“Ubiquitous” and “intrusive” are two words I have commonly used to describe advertisements. Due to developing technologies, companies have expanded the outlets for which to advertise products. In addition to the traditional advertising methods of print, radio, and television, advertisements have been insinuated into every medium. Ads are popping-up in the home at a greater frequency now that a higher percentage of the population own personal computers and cellular phones. Similarly, while companies have more means of exhibiting advertisements, consumers have more media vying for their attentions. The way products and consumers are paired is changing. Companies must pick and choose which advertising medium will reap the highest profits. As internet usage increases, companies are pulling away from traditional advertising methods and are spending more money on digital ads. Target-marketing is a form of direct advertising where a company promotes a product to a specific person or group of people. This way, it is more likely those selected consumers with specific interests will purchase the desired good or service that pertains to their tailored tastes. A trend in advertising is to advertise products in specific media in order to reach the desired demographic.
In documenting my exposure to advertisements, I have concluded that the majority of ads remain in the periphery of my consciousness. And furthermore, the ads I am exposed to are mostly of my own volition. The maximum barrage of ads I experience are during activities such as showering, driving, doing household chores, and using the Internet. This is in direct correlation with the time I spend listening to the radio. I frequently turn on the radio during these activities, which provides background music for my daily tasks. In conjunction with music, the radio allows for advertisements to permeate my immediate surroundings. However, I tend to block-out the advertisements, whether through simply ignoring the incessant voices or by changing the station. When utilizing the internet, I rarely pay any heed to the ad pop-ups and banners. Instinctually, I “x” out the ad and continue with my previous pursuit. Although a television is frequently on, both in my home and at my work, the volume is low and the screen serves more as background filler than entertainment on the foreground of my thought. Not entirely unintentionally, my life is designed in such a way so that I am not too particularly bothered by the “ubiquitous” and “intrusive” ads that are apparent in my society. When companies target me as a consumer of some demographic via the internet, I have the choice to read or delete the email. When driving, I choose paying attention to the road, not billboards. The only medium I actively participate in as a “good consumer” is the magazine. I choose to purchase magazines, look them over cover to cover, and keep them in my house for months. Perhaps I don’t mind engaging in magazine ads because not only are they aesthetically appealing, they are quiet.
