Introduction to media Essay
Advertising has acted as a social mirror over the years, reflecting shifts in consumer preferences, social norms, and cultural values. This development is especially noticeable in the beverage and home product industries, where marketers have continuously modified their messaging to appeal to a new generation of consumers. This study will examine how print ads for soft drinks and laundry, in particular, have changed throughout four generations. Along with printed ads we’ll be examining TV ads for perfumes and alcohol the analysis will take place from the 1940s to the present. We can track how American culture and marketing tactics have changed over time
The evolution of soft drink advertising shows a big glimpse into changing American cultural values. In Generation 1 (1940s-1950s), Coca-Cola ads often showed wholesome family scenes or all-American activities. A typical ad might show a smiling white American family enjoying Coke at a picnic, emphasizing traditional family values and post-war optimism. The language was invariably polite and proper, with slogans like “The pause that refreshes.”Moving into Generation 2 (1960s-1970s), we see a shift towards youth culture and individuality. Pepsi’s “The Pepsi Generation” campaign, launched in 1963, exemplifies this change. These ads featured young, active people engaging in trendy activities, reflecting the growing focus on youth and counterculture. The tone became more casual, with colloquialisms entering the advertising lexicon.Generation 3 (1980s-2010) saw soft drink advertising become more diverse and globally oriented. Diet Coke’s launch in 1982 marked a significant shift towards health-consciousness and targeted marketing to women. Ads from this era often featured celebrities and emphasized lifestyle benefits rather than just taste. The language became more direct and sometimes edgy, as seen in Mountain Dew’s “Do the Dew” campaign.In Generation 4 (present day), soft drink advertising has adapted to health concerns and digital culture. Many ads now focus on zero-sugar options or natural ingredients. Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign, which personalizes bottles with names, reflects our current era of social media and individual expression. The tone is often playful and interactive, encouraging consumer engagement beyond just purchasing the product.
Laundry detergent ads provide a stark illustration of changing gender roles in American society. In Generation 1, these ads almost exclusively targeted housewives. A typical 1950s Tide ad might show a smiling woman in an apron, proudly displaying her brilliantly white laundry. The copy often used patronizing language, assuming women’s primary concern was pleasing their husbands with clean clothes.Generation 2 saw subtle shifts. While women were still the primary target, ads began acknowledging that they might have interests outside the home. A 1970s Cheer ad, for instance, might show a woman rushing from a tennis match to do laundry, hinting at a more active lifestyle. The tone became more sympathetic to women’s busy lives, offering detergents as time-saving solutions.In Generation 3, we see a gradual inclusion of men in laundry ads, reflecting changing family dynamics. Ads started to depict fathers helping with household chores, though often in a bumbling manner that still implied women were the experts. The language became more technical, emphasizing scientific innovations in stain-fighting technology.Generation 4 detergent ads often present a more egalitarian view of household responsibilities. Modern Persil or Seventh Generation ads might show both parents and even children involved in laundry tasks. There’s also a strong emphasis on environmental concerns, with many ads highlighting eco-friendly formulations. The tone is often matter-of-fact, assuming competence in household tasks regardless of gender.
Beer and alcohol advertisements provide a clear window into evolving notions of masculinity and social norms. In Generation 1, beer ads often portrayed drinking as a masculine ritual. A typical 1950s Budweiser commercial might show men unwinding after work, emphasizing beer as a reward for hard work. Women, if present at all, were usually serving the beer rather than drinking it.Generation 2 saw the emergence of more lifestyle-oriented advertising. Miller Lite’s “Tastes Great, Less Filling” campaign, launched in the 1970s, featured sports celebrities and played on male competitiveness. While still male-focused, these ads began to acknowledge health consciousness and expanded the image of beer drinkers beyond blue-collar workers
Beer and alcohol advertisements provide a clear window into evolving notions of masculinity and social norms. In Generation 1, beer ads often portrayed drinking as a masculine ritual. A typical 1950s Budweiser commercial might show men unwinding after work, emphasizing beer as a reward for hard work. Women, if present at all, were usually serving the beer rather than drinking it.Generation 2 saw the emergence of more lifestyle-oriented advertising. Miller Lite’s “Tastes Great, Less Filling” campaign, launched in the 1970s, featured sports celebrities and played on male competitiveness. While still male-focused, these ads began to acknowledge health consciousness and expanded the image of beer drinkers beyond blue-collar workersIn Generation 3, we see alcohol ads becoming more sophisticated and often humorous. Budweiser’s Wassup!” campaign from 1999 is a prime example, using cultural catchphrases and depicting male bonding in a more diverse, urban setting. This era also saw the rise of alcopops and flavored malt beverages, often marketed towards younger drinkers and women.Generation 4 alcohol ads reflect a more inclusive drinking culture. Craft beer ads often focus on the product’s quality and uniqueness rather than gendered appeals. Many modern campaigns, like Heineken’s “Open Your World,” emphasize social responsibility and moderate consumption. The tone is often more subtle and nuanced, acknowledging the complexities of modern social life.
Fragrance advertising offers insight into changing concepts of attraction and self-expression. In Generation 1, perfume ads were heavily gendered. Women’s fragrances were marketed as tools of seduction, often with flowery, romantic language. Men’s colognes, less common, emphasized masculinity and sophistication.Generation 2 saw fragrance ads become more sensual and daring. Revlon’s Charlie perfume ads in the 1970s featured independent, pants-wearing women, reflecting the women’s liberation movement. Men’s cologne ads, like those for Old Spice, began to use more overt sexual appeals.In Generation 3, celebrity endorsements became prominent in fragrance advertising. Ads like those for Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamonds or Calvin Klein’s Obsession pushed boundaries with provocative imagery and concepts. The language became more abstract and evocative, focusing on mood and lifestyle rather than specific scent descriptions.Generation 4 has seen a shift towards more inclusive and diverse representations in fragrance ads. Unisex fragrances have gained popularity, challenging traditional gender norms. Ads often focus on individual expression and authenticity rather than conforming to societal standards of attractiveness. The tone is frequently empowering and celebratory of diversity, as seen in recent campaigns for fragrances like Gucci Bloom or Tom Ford’s Black Orchid.
The evolution of advertising across four generations reveals a profound shift in American cultural values, social norms, and consumer expectations. From family-centric, gender-stereotyped ads of the 1940s and 1950s to today’s diverse, inclusive, and socially conscious campaigns, advertising has both reflected and influenced societal changes. Soft drink ads have embraced individual expression and health consciousness, laundry detergent commercials now present egalitarian views of household responsibilities, beer advertisements promote inclusive enjoyment and responsible consumption, and fragrance ads celebrate personal expression and diversity. These changes underscore the dynamic relationship between advertising and culture, with advertisers adapting their strategies to resonate with evolving consumer values. The shift towards inclusive representation, environmental awareness, and social responsibility in modern advertising reflects broader cultural trends. This analysis demonstrates that advertising is not merely a mirror of society but an active participant in shaping cultural norms and values, and it will continue to evolve alongside American society in the future.
