The Role of Ads within Any Cultural or Social Fabric - Essay Example

ID Lecturer Ads and Society Introduction Advertisements all over the world signify something that a person can aspire to have or become. It is a positive reinforcement that is being done by a brand or a service that markets the same. I am of the view that ads criticize or make people dissatisfied with their own selves. Therefore, ads play a role that makes people unhappy within any society of the world and hence onus should be on one’s own understanding more than anything else (Danesi 2008). Ads have a major role to play within any cultural or social fabric in this day and age, and their role is pertinent to understand - a notion which is being discussed within the length of this paper. Hence this paper discusses how advertising and society are inter-linked and how this basis has long been discouraged by individuals like me. Then again, there are proponents and supporters all round who have differing but respectable opinions in their own righteous ways. Against the Ads! Whether or not advertisements play a positive or negative role is something that will be understood but what is most pivotal role is to comprehend that ads depict a strong feeling which can evoke action. The behavioral role is quintessential but the manner in which this behavior comes about leaves many questions unanswered. Then what remains to be seen is the fact that underlies the perspective that ads have a strong role to play within the minds of the people, in more ways than one (Klein 2000). Ads do create a feeling that someone aspires to achieve a goal or objective and people may feel naive to have this sentiment within their entirety that they are living in a world full of glamour and unknown dreams. They have to get the insight regarding their entireties and that is what basically pinpoints why ads have to be seen from this very mindset and perspective. Now if there are some individuals who are of the view that ads deceive them, then perhaps they are correct in their demeanor. The argument holds more ground because people cannot be fooled into believing what is not a fraction of reality. The need is to contemplate who does what and how ads have been able to have as much resentment on the part of the people over the years (Wolf 1990). There is enough confidence in this notion and so should be the case if seen from an unbiased perspective. Differing Opinions, Differing Outcomes The manner in which ads have been able to change opinions over the years is also an interesting debate. This is because they have come to know about the different brands, products and services with the advent of advertising within their domains. This is an inherent phenomenon which ads teach us at the end of the day, and so should be the kind of discouragement for the people who are basically producing these ads in effect. The end result matters more than anything else and this is why ads have been able to get criticism from different quarters over the years. This is something that seals the debate as far as ads are concerned not only today but also in the yesteryears which led up to how advertising has shaped up now, both good and bad. The argument whether ads have made people dissatisfied with their own selves is something that raises many eyeballs. This is because no one would like to find a phenomenon which does not suit their own selves as well as the people for whom the ads are being produced in essence (Kadir 2013). This is something that plays a significant role as far as understanding the terrains of advertising are related. What is needed now is an emphasis on the message more than the attached fragments with which ads are being linked. This will do a world of good for not only the field of advertising but also the people for whom ads are being produced. Perspectives need to be changed and this can only happen when ads are realistic and close to one’s own demeanors, which sadly is not the case in this day and age. The Significant Ethical Debate The argument that ethical constraints are being touched upon is also a significant one, and this is discussed by marketers and the brand teams time and again. It is the basis of finding out where the anomalies exist and how best to counter them with the passage of significant time and space as far as production of concepts and execution of ads are concerned. Ethics and morals at times remain distant from the domains of advertising because this is what really constitutes how this field is looked upon at in this day and age. If these matters are adhered to, there would not be many issues that may crop up within the future (Fay 2006). Ethical considerations are always weighed upon with a knowledge of finding out the strengths and weaknesses with regards to advertising and the production of various concepts for ads. Ethics has got a huge role within the societal ranks because it dictates how well advertising has attained its own place and how it wishes to make people believe in the message that comes along with advertising. There is this important understanding that is linked with advertising which brings more wellness than anything else for the sake of the individuals within any society of the world. Therefore ethics has its due place within advertising and the related role that the society finds itself plagued with, both for good and bad reasons (Twitchell 2000). What is most significant is the manner under which people satisfy their whims and find a reason or two to make sure that ads do not interfere within their thinking ideological basis, which then again is something that suggests quite a few pointers about ads and their pertinent role within the society. Realism therefore rules the roost as far as ads are related and it is the sole criterion through which winners and losers are judged. Examples of Some Ads A number of ads that are being developed or the ones which have already been done to date for fashion and women’s clothing have focused on zero size women who look good and appealing to the eye of the intended consumers and customers. What the ads keep forgetting is the fact that 1 out of 100 such women actually get to wear such clothes while the rest 99 of them are normal clumsy, ordinary looking females who do not come anywhere close to what the models look like on television, in the print and on outdoor hoardings and billboards. Other such ads include the choosing of white individuals over Blacks and people from other casts and creeds, which then again is closely linked with racism, segregation on the basis of societal tenets and so on. My Perspective and its Basis My view should be accepted because I am of the belief that ads bring about negative portrayal of the people and hence the society gets affected and infected in a number of different ways and means. This needs to be taken note of because ads leave a lasting impression on the minds of the people and that too for a number of bad reasons. Ads must be criticized because they represent what the people want to see and hence should be loathed for their concepts, their content and their overall message. This is something that brings problems all round within the related ranks. The people who criticize these ads and indeed the phenomenon of advertising are doing the society a huge favor because they are speaking the truth for everyone and are being truthful to their own selves as well. I am of the opinion that ads have a negative association with different societies of the world and hence must be accorded such a perspective without any doubt. This is what is needed if seen within the relevant thick of things and should be given emphasis as advertising as a phenomenon is on the decline and needs to be subjugated under specific laws and regimes in place. My belief is further reinforced by the fact that people seem to have many different perspectives and what is important is how their beliefs change with the passage of time (Mayne 2000). The society must not bear the brunt of too many happenings that ads come up with. Even the advertising gurus and proponents have long and hard suggested that ads play a huge role within the societal domains. This is needed because it sets the basis for finding out where anomalies exist within the societies and how they can be taken care of. Conclusion Essentially speaking, the role of ads within any society of the world according to my perspective is a demeaning one and there are no two opinions in front of me. I have long believed in the fact that advertising will reinforce a very negative message all along and any pessimism that arises shall easily be taken care of if comprehended within the relevant thick of things. What is significant to gain an insight of is the message that comes along with advertising and the various ads that are there on the media. When their message is represented, the role within the societal domains is made apparent and that too within different contexts and subjects (Syrett 2004). What is needed now is an understanding by the people that they can think apart from what the populist belief is so that they can see the other side of the coin as well, which would be positive in essence. This would give them enough food for thought and make them realize where they can think differently about advertising. All said and done, I am proud of the fact that my understanding is based on logic more than anything else and I have more than enough evidences available to make people comprehend what I am talking about and how reason is available within my knowledge and the related insights. References Danesi, M. (2008). Why it sells: decoding the meanings of brand names, logos, ads, and other marketing and advertising ploys. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, pp. 61 Fay, M. (2006). Cyclical patterns in the content of advertisements: Replication, confirmation, extension and revision. Journal of Marketing, 40(1/2), pp. 18 Kadir, R. (2013). Rules of advertisement in an electronic age. International Journal of Law and Management, 55(1), pp. 27 Klein, N. (2000). No space, no choice, no jobs, no logo: taking aim at the brand bullies (any edition). New York: Picador USA. Mayne, I. (2000). The inescapable images: gender and advertising. Equal Opportunities International, 19(2/3/4) Syrett, M. (2004). Advertising and millennials. Young Consumers, 5(4), pp. 43 Twitchell, James B. (2000). Twenty Ads That Shook the World. New York: Three Rivers Press, pp. 42 Wolf, N. (1990). The Beauty Myth. New York: Random House, pp. 54 Read More