preview

Propaganda Techniques In Today's Advertising

Decent Essays

The business of advertising is a business built on the manipulation of consumers. Companies utilize several different tactics to instill a desire for their product in their target audience. The California Almonds Advertisement in the January- February 2012 edition of Weight Watchers magazine creates a desire for its product by utilizing enriching word, appealing images and subtle hidden messages. The California Almonds advertisement first encourages a desire for its product by using enriching words such as loves, desire, nutrient-rich, healthy and nourish. According to an avid almond consumer, Lorri Izzo stated that she felt the words “ Nutrient-rich, desire, love and nourish” were all words that she said made her want to eat almonds. Anthony Izzo, another almond consumer, also stated that the same words that Mrs. Izzo pointed out stood out to him as well. The author of “Propaganda Techniques in Today’s Advertising”, Ann McClintock, states that some advertisers use a form of propaganda known as Card stacking. Card stacking is when the advertisers only tell half-truths or omit certain details to convince the target audience to buy their product. This propaganda technique is utilized in the California Almonds advertisement because they use a half-truth that states that “Just a handful (of almonds) a day can nourish your heart by helping you maintain healthy cholesterol levels.” This is partially true, yet very false at the same time. If one looks down at the very small

Get Access