Advertisement plays a crucial role in persuading potential customers to buy a product [1]. An example of this is the Vaseline advertisement, which is frequently broadcast on television during primetime hours when families are usually gathered together, perhaps during a meal. These commercials depict a woman and a man using Vaseline jelly and highlight their healthy skin as a result of its use.
The effects of Vaseline advertisements can be positive or negative and can impact both the public's social life and the country's economy (Cloninger, 2004).
The impact of advertising on society is not necessarily negative; in fact, it often has a positive influence. Advertising serves as a way for us to become aware of new products in the market and educates us about how to use these products through demonstrations. The Vaseline ad is an example of an advertisement that positively impacts our
...social life by promoting freedom of choice and convincing the audience that Vaseline is the best brand to choose. Moreover, advertisements can be entertaining by utilizing graphic images that highlight how Vaseline helps maintain healthy skin, preventing it from becoming dry like the leaves shown in the ad.
2: Leibenstein explores the economic impact of advertising in his article "Bandwagon, Snob, and Veblen effects in the theory of consumers' demand." He states that when Vaseline enhances the quality of its jelly products, it compels competitors to enhance their brands as well to retain customers (Leibenstein, 3). Consequently, more customers choose to purchase these brands since they fulfill their expectations. This leads to revenue generation through taxes paid by business entities when consumers buy Vaseline, thus contributing to economic growth.
By advertising Vaseline, not only
are job opportunities promoted due to the increasing demand for the product, but it also positively impacts the economy by contributing to a rise in the gross domestic product. The creation of jobs plays a crucial role in reducing the crime rate that can arise from unemployment (Kaldor, 1950, p. 3). Through advertising Vaseline, consumers are given the power of choice and the ability to compare it with other brands.
Advertising enables consumers to make informed choices that align with their personal preferences and become aware of certain products. For instance, the television advertisement for Vaseline has significantly increased the brand's recognition nationwide.
According to Dan K (2010), advertisement serves as a means of generating return on investment by aiding in the development and placement of money. The author argues that consumer awareness, facilitated by advertising, drives product purchases and subsequently boosts demand. Hence, companies are advised to prioritize return on investment when determining resource allocation. This principle is also evident in the Vaseline advertisement.
Advertisement plays a crucial role in boosting business. When it comes to Vaseline, its advertising efforts aim to quickly drive sales by presenting promotional offers that make the product seem affordable and rewarding. Furthermore, advertisements serve as an educational and informational tool, enlightening consumers about the positive effects of oiling the skin. By gaining this knowledge, consumers are empowered to make more informed decisions. However, advertising Vaseline may also have unintended consequences. Since some ads are targeted at adults, children may not comprehend the intended message. For instance, in Vaseline ads, a lady applying the jelly while not properly dressed could be misunderstood by children. Therefore, certain messages in advertisements can impact children.[5]
Children
have a strong memory and can store information for a long time. However, they may become victims of circumstances due to misinterpretation. Children under 6 years old are vulnerable to the influence of advertisements, as they cannot distinguish them from other programming. Sometimes, advertisements can lead children to pressure their parents into buying certain products for them. For example, children may want to have smooth and beautiful skin like the actors in commercials for Vaseline. (Moore, Elizabeth S., and Richard J. Lutz, "Children, advertising, and product experiences: A multimethod inquiry." Journal of Consumer Research 27, no.)
In the article "Advertising and Insecurity", it is argued that advertising can make individuals feel like they are not good enough without certain products. Specifically, Vaseline advertisements manipulate people into believing that they are not beautiful enough without using Vaseline. This manipulative tactic can lead to feelings of insecurity in individuals. When individuals see images of models in the advertisements, they may become obsessed with looking like these models. This obsession with achieving a false image can have serious consequences, as individuals may seek out extreme measures like bleaching their skin in order to feel satisfied.
6: Cloninger, C. Robert. Feeling good: the science of well-being. Oxford University Press, 2004.
