Skoal ad
Skoal ad“At Least It’s Not Cocaine”
Staring blankly out of the passenger window of my friend’s car, I realize that I am bored out of my mind. Hours from my destination I reach for my friend’s bookbag. I pull out a popular men’s magazine “Maxim” and flip through the pages. I come across an article that catches my attention. It is a smokeless tobacco advertisement loaded with subliminal messages.
The bright lights of a sporting event cause a silhouette of three men. A silhouette that covers the whole page advertisement. These shadows seem to be celebrating. One man has both his hands high up in the air as if he were on top of the world. The second man raises his cup as if he was giving cheers, while the other man seems to be relaxed and enjoying his company. In the foreground there is a large superimposed green case of “SKOAL” premium smokeless tobacco. Under the Skoal is a slogan that reads “ALWAYS THERE IN A PINCH” in big bold text. In smaller yet bold text under the sloagan is printed “Another fine product from the U.S Tobacco Co.” At the bottom left and right corners are Small warning labels in a dull uninteresting shades grey. One of those labels warn of the posibility that the product may cause gum disease and tooth loss. The other miniature label , if seen by the reader, reminds us that skoal is not for sale to minors.
The silhoette of three men is the first thing one should notice at the top of the advertisment. These men are rejoicing at a sporting event. This brings a mood of cheer and fun. The man with his hands high in the air is obviously exited. It is as if there was tension brewing within this man’s body that was let out maybe because of a good play made by the athletes below. This man tells the reader that Skoal will be there when there is tension and will help the reader enjoy and become excited about the aftermath. The man to the right is raising a cup in cheer. The cup is not filled with a beverage, the cup is needed to dispose of the smokeless tobacco once the nicotine has been absorbed into his gums. This man shows that Skoal also helps make the situation more enjoyable. The third man is used to show that Skoal is also for people who do...
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