This is an advertisement for Stetson Perfume that I found in a People Magazine. I don't like this ad because I think its very stereotypical, and honestly I don't understand why any guy would be persuaded to by the product based on this advertisement. Just the fact that it says "Made of America" and has a very white couple in field with a farmer's hat really bothers me. Like, to the extreme. First of all, America is not a country of white people who hug in fields while staring at a hat. I think that the image will only appeal a small number of people because there aren't very many people left who strive to look like the image. Even if there are some, an even smaller number lives in California, so the ad company for Stetson may want to reconsider where they advertise.
Despite my previously stated opinion, I do think that this ad does a good job of branding its product. Its clear that the advertisers want Stetson cologne to be associated with traditional values, happiness, country life, and America. Also, the color brown is a reoccurring aspect of the add- everything from the bottle to the tree in the background has undertones of brown. This may be because brown is seen as a manly, and yet classic color, which fits the branding of the product perfectly, and also gives a feeling of warmth.
Because of my study of media, I was able to see how weird this advertisement was in general. If I was just flipping through the pages of the magazine, I probably would have seen this page and either thought "How nice" and then kept flipping or would of thought nothing at all. Because I spent a few minutes examining this and really thinking about it, I noticed that they were both white, I noticed that they we smiling at a hat, and I noticed that the words said "made of America." These are all things that helped me come to my conclusion that this advertisement is too stereotypical, and will not appeal to very many people.
Despite my previously stated opinion, I do think that this ad does a good job of branding its product. Its clear that the advertisers want Stetson cologne to be associated with traditional values, happiness, country life, and America. Also, the color brown is a reoccurring aspect of the add- everything from the bottle to the tree in the background has undertones of brown. This may be because brown is seen as a manly, and yet classic color, which fits the branding of the product perfectly, and also gives a feeling of warmth.
Because of my study of media, I was able to see how weird this advertisement was in general. If I was just flipping through the pages of the magazine, I probably would have seen this page and either thought "How nice" and then kept flipping or would of thought nothing at all. Because I spent a few minutes examining this and really thinking about it, I noticed that they were both white, I noticed that they we smiling at a hat, and I noticed that the words said "made of America." These are all things that helped me come to my conclusion that this advertisement is too stereotypical, and will not appeal to very many people.
I agree that the ad is stereotypical, but the brand chose what consumers they were trying to appeal to and that is reflected really well in the ad. They were able to show some of the American values. Still, what always gets me about ads for cologne or perfume is that most of them don't describe what the product smells like. They usually have a beautiful person or couple on the page. It seems like they are saying that if you wear this product, you will be beautiful and happy like these people, which we all know isn't true. Anyways, Good Job Helen! :)
ReplyDeleteThe advertisement is certainly stereotypical, but interestingly I believe that is intentional. Stetson is a Texas company famous for manly cowboy and rodeo hats. Stetson hats from the 19th century can be worth thousands of dollars. Notice how there is a brown hat next to the woman. The fact that the man is dressed in jeans is consistent with that manly cowboy look. I am sure that the company knew exactly the type of image that it was trying to portray and had no desire whatsoever to feature a minority or interracial couple. The add is also stereotypical in a different manner than the one you discussed. There is a blond probably blue-eyed) girl women featured in the add. She is leaning on the man and looks quite submissive. So the add also reinforces patriarchal views of women that are hopefully outdated. The add probably would appeal to a certain segment of America that is nostalgic for an era that is long gone.
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