funny and action packed, it is more like watching a trailer to a movie than it is watching a car commercial therefore also making it effective.

This commercial however is not very effective in selling the brand. During the commercial there is nothing about what the car does or how well it performs, just a slogan "packed with a lil' action".This makes the consumer believe that this is a car if you want to have an action packed life but the commercial doesn't tell you how the car actually provides the "action". It is appropriate to the brand in setting it apart from other cars by creating a very strange and unique ad. It is a memorable ad however, I have seen this commercial a few times online and every time I forget what company the car belongs to. I am so engaged with what is going on the commercial that I forget that it is actually trying to sell me something.

By looking at the unintended audience I think that this ad might be a bit scary for younger audiences. For very young children the idea of cat people might be a terrifying thought. For ages 10+ I think they would also find it humorous and perhaps consider buying the car when they are older.

 In conclusion, the commercial was effective in being entertaining, effective in engaging the target audience and being memorable. However, it was not effective in selling the product or the brand.

"YouTube- Ninja Kittens (Extended Version)." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. 13 Nov. 2008. Web. 06 Nov. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhMzKGWw2Bk>.

Introduction

Hello everyone!

I am a Sheridan student in the Advertising Management class. For my Law & Ethics class we are required to make journal entries on advertisements and discuss our views using the “matrix” we discussed in class. This matrix consists of very effective, not effective, very appropriate or not appropriate, relating to the brand, message, and target of the company that is advertising.

 I will be posting links, pictures, etc. on various ads throughout the weeks. Some of them may be graphic so I do warn the viewer that adult content may be shown.
If anyone reads these journal posts and wishes to comment, please do. I would love to read the thoughts of others out there on the various ads shown. Feel free to agree, disagree and provide your own thoughts and insights to what I have to offer.

Thank you to anyone who may be reading this. :)