Your Advertisment

My ad is a Nike ad. It is set in motion...like running in the rain in the big city. The 'backdrop' is a picture of large buildings fading into the distance with the shoe in the forefront. The shoe is brightly colored, and the splash of the step shows well in the advertisment.
This ad is in Women's Health. I do think it is appropriate for this magazine, as it would be for any fitness magazine. The ad is targeting anybody that is into fitness, but it has a 'spark' to it that would make anyone take a second look whether or not they are into fitness. It makes you feel like you could be there...the big city and the 'hustle and bustle' that comes with it.

Elements of an Effective Layout

This article really helped "break down" the ad and understand it a little better.
The informal balance in this ad is well reflected by using excitement to grab attention. This is balanced well formally also in that the ad is easy to read, understand, and make judgements based solely on the picture. There aren't many words in my ad. There is a pleasing impression that is made when you look at this ad, and it makes you feel like you could be there. The emphasis is great as well...the color scheme and the size of the shoe set in the forefront with the city being the background.
I don't know that this article will make me think differently about advertising...although maybe for a short while I will?
Funny you should mention Walt Disney World...I used to work there. It was very common to see all the characters without their heads on. :)

Democracy of Goods

The analytical tool being used here, or the main idea, is to express how using everyday, ordinary products can make you feel like you are 'top of the rank' or make you feel like you 'belong' in a place that seems out of reach. I believe this is still being used today when considering advertisement for most products. Of course, advertisers want to make their product more appealing, but perhaps the most appealing to people is something that is flashy and a 'money saver'. These products typically get more consumers.
This analytical tool applies to my ad of choice...it is flashy and makes the reader feel like they could place themselves there (in the big city). It shows many sides of the product and makes the reader feel comfortable.
This ad is for shoes.

Advertising

I have seen/heard lots of commercials that use humor to grab the attention of the audience. I have also seen lots of commercials that are so dumb, it's ridiculous. Although they are dumb, they do their job by grabbing your attention. I think its funny that you know immediately what a commercial is for based on characters...Progressive, Sonic, etc.
I think there are lots of commercials that don't really make any sense. Some of them are difficult to determine what they are advertising. Of course, these commercials are not effective to me. I don't know that I have ever turned the station because of a particular commercial. I don't recall ever having the urge to try something based solely on a commercial either. Maybe I have?