Style and Taste, for Starters

Because I think this is an amazing photo, and because it ties into the article's discussion of style and taste (and maybe we'll get to that in class!).

Story of Superbowl Ads

Here's a good story from The New Yorker about the currently popular strategy of debuting Superbowl ads before the Superbowl--why it's done, and why it might or might not be a good idea.

"Yet no one has found a way to release the Super Bowl itself ahead of time. It remains one of American culture’s great live events, and there is something cheering in the idea of being confined in a moment with millions of other viewers. As more companies circumvent the constraints of time with built-up preview campaigns and the early release of full ads, there is something to be said, from a viewing perspective, and, perhaps, even from a business one, for those that continue to value the dramatic possibilities of surprise."

I found this story because it was featured in the "Ad News" banner on the left side of this blog. Keep an eye out!

Rio

2014 superbowl commercial volkswagen

2014 Superbowl Doritos Commercial

This commercial focuses on using humor to attract this product to its viewers. In this case, the product is Nacho Cheese Doritos. I think after this ad people will either immediately run out to try these Doritos, or may shy away from it due to the old man licking the cheese of his finger!

Awesome Superbowl Commercial

I think this Super Bowl commercial hits spot-on with the nostalgia effect of a great movie such as The Matrix. The score, visual effects, costume design and dialogue are all well done. The Matrix movie was well known to have futuristic and must have technology, and this commercial connects that with a vehicle. Take the Red pill or the Blue pill. Which one will you choose?

Budweiser Super Bowl XLVIII Commercial -- "Puppy Love"

ADS FOR DISCUSSION: THE HIGH LIFE, SORT OF

Hayley

JC

Trey

Jordon

Victoria and Erick

Brandon and Kristian

Sammy and Natassia

Ashley and Frank

Chris, Josef, Michael

Demond

Maricruz & Allegra

Gina

Sam

Candus and Maya

Jordan Olivo and Tania Monroy

Wings (Volkswagen Super Bowl Commercial)

Probably not the best one we'll see on Sunday but it was pretty funny.

QUESTIONS FOR WEEK 2 READINGS

DAY ONE:

John Kenneth Galbraith: Galbraith argues that seeking a higher standard of living is a fundamental component of American ideology.

Why is such an ideology necessary for advertising to “work”?

What kinds of possessions do you think currently symbolize achieving a high standard of living or “the good life”?

Can you think of ads that embody these ideas or model examples of “the good life” in order to sell expensive goods? To sell inexpensive goods?

DAY TWO:

Read the Fiske article, and take a trip to La Palmera. Answer one of the following on your notecard.

Do you think that there is a hierarchy to the types of stores along the class lines of products and customers as discussed by Fiske on pages 324-326? Give examples.

Fiske says that style works to identify group membership (to relate to the social order) and tastes works within style to differentiate and construct the individual. Look around at your fellow shoppers at the mall. Can you identify different styles of clothing that identify group membership? What types of clothing make up the styles? In what ways are individuality expressed within these styles?

NEW SEMESTER, NEW BLOG CONTENT

Welcome to the blog for Advertising Criticism, COMM 4340. Right now what you see here is from a previous semester. Once you sign up as an author (check your email) you can post ads to discuss in class.