References

Shakil. "Bad Advertising", 2012. 

http://www.badvertising101.com/category/racist-ads/ (Accessed September and October 2012.)

Dan Evon. "Apologies", 2012. 

http://www.inquisitr.com/266505/mary-j-blige-apologizes-for-burger-king-ad/ (Accessed October 2012) 

"The National Post's Anti Transgressor", 2012. 

http://www.hawkblocker.com (Accessed Ocotber 2012) 

Mary Elizabeth Williams. "Who Deserves to Die?", 2012. 

http://www.salon.com/2012/06/29/who_deserves_to_die/ (Accessed September and October 2012) 

"Amnesty International Launches Butterfly Effect Ad Campaign", 2012. 

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=20094. (Accessed October 2012) 

Amnesty International. "Does Mental Health Discriminate?", 2012. 

http://www.amnesty.ie/content/end-mental-health-prejudice-and-discrimination-campaign-ads. (Accessed September 2012) 

Summary

I chose the themes of racism, sexuality, politics and prejudice because I believe that those are things in society that influence the way we make meaning of what surrounds us in this world.
They frame our thought process and influence everything, whether we are for or against racism, prejudice, etc.

They are also themes that interest me, for they are all equally interesting and ever present in the world of advertising. The ads I chose were just ones that I believe were very intriguing, interesting, and of a topic of common interest in public opinion.  

Who Is Obama?

Another thought provoking ad campaign. This would be mostly to boost the personality side of the Obama campaign, pushing people to see his humanity and make him a relatable character to the audiences.

The captions make you feel bad if you hate him, and make you feel sorry if you do to know that some people out there despise him. It's a win win scenario.  The personification of "Obama's America" also sets this sense of American pride because American is for every American citizen and it doesn't mean that you're being dictatorial if you apply the same rules for the president. I quite enjoy this ad because people don't even think of presidential candidates as relatable people. That is the aim of this ad, and I believe it does it well.

Doubt

Political ads in general are simplistic, because it makes you draw a meaning and sense of intelligence, which is necessary in politics. What this ad is trying to do is create some level of doubt in people's minds. By making them question what life would be with a leader like Romney, they are triggering all sorts of thinking mechanisms in one's brain in order to have impact.

The picture chosen is also key, as people would pay special attention to how they make meaning of an ad when it comes to politics, because politics essentially influences everybody's daily life. They therefore chose a picture that brings a sense of security and seriousness, without alienating audiences with expensive clothes and fancy photography. Just the blurred out face, blurred out so that attention is given to the caption. Simple, smart, and to the point.

Yes We Can

The idea for this ad, drawn from a close observation of American history when they wanted to empower women and minorities, is a great way to boost audience morale.

The idea behind it is smart, and it calls and makes connections in one's mind in all the right places while interpellating just the right way. Michelle Obama is also being exposed in the ad campaigns, which is a great way to make audiences make a good meaning President Obama. A very clever as that can appeal to the target audience, and the majority.

Obama Campaign

The simplicity and meaning of this advertisement really caught my attention. First of, knowledge (semiotics) is necessary to make meaning of this ad, which is always good. Secondly and contrarily, the simplicity makes it easy to understand.

Blue- a color on the American flag, and a color Obama has taken to use because of the political party he supports. A punch line to ask the audience whether they are in or not really works in drawing them in and making them feel involved- something people are quick to spot and connect to if they can spot it in an ad. It can guarantee more effectiveness, which is what this ad is trying to do. The simplicity of it all doesn't make you feel like they're trying to push you and persuade you int anything ridiculous. Just information. Brilliant.

Safari

Michael Kors, a designer brand that creates mostly handbags, came up with this latest advertisement. What this ad is trying to portray is clear, in the eye of the innocent- a warm environment of adventure and fun to capture the shopper's attention. However in the eye of the beholder who knows how o make intelligent meaning, this ad is hiding hints of racism. While it can very well be argued that placing a black man in the background as the safari guide and the white models in the front is completely normal, placement of importance like that should be avoided at all costs.

Racism and the sensitivity surrounding this topic are bad enough without an ad like this to arouse more conflicts. I believe it is important that the creators of advertisements in today's industry should learn more about what we learn in making meanings, of the culture that surrounds each of us and how that influences the way we draw meaning from the things we see. It can be quite helpful.