Back in the 1900's, I believe advertising was used to sway the public, tell them what to do, who to vote for, etc. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is how I believe it went. Ads using a lot of words to explain why it s so important that you buy/use the product or supplier - to sex - to all around creativity. But where is the limit? Who decides that ads like this one by PETA is ok?
It doesn't stop here either, countless products, company's and associations advertise this way. What kind of message is this? You or I may find it funny. But others may not, so how is this ok? What are the standards in advertising nowadays? I work for a company that makes ads on a daily basis. My job is to take things delivered from their corporate headquarters and use them on all of their stores through their website. We have dealt with heavy restrictions due to new products being launched. We couldn't alter images, we couldn't write new content (for specific products) and other times we could do all of the above. Restrictions and regulations have to constantly be checked with the advertising agency.
So as much as I enjoy ads like this one: Schick Quatro trim style I can't help but think that these ads are wrong. They aren't cutesy at all, they are disgusting.
What will kids think after viewing these types of ads? And not just the dirty ones. Have you seen some recent car ads, where the kids are labelling their parents as losers and the only way to justify the problem is to make them buy an awesome all-wheel drive, dvd player included w/ attached headphones, heated seats, etc? Now that's sick!
~Jenn
Photo credit http://winterhymnal.wordpress.com/
