Im Sold Pleasure, Not a Product

Advertisers and ads themselves have changed over the years. Today it seems as though instead of selling a product they are selling a lifestyle that is associated with the product. An important factor in this way of advertising is the audience that the ad is being targeted to. In the advertising world the audience can be anyone from the stay at home wife to the up-and-at-em husband (and vise-verse). The emotion most associated with the products being sold by companies is Happiness or pleasure, and lets face it, what is considered happiness for a man is completely different from what is considered happiness for a man or a child. However, is the way that these ads play on the emotions of the audience harmful or beneficial to both the consumer and the seller? Well, the truth of the matter is: it depends. As a guy I notice many commercials that are directed toward me (or the certain audience i happen to be in). One of my favorite commercials are the Men's Wearhouse commercials, most notably the "Walk of Fame" commercial. Now think about what the Men's Wearhouse sells, and examine the commercial. they aren't just selling a suit. They are selling you idea of pleasure and confidence. Pleasure in the form of a beautiful woman passing you buy and shooting you a glance of "damn you're sexy" and confidence in the way you look which caused that woman to shoot you the aforementioned a glance. However, are these two things a cultural myth that is associated with the items Men's Wearhouse sells? well, one is and the other is not. Confidence can be found in anything that yo find represents you, whether it be the way you look or what you do for a living. but confidence alone wont get a woman to find you attractive, especially if you are a complete ass. That is the thing about companies and the advertisements that they put out there on television land. They aim to sell you a lifestyle and an idea of what that product might make you feel about yourself. In some cases this approach can be good or bad. It just depends on the product being sold and how it is being sold to you.