Today, advertisements are
drastically different from what they once were a few decades ago. Advertising
agencies have developed a large arsenal of techniques that they use to persuade
every type of audience, and the most popular seems to be the ads that use
humor, and the ads that engage its audience. Both of these tactics are used in
a subway station advertisement by Bergmann Funeral Service that reads, “Come a
little closer.” Considering the fact that it is on the wall across from the
platform, on the other side of the tracks, it is quite a unique poster.
This advertisement is unique in
that it relies on humor to promote a service that is generally lacking in
laughter. It cleverly uses its context to create a shocking ad by jokingly
suggesting the readers to “Come a little closer” and put themselves in a
life-threatening situation, this advertisement catches people’s attention and
compels them to read the rest of the advertisement’s information. This may not
be sit well with everyone who reads it, but because a subway station sees a
diverse array of people, there are bound to be those who laugh.
The Bergmann Funeral Service, a
company that presumably operates in a city, is taking a risk with this
advertisement. While it is certainly a creative approach to achieving its
purpose, which is primarily to get people to use their services, there is a
greater chance that people will take offense, and therefore avoid their
company. Personally, it did not achieve its purpose, since I don’t find humor
in making fun of death, whatever the circumstances. However, there are undoubtedly
many who do find this ad amusing, and would consider using the Bergmann Funeral
Service, should they ever need to. Hopefully, it won’t have anything to do with
this poster.
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