Lack of Information causes Negative Impact

Virginia Moefu
March 1, 2010
RD2

Lack of Information Causes Negative Impact


We live in a world where advertisements are plastered at every billboard, public restroom, elementary schools, etc. but who would of thought the negative impact it does to our society. Companies use commercials as an advertisement tool to lure their consumers to purchase their product. Their inability to provide important facts and cautions to warn their consumers of the side effects of their product are hazardous. Classmate Natalie Choe states, “Advertisements are nothing more than manipulative devices used by corporations into making a profit off their advertised products.” These companies will do anything and everything in their power to obtain a profit. [Thesis] Ads and commercials play a negative impact on our society due to the lack of information and generalization that companies do, to inform their consumers of the pros and cons of their product. [Thesis]

A Red Bull TV commercial shows a man on a motorcycle. He drives up a ramp and lands on the Arc at Paris in Las Vegas while on his motorcycle. He later jumps off the building while on his motorcycle and lands back on the ramp. Then he stands on the ramp stating, “Welcome to my world, the world of Red Bull” and flashes to a screen where a can of Red Bull stands. The phrase, “Red Bull gives you wings” is noted under the can. This commercial wants their viewers to believe their product was the result of this man’s ability to make the jump. This commercial is an example of hasty generalization. They did not show the hard work and practice trials it took for this man to accomplish the jump. The commercial wants their viewers to believe their product literally gives you wings. Companies want the idea of the commercial to connect with the public to purchase the drink because it will allow you to accomplish anything. The Red Bull commercial was a demonstration of man who is trained in stunts. No average person who is not trained will be able to accomplish it. The ad generalizes if one man can do a stunt then any man can do it. The commercial also does not include the dangers of when a child consumes this product. There have been studies of consumers suffering from dehydration, tremors, heat stroke, and heart attacks. But why was this information not included in the commercial. I work at a grocery store where I see little children buying Red Bull to pump them up before a game, is that safe?

A TV commercial aired during Super Bowl 2010 advertising Snickers Bar. The commercial starts off with a bunch of boys playing tackle football. The actress Betty White who is an older woman gets tackled to the ground by her opponent. The team gathers in a huddle and ridicules Mike who is played by Betty White for playing like an old lady. Mike’s girlfriend later calls him to the sidelines to offer him a Snickers bar. After consuming the bar Mike turns into to a young energetic boy who his eager to play. Then it shows an older gentlemen getting tackled to the ground. The screen then reads, “You’re not you, when you’re hungry” and insinuates that Snickers satisfies the hunger. The commercial is an example of a Stacking the Deck fallacy. The commercial wants their viewers to believe if you eat a Snickers bar, you will become a young energetic individual, when all in all it takes way more than a candy bar to become energized. This commercial was aired while millions of Americans waited for the game.

A ad in the newspaper which involves a product in which guarantees instant relief to a headache with the help of “Head On” is an example of the lack of information given to the consumers. The ad simply shows a woman who is suffering from a headache but is later relieved by rubbing a product on her forehead to relieve the pain. The ad ends with the woman smiling and lists the stores where you can find their product. The ad did not offer any type of side of effects that may occur when using this product. The company’s inability to provide specific details of the effects of their product resulted in many complaints of rashes breaking out due to a chemical in the product. According to classmate Kimberly Malott, “Ads tend to mislead people about products they actually see...” Kimberly’s mother is also among the people who had to deal with the repercussions of the lack of information given by this company. Her mother suffered from a bad rash on her forehead after applying this product. This Ad is an example of Stacking the Deck. This ad only advertises the ability to relieve headaches but failed to mention the side effects.

There are thousands of law suits today with products being sold with serious side effects. Companies are being insensitive of the well being of our society. The inability for a company to supply possible side effects of their product results to unexpected symptoms for consumers. It is a shame that it takes a person complaining of a rash or even a death for companies to realize the severity of including the side effects. The public is filled with people of all ages, backgrounds, and education. A person’s interpretation of a commercial can be different with others. Children and adolescents who watch commercials can easily be negatively affected by the effects because they are so impressionable.

Advertisements are posted everywhere you look; therefore trying to avoid them is not an option. They play a big role in a consumer’s ability to purchase a product. It is when companies take it into their own hands and think it’s not necessary to include the pros and cons into their advertisements. These commercials and ads are examples of the negative impact they cause our society. Advertisement play an influential part on consumer spending therefore by providing more information for the consumers will impact our society positively.

Works Cited

Malott, Kimberly. “Negative Impacts on Ads” Online posting. 19 February 2010. Laulima Discussion. 1 March 2010.
[https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal/site/KAP.33517.201030/page/c2a89a6c-a93e-47dd-b419-873ef93bb50f]

Choe, Natalie. “Yes Ads have a negative impact”. 19 February 2010. Laulima Discussion. 1 March 2010.
[https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal/site/KAP.33517.201030/page/c2a89a6c-a93e-47dd-b419-873ef93bb50f]