A Rhetorical Analysis Of Budweiser's Friends Are Waiting

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“Every day in America, another 27 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes” (MADD). Budweiser, one of the first national beer brands founded in America, is currently the number three beer brand in the United States. In their “Friends are Waiting” commercial, the viewers see the emotional connection between an affectionate owner and his playful dog. This commercial mainly targets young adults because it is more likely for them to go out and drink. By using these rhetorical appeals: ethos, pathos, and logos; the Budweiser team persuades the readers to always come back home because someone is waiting. Ethos, by definition, represents credibility or an ethical appeal which involves persuasion by the character involved. Budweiser, also …show more content…

By using the song “I’ll Be Waiting” in the “Friends Are Waiting” commercial, the viewer already starts feeling attached to the loving relationship between the owner and his dog. In the first few seconds of the commercial, the viewer sees the owner carrying his newly bought puppy as he says, “Welcome home, buddy.” The next few seconds, the viewer sees the puppy playing with his owner, and the viewer also sees how the puppy is becoming bigger. During this part, the following lyrics are played, “A lifetime is not long enough to show you what you mean to me.” By having the dog be with his owner at all times during the commercial, the author has done this to show the viewer how much love they have for each other. At the climax of the commercial, the owner is leaving with his friends while holding a six pack of beer. It soon becomes night time, and the viewer sees the dog worrying because his owner has not come home. The concern seen on the dog’s face causes heartbreak in the viewers because of the dogs sadness. When the owner finally walks through the front door, the dog runs up to his arms instantly and the viewer can feel the happiness and relief that is felt by both of …show more content…

As a car drives by the window, the viewer sees the dog lift his head up and lay it down when he realizes it is not his owner. After this scene, the following words are shown on the commercial, “For some, the waiting never ended. But we can change that.” According to MADD, “In 2015, 10,265 people died in drunk driving crashes… 290,000 were injured in drunk driving crashes.” The next morning the owner walks in through the door and says, “I decided I shouldn’t drive home last night”, this shows how responsible the owner is because he does not want to hurt others if he had drove while drunk. In the background, the viewer hears the lyrics, “I’ll be waiting here for you, when you come home to me…” which supports the fact that the dog has been waiting all night for the owner to come back safe and sound. The next scene in the commercial says, “Make a plan to make it home. Your friends are counting on you.” By having the saying in third person, the commercial is trying to persuade the reader to drink responsibly because there is always someone waiting at home. In the end credits, the viewer sees the famous Budweiser logo with the hashtag friends are waiting. In the bottom of the ad, the Budweiser commercial had the words “Enjoy responsibly” on

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