Advertising is a strategy employed by the advertising industry to manipulate individuals into thinking that their happiness hinges on purchasing certain products. It convinces people that buying items such as Vaseline is essential for happiness; however, this notion is false since happiness depends on multiple factors in life. Moreover, advertisements reinforce the idea that only specific products are suitable for individuals, thereby driving them to strive relentlessly to acquire them. Nevertheless, this
pursuit often leads to feelings of emptiness and discontent [7].
According to Steven Leacock in the article "Advertising Vaseline: Twist Reality to Impress Customers," advertising is a scientific approach to captivate human intelligence with the aim of generating income. Moore and Lutz's study, "Children, advertising, and product experiences: A multimethod inquiry," echoes this sentiment. The article suggests that advertising Vaseline may be aimed at distorting reality in order to make a strong impression on consumers (Moore & Lutz, 2000). Another related study by 7 highlights the same idea (7, 1993).
The advertisement for Vaseline often includes exaggerated claims, such as immediate and effective results. However, the reality is that it takes time for the product to show results and it may not work well with all types of skin. Over-advertising Vaseline can eventually become unappealing to viewers, causing them to change their opinion and preference for other market offerings [8]. Additionally, some companies may choose to advertise false information to consumers, but this deceit is usually short-lived as consumers eventually uncover the truth and stop using the product.
Strasburger, Victor C., Amy B. Jordan, and Ed Donnerstein conducted a study on the health effects of media on children and adolescents. The study was published in Pediatrics journal in 2010 and the results were documented in an article titled "Health effects of media on children and adolescents" (pp. 756-767).
False advertising in the market place has earned a bad reputation due to its deceptive naturefootnoteRef:9. Companies that engage in misleading advertisements often face significant fines. Additionally, if consumers take legal action against these companies, they may be responsible for covering the associated legal costs. Consequently, false advertising can result
in companies facing increased financial burdens in the form of fines.
Customers have lost trust in advertised products due to misrepresentations. According to Kaldor (1950), advertising results in significant expenses for the Vaseline Company. This can lead to increased costs and potential discrepancies between the intended message and the actual portrayal of the product. Additionally, advertisements may also target an incorrect audience.
Advertising plays a vital role in promoting products to consumers, but it can be expensive for companies without enough consumer exposure. Take Vaseline as an example: when women witness another woman using a similar product, they are more inclined to buy it. This demonstrates how advertising convinces consumers to switch from their old products to new ones. Despite Vaseline solid jelly being available for a considerable time, the introduction of Vaseline lotion led most consumers to choose the new product.
Advertisement perpetuates gender stereotypes by assigning specific roles to women compared to men (Moore & Richard, 10). This results in the perception of bias against a particular group. To avoid this, businesses should shift their focus towards product quality instead.
The article by Lutz (2000) examines the effects of children's exposure to advertising and product experiences. The conclusion drawn from this study suggests that Vaseline advertisements have both positive and negative implications for society. Despite potential drawbacks, advertising provides additional education outside of classrooms for young people.
Advertisement allows children to envision a future profession and provides them with a sense of purpose. However, for youngsters under six, advertising can hold a different meaning. Their inability to distinguish between reality and fantasy necessitates parental guidance. While the media plays a crucial role in disseminating information, it must also
oversee advertisements containing sexual content, in order to safeguard both teenagers and children under seventeen.
This can be seen through the introduction of technology, where children can access the internet. Companies profit from advertising and benefit from a positive return on investment. However, they must avoid false advertising, as it could negatively impact sales and result in consumer lawsuits for misrepresentation. Advertising informs consumers about products, but companies should be cautious about constantly changing their brand, as this could affect customer loyalty and drive them to switch to other brands 11.
4 (2010): 756-767.
Bibliographies
- Cloninger, C. Robert. Feeling good: the science of well-being. Oxford University Press, 2004.
- Kaldor, Nicholas. "The economic aspects of advertising." The Review of Economic Studies 18, no. 1 (1950): 1-27.
- Leibenstein, H. "Bandwagon, Snob, and Veblen effects in the theory of consumers' demand." Thorstein Veblen: Critical Assessments
- Moore, Elizabeth S., and Richard J. Lutz. "Children, advertising, and product experiences: A multimethod inquiry." Journal of Consumer Research 27, no.
1 (2000): 31-48. 64 (1993): 49.
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