Advertisments

March 11, 2008, 9:16 pm
Filed under: Uncategorized

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRICBWsDTUA

The link goes to youtube where the video shows some of the funniest advertisements i’ve ever seen. One even shows a baby crying only to be pacified no less by a fat man’s, well, nipples. Ironic enough, each of this commercials convey their message well enough through the verbal and non-verbal visuals that play on humour, sacarsm and even sexual innuendos.

So much of communication is about how the message is conveyed, as Macluhan suggests in his theory of media determinism that ‘it is not what the message is but how it is conveyed’. As such, these commercials i feel, have done it well as humour, being one of my most favourite mediums second only to music, is well used and captivates the audiences. The first commercial alone touches on sexual references men are probably most familiar to. Be it just visiting the washroom or in this case the sauna, curiousity sometimes occurs resulting in such a reaction. Of course the end message goes that the newspaper is so interesting to the point that the guy on the left constantly stares at the other’s crotch. However, where this commercial has failed is by failing to explain why if the newspaper is so engaging, why has the guy on the right fallen asleep? Communication in this is totally non-verbal and the facial expressions of suspicion, curiousity and surprise are priceless. Needless to say, it is effective, but with that minor glitch as everything counts in communication.

The second and third are probably more effective especially the third where a whole lot of physical movement can be seen. Cheering along with the venting of frustration on the vending machine to get the goods, all this play a part. The message of cheering and how it leads to producing results as shown through how the lady got her product, has been effectively portrayed in the verbal shoutings and kinetics in which the possible manager and another lady are jumping up and down cheering her on.

Lastly, the final ad on picture blowing up. With the sexual innuendo itself in ‘blowing up’, the ad conveys many messages though it may have unintentionally sparked off some outrage. Still, the good-natured humour in mindless pranks such as that prevails and the communication is successful as though no words were spoken, the visual non-verbal shows how pictures going through them become a whole lot ‘livelier and interesting.’

In conclusion, ads, which are a major source of communication, serve to promote and convey messages about products, services and even issues. As such, they must be properly supported with verbal and non-verbal back-ups that amplify their message. Though this may be true, they still however must avoid inflammatory and unethical ads that may prove to backfire and are too provocative. Good-natured humour, though not for serious topics, i find, are the best in conveying simple messages.