"The Persuaders"

The idea that Americans are looking for an identity through products and branding hits the nail on the head. Every day people are out searching for an identity for themselves through purchasing meaningless items such as shoes, purses and clothing. These items in the long run are in no way going to fufill that void of finding an identity because a month later, the consumer is going to be back looking for an even newer purse, pair of shoes, or clothing. In essence, I guess this is the goal of the marketer.

The common elements of persuading the consumers via advertising are so simple. They target us, the consumer by making us feel badly about ourselves, by showing us what a sucessful, beautiful, popular person should have. The feelings of the consumer are to be beautiful successful and "liked" so we are going to see these advertisments and do what it takes to obtain what whatever that tangible item may be. Whether it is a commercial, billboard or sign on the side of a bus, we are surounded by advertisments and we, as consumers are bound to give in to them.

I think as a society surrounded by marketing and advertisments we are only going to get worse. Each company is going to try and out-do the next with something bigger and better which is essentially going to fill every empty space availble with more clutter. The company's job is to market their product, so every company will continue to do bigger and better things than the next guy.