Ann Mcclintock's Use Of Propaganda

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Propaganda in today’s urban world is everywhere, taking on many forms found in magazines, newspapers, smart phone applications, and billboards. It is not bounded to what we may only think as being used as radical, totalitarian persuasion by countries that are very different from our own. Ann McClintock defines propaganda as “a systematic effort to influence people’s opinions, to win them over to a certain view or side.” We certainly saw during World War II, but propaganda is arguably more popular now than ever before, and the companies are skillfully using techniques they know will draw their customers in. L’oreal is a prime example of that. Their slogan, “Because you’re worth it” is well-known across the whole world. The way they advertise …show more content…

Like McClintock wrote in Propaganda Techniques in Today’s Advertising, it is the “most-loved and most-used propaganda techniques.” It is the easiest way to win over customers. They see a celebrity they admire, and they think if they use the product, so should they. In L'oreal's ad for instant tan lotion, the viewer sees the beautifully tanned, clear skinned, long-legged model Karlie Kloss. Her hair blonde, effortless wavy hair paired with an unbuttoned white dress shirt and stiletto heels is the L’oreals definition of beauty. Next to her in ‘handwriting’ font has a quote of her saying “In an instant my skin is ready to glow.” For those who are familiar of Karlie Kloss, her modeling career, or just after seeing her appearance, they might buy the product to try because they trust her “judgement” and hope to maybe look as flawless as she does. L’oreal uses Testimonial to teach women that they should strive to look as flawless as Karlie Kloss using their …show more content…

This ad in particular promises “improved softness”. The problem with this claim is that it is unclear to what extent the product may have on its customers. Will the person wearing this product find themselves looking as if they’ve had professional work done, with no fine lines in the skin, or will the person only seen a small difference in their appearance? The word “softness” is also unclear. The word could mean a number of things, such as smooth complexion or evenly toned face. Does this mean the targeted woman needs to have silky soft skin, and if she doesn’t, will this be the product that solves her “problem”? It most likely will not be nearly as drastic as it might seem to me. The advertisement also promises “sublime bronze”, “instant summer glow”, and “blurred imperfections”, all of these claims are too general for anyone to decipher exactly to what extent this product works. This advertisement hopes that by using these words and phrases, women who are insecure about their “imperfections” or white, dull, skin, will buy this new product. L’oreal is a company that has proved to be very successful in their marketing. They know who their customers are, what they like to see, and how to convince them to buy their product. Their ad for their new Sublime Bronze Summer Express Instant Tan Lotion uses three main strategies: Glittering Generalities, Card-Stacking,

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