Advertising encourages a desire for products which people do not actually need

They ar everywhere. Banners, billboards, Internet Websites, newspapers, radio spots, television commercials, magazines, logos on clothing, cars and even cutlery. Advertising has so permeated everyday life that at last count, individuals can expect to be bombarded by approximately 1200 messages everyday, telling them what to eat, wear, do and believe in. The ubiquity of publicizing is a phenomenon of our modern world akin to and sometimes elevated to an art form, a consequence of the much touted ethos of free trade and capitalistic consumerism. But non each are lured by the siren song of the commercial jingle.Cynics lambast advertisers for convincing people to spend money they do not have, for something that they do not need. Malcolm Muggeridge, salient(ip) British journalist and thinker direfully prophesied that history will remember publicize as one of the evils of our time, wrongfully stimulating people to incessantly want things, want this, want that. Critics like John Arbut hnot Fischer see the corrupt connection between societys deteriorating values and the hidden agenda that advertising subtly (or not so subtly) champions that youth equals democraticularity, popularity equals success, success equals happiness.How does advertising weave such a hypnotic influence? The ultimate objective of advertising is to dole out products, services and ideas persuasively and creatively. To that end, advertisers and copy writers resort to all manner of strategy to arrest the attention of consumers long enough to create awareness and perhaps, even impulse for the product, service or idea. The variety of methods to entice both existing and potential clientele range from the obvious to the subtle, from the staid to the subliminal (incidentally outlawed in many a(prenominal) countries).Whatever the methods used, professional advertisers all agree that good advertising is not just about circulating information it is about penetrating the public mind with desires and b elief. In fact, advertising guru Leo Burnett once said that the secret of effective and original commercials is not the creation of new and tricky words and pictures, but one of putting familiar words and pictures into new relationships. Such perception altering strategies are what may induce consumers to desire and eventually buy the superfluous and the frivolous.Consider for instance De Beers diamonds. onward its advertisements for diamonds were launched, the gemstone was merely another sparkling jewel, fit for royalty, not so much for the commoners. By equating diamonds with sexual love, De Beers successfully created a hitherto non-existent appetite for the stones (albeit actually lovely ones). If a girl does not get a diamond engagement ring, the husband-to-be had better be prepared for trouble. Take a closer bear also at the latest range of Louis Vuitton advertisements which capitalize on big-name appeal.The very public figures of Mikhail Gorbachev (former premier of the R ussia, no less), Sean Connery (of James Bond 007 fame), even queen of pop and controversy Madonna, who have fronted these advertisements convey more than just a sense of the luxury that the brand is famous for. These iconic figures, exuding power, history and a touch of legend, are whom a successful generation has grown up with and therefore feel a connection. You may not need a Louis Vuitton bag, but being satisfactory to buy one becomes a subtle statement that you have arrived, putting you in the same league as the celebrities who endorse the brand.Yet, while it is true that advertising can generate awareness of peoples desire of things that they now know to exist, it is equally true that advertising cannot create a need that did not previously exist. Jeff I Richards points out that advertising will only die when people everywhere are satisfied with their weight, their hair, their skin, their wardrobes and their aroma. Certainly, advertising brings to the fore feelings of inadeq uacy, wishing and perhaps deep underlying insecurities that may be alleviated to some extent via purchasing a product or service.Scarcity is the fear that you may dangle an opportunity to leveraging a product. Thus one day sales and phrases such as, for a limited time only or limited provide are commonly employed to increase sales and promote the idea that you can supply a lack. Advertisements about health often capitalise on fear to get the audiences attention. Once this is accomplished they hope to scare the audience enough to produce an attitude change, be it buying their product or ever-changing your lifestyle.Alcohol and cigarette advertisements appeal to peoples desires for pleasure Models and actors are portrayed as having a good time, leading to the belief that if you purchase these products you too will have a good time. Of course, many advertisements employ more than one technique in attempting to persuade the audience. Plastic surgery ads, for instance, work well by a ppealing to peoples love of beauty via exposing their fear of aging as well as their vanity and egotism.Fear, love, pleasure, and vanity are thus powerful motivators of behaviour that can supposedly be eradicated or fulfilled through some product, service or perform, at least in the mind of the consumer. Without them, advertising messages are simply messages. Moreover, while it is true that some deep-seated desires rule human nature and behaviour, almost everyone exercises a choice as to when and how such desires are met. To some extent, the consciousness-raising power of advertisements puts the onus of action on the consumer and provides some options for exercising that initiative.Yet, advertisements cannot make one do anything that one is not willing or able to undertake in the first place. Campaigns and posters (a fiber of advertising) warning against the evils of smoking are visibly mounted, but have not really produced a significant reduction in the numbers of smokers in capi tal of Singapore despite the fact that cigarette advertising is banned here Health promotion advisories across the world promote healthy eating plans and options, but that does not stop one from chomping on that artery-clogging hamburger or carcinogenic char kway teow.In fact, not all advertising is focused on inducing consumers to purchase the unnecessary. To believe that would be to limit the many useful functions it fulfils. There are genuine needs that require the consciousness-raising and educational function of advertising to fulfil. Look at the countless advertisements for domestic, office and personal needs. Consider also the innovations that advertising brings to ones awareness. Take into account that advertisements can serve as reminders to consumers, particularly when a consumer has a specific need or desire that can be associated with a product or service.At the end of the day, what must be remembered is that in a free-market society where a plethora of goods and service s is available, consumers ultimately exercise the responsibility that accompanies the freedom of choice. Advertisers will continue to market their wares strategically, but consumers are not confounded victims held enthralled in a life-or-death struggle. If they were, advertisers would not have to wrack their brains to conjure up creative ways to entice customers. To think otherwise is to painfully underestimate the strength of the human mind and spirit.