Advertisements R Us Summary

Author of Advertisements R Us, Melissa Rubin, analyzes what ads reveal about the culture by studying the targeted audience. Rubin begins her analysis of a 1950s Coca-Cola ad by describing in detail the people that are seen in the ad, the setting and background, and the message it is trying to convey. She notes that the people in the ad are mostly men and white, with the exception of a few feminine figures, she also indicates that most of the men in the front of the ad are in military uniform. Rubin then connects the male-dominated society and military men to what is happening in that point of history. The author next describes the setting of blue skies and urban industry - then responds to how they were not concerned about the environment at the time, unlike we are today.  She also analysis the slogan and the mascot of the add, and what they represent. Rubin concludes with analysing how the ad reflects back onto the culture, identifying the values and what made this ad so successful.