Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Print advertisement

This is an advertisement released in the 50's in the USA for Lucky Strike cigarettes, an originally american tobacco company. It was made from a historical context abundant of wars, hence the marine in the bottom that is a symbol of the country and it's greatness. Nationalistic values were extremely important and the presence of the marine establishes a relation of trust with the product, as its main goal is to keep the country safe and have the best interest of all people residing in it. When it comes to the social and cultural context, the beginning up until the 70's was an era in which smoking was a society norm, everyone smoked everywhere and it was unrestricted;  young people smoking was perfectly acceptable. Researchers tried to prove that smoking has health benefits and the product itself was deemed healthy especially by portraying it's smokers as attractive people that have friends, that are young, full of vitality, athletic and happy. Having youthful models will help selling these values and characteristics as it makes the audience want to follow it and be apart of it. This makes the advertisement strongly rely on both nationalistic and youthful values.
In this commercial both sexes are featured making none of them physically marginalized although interpretations may vary.The women looks very attractive, almost sexualised , and there is a young man on his knees offering her a cigarette at the beach. This could give the assumption that women only have to be pretty to be offered cigarettes and have men on their feet, making them almost objectified. The man is empowered as it is shown that with only the possession of lucky strike will satisfy women and their needs. It is for this reason that it gives the audience a false view on how women are supposed to look or act and how their value is merely physical.

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