What really lies behind advertising?

1. What really lies behind advertising? By: Britney Leon

2. What kinds of messages are being portrayed in the following advertisements? • From what I gathered from reading everyone’s responses was very similar. Everyone believed in majority of the advertisements was that sex was a major factor. In one way or another the men and women were showing some sort of sexual behavior indicating that they are not only promoting the ad they are modeling for but for sexuality too. The women are very attractive and the men are very handsome; the women have at least one asset showing drawing focus away from the product to the models body.

3. Regarding the following ads, do you find the messages to be clear? Do you understand what they are promoting? • Each person I interviewed agreed that not all the advertisements were very clear. They all mentioned that they felt sex was a main factor. One person even mentioned they felt the models were attempting to seduce you into purchasing their product. I did a mixture of different advertisements that I felt portrayed sex in one way or another with ads that I felt had nothing to do with sex; and of course everyone could tell the difference. Everyone felt they were promoting sex in most of the advertisements and they believe sex sells.

4. Did you notice anything pleasing to the eye in any of the following advertisements? • Kameron, Hailey and Stephanie all agreed that each model male or female were attractive in one way or another; so of course with the eye-candy the models are definitely considered pleasing to the eye. Kameron pointed out something interesting about the models looking appealing and how that really does influence others and makes them want to be desired just as the models are being; making customers purchase their product. For example the GUESS advertisement is featuring a very beautiful model in GUESS clothing, the outfit is very flattering making you want to purchase the clothing hoping you will look just as good.

5. Would you purchase any products in the advertisements shown? • I had a response saying they would sometimes purchase a product to support the celebrity they liked; or they would purchase a product that was appealing to them in a fashion sense. For instance I see a lot of Victoria’s Secret Lingerie modeled a lot such as their bras and they are very flattering and they have a variety, I have purchased a few bras and underwear from there and they are very flattering with the push-up and being comfortable, I’d definitely say their advertising is very sexual but they aren’t falsely advertising; you feel sexy yet achieve the look you desire. Someone mentioned they would not buy the diet pills for they feel they don’t need to take diet pills to get a man to notice them, we actually got into a discussion about how those pills are very bad for your health. Overall I feel a lot of people fall victim to the sexy advertisements longing to look as confident and sexy as the models appear.

6. Does Sex sell? • I received an overwhelming response not only from the people who took my questionnaires but from friends I asked out of curiosity; all answering yes. They all believe to a certain extent sex does sell. Men fall victim to the pretty girls as do the girls who drool over the handsome men vice versa. They believe everyone wants to be desired and feel sexy and confident like the people in the advertisements. Honestly, I feel the ads make people feel they can be sexy too if they purchase their product and if people do find confidence in purchasing the product I find nothing wrong with that, that’s kind of cool that models can do good instead of intimidate and make other people feel self conscious about ourselves. I ask myself, does sex sell? I would have to say yes; I agree with everyone and their responses, they all put their answers into good perspectives.

7. What did I learn doing this project? • I already had an idea of what people would say, however I found it very interesting how people think when looking at an ad, for instance some people noticed the assets before the outfit yet a couple noticed the clothing over the assets. I notice a lot of girls compare themselves to the models in the ads, same with guys; which is very unhealthy, because the models are touched up to perfection appearing as if there are no flaws. The ads portray a lot of sex with some confidence and appealing features, so of course people want what the models have and that is what they are modeling for; so of course they are going to want to purchase what they are promoting. I learned also that not everybody does fall victim to these ads, a few people do catch on and believe they do not need a certain product to feel good about themselves and can find confidence elsewhere. Everyone is different but from what I gathered overall, sex does sell.