Advertisement Assignment

http://blog.peta.org/archives/controversial_ads/

(click above link for ad)

I chose this PETA advertisement because it shows a controversial picture of why people should go vegetarian. Let’s start with the fact they used a larger size kid for the face of the advertisement, tying in connection of meat = fat. The words along the bottom state, “Feeding kids meat is child abuse.” They put “meat” in a different, more standout color than the rest, giving the picture again as a feel that eating meat will make you fat and that’s that. It also states below, “Fight the fat, go veg.” These are very bias words to be said solely about the nutritional facts behind meat, we all know meat is good for you; full of protein, etc, but for PETA to try and control social behavior to make people believe that meat is the root of all evil is inaccurate. Using this strategy of saying eating meat is killing your child and using an overweight kid eating a burger in the photo is highly problematic. It’s giving the depiction of a very bias visual that every kid that is fed meat becomes overweight. This is a very interesting strategy for PETA on trying to make the public convert to vegetarians. As I was conducting research and analyzing advertisements on the internet, I concluded that companies like to use the “shock and awe” factor in their visuals and billboards to scare people in believing what they’re seeing. Companies also like to create controversial advertisements for a way of getting their name out there. For example if a company came up with an ad that went beyond social agreement, it then creates a stir of arguments for and against it, forming a more massive advertisement scheme. In conclusion, I find these contentious advertisements for interesting on how various perspectives of people interpret and analyze them.

Three Pictures Assignment:

Symbol

Symbol/Index

#1) The picture of Syracuse University’s old mascot, the Saltine Warrior. This is a symbol because it is simply a statue visually referring to our once mascot. This is located right in front of Carnegie Hall, near the Quad. This location is significant because it is in the center of the campus and near the walk to the Carrier Dome where our athletic teams play. This means that as the traffic of people goes by it, it is a symbol of our school spirit we have for our old mascot and a historical visual to remember the Saltine Warrior. It is trying to control that we never forget our old mascot, among current students, alumni and the community.

#2) The picture of the no smoking sign is an icon that directly represents “Smoking? Don’t do it,” (with appropriate cultural experience). This same sign is located outside the computer lab door in Link Hall. This location depicts the fact that even though the mass public knows of the smoke free New York laws, administration at SU is strictly enforcing the fact that they don’t want people smoking in the computer labs because of the damage it could cause. This is trying to control no smoking but even though the majority of people already know not to smoke in public buildings, the excess signs saying this tells you how strictly enforced no smoking has become in these types of locations.

#3) The road sign of the biker falling off his bike is a mix between a symbol and an index. It’s a symbol because it is a visual representation of danger ahead for bikers and it is an index because it is telling that biker of the potential danger they might encounter and to be cautious of the situation. The location of this sign is in Portland, Oregon before upcoming train tracks. This means that the sign is a common sense thing to be aware of going over train tracks so you don’t fall off. It is trying to control the dangers that someone might have if they trip their bike tires and get knocked out on the tracks when a train is coming. It is trying to control and minimize injuries one might encounter.