Advertising. It’s in commercials. It’s on billboards. It’s everywhere.
To prove this, look around you for about five seconds. Depending on where you are, you’ll see fliers, stickers, or clothing that contain a logo or some sort of advertising. We see advertising all the time.
However, sometimes it isn’t obvious. In listening to the lecture in my Mass Media & Mass Culture class today (shout out to Don Lowe), I realized that there is advertising all around us, even in places we don’t notice.
This means that we are constantly being marketed to without even realizing. To help increase awareness about the sneakiness of advertisers, here are five places that you may not have noticed ads have been.
1. Social media
I’m sure you have noticed these ads before, but recently I have found myself not even realizing when an Instagram or Facebook post is an ad. These ads look exactly like any other post, but with a small “sponsored” on them.
They’re easy to dismiss as just another post.
2. Movies
Next time you watch a movie, see how many logos can spot. This is known as “product placement” and it’s more common than you think. Companies pay big money to give their products some screen time.
3. Television shows
As with movies, product placement is also common in television shows. In addition, shows are more inclined to actually talk about the product or make it a part of the storyline.
4. Influencers
5. You and your friends
Are you or your friends wearing an Adidas shirt or Converse shoes today? Although you paid for it, you are a walking advertisement for whatever company you are sporting the logo of.
The truth of the matter is that no matter how aware you become, advertising will continue to be everywhere. However, I enjoy knowing when I am being marketed to nonetheless.
Next time you have some free time, take a look at your phone, television, or even yourself and see how many ads you see. It will really open your eyes.
