Monday, October 5, 2009

Conflicted!

Ok. I really like these two ads and I am not quite sure which one I want to use yet. The first one is for Gossip Girl. I believe it came out last summer? I remember LOVING it when I first saw it on the billboard. The context of the text is completely changed from the original article from Boston Herald (polysemy). It embodies this ideology that because your parents will not like it; therefore you should watch it. So this ad draws on many social myths that I would like to analyze.


This is one of Axe's more recent ads. It is the embossed image of a hand on a woman's butt (with underwear on). I think the idea of black and leather connote many things that guys would consider as "bad ass" (ok, haha, literally). These connotations are perfect fit for this Axe product, its new "Axe Instinct." I think it sort of plays on the idea of "animal" instinct. The whole ad to me has a very primitive feel. There are also ideologies of sexuality and what is considered as masculine included in this ad. There is also definitely a subliminal message embedded. This reminds me of the photo that Glen posted of the dolphins.

4 comments:

  1. ah this is going to be tough to choose since they're both really controversial. But am i missing something with the Axe ad? What does "the power of leather" have to do with it...? Is it just because axe is "badass" and the packaging is sleek like leather? But the man's hand on the woman's butt is totally implying that they just had sex or they're about to, conveying to the male audience that if you wear Axe, you will get laid. My vote goes to the Axe ad-I think you should do that one. However, you can't go wrong with either one you choose. Good luck!

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  2. Ah, that is an ass and a hand -- it looked like a chicken (I need to get some rest.) It's funny that it gives off a bad-ass vibe, I think tight leather in bed and I get a serious S&M vibe, which in the context of an ad like this would come off as more of a sub-cultural or low-brow affiliation than a sexy one...could be me.

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  3. I definitely agree with you on the low-brow bit. I mean, really, do grown men actually use axe? I really do think most of their consumers are still in middle school...

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  4. these are both great ads. i was blown away when i first saw the ads for gossip girl!!!! i wouldnt let my daughter watch that show if i knew nothing about it and saw those advertisements

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