ASPCA Advertisement Analysis

This advertisement from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) immediately affects the viewer’s emotions. By playing sad music in the background while images of scared and injured animals pass the screen, the creators of this advertisement are successful in compelling many viewers to open up their wallets and donate to the cause. Through the use of common rhetorical devices as well as less obvious strategies, this advertisement targets the viewer’s mind and succeeds in its goal of presenting the topic as a problem that needs to be solved. However, it is interesting to consider whether the problem that should be addressed is really animal neglect or something bigger, like the fact that many citizens prioritize

The sad background music immediately sets the tone and the speaker’s soft, mild voice only furthers the auditory strategies used throughout this commercial. This advertisement also evokes emotion through visual senses; for example, the images are very realistic and sometimes graphic. The combination of visual and auditory appeals creates an emotional advertisement that is hard to forget about. Sarah McLachlan, the speaker in the advertisement, said herself: “I have to say it was brutal doing those ads…I can’t watch them-it kills me” (Marquina). She is not alone in feeling this way; many viewers find the advertisement to be too heart-wrenching. Even if the commercial overwhelms these viewers, it still is successful in evoking their sympathy and lingering in their

In an article describing the entire series of ASPCA ads that Sarah McLachlan appears in, the author states “that simple pitch has raised roughly $30 million for the organization since the advertisements started running in early 2007, making it the A.S.P.C.A.’s most successful fund-raising effort” (Strom). This article goes on to explain that many viewers are compelled to donate because they feel empowered whereas the animals being shown are helpless; the ads make the viewers feel like they can make a huge difference and this is a major advertising strategy. After further researching the success of this advertisement, it became clear that this method was not only used by the ASPCA but also in many other commercials that are aiming for donations from the viewers. It is found that people “are particularly sympathetic and likely to donate when they see sad expressions versus happy or neutral expressions” (Small & Verrochi). Based on this research, it is intentional that victims are pictured on charity appeals, such as this one, to elicit the responses that are believed to engender prosocial behavior. With that said, it is not a surprise that these ads were successful in bringing in donations for the