Advertising and Branding Through the Times

            From text heavy ads with not structure in the 1700s to bold-faced and

eye-catching advertisements in today’s time, it was interesting to see how advertising and branding have evolved to become such an important part of our lives. In the 1700s the ads’ purpose was to merely inform the public about an item that was selling. No fancy effects or strategies were put into play for these simple advertisements. Fast-forward to now and there are entertaining and extremely persuasive commercials, billboards, online ads, and radio catchy tunes everywhere. Along with advertising, the importance of branding has become part of an individual’s identity and plays a huge factor into deciding which brand of a product to buy. For one type of product there is an excessive amount of different brands all competing for you to buy their product.

For example, which brand of popcorn would you choose?

Personally, I would choose the Orville Redenbacher brand because I know it’s been around for awhile, there is comfort in that the box has remained the same red color (like the inside of a movie theater) with Orville on it, and the fact that there have been commercials of this particular brand, therefore it must be the best! Whereas, the brands Pop’s Corn and Organic Natural Popcorn I have never even heard, of so I would tend to stray away from these two (even though they might taste better than Orville’s).

Which brand of water would you choose?

Deciding between the five water bottle brands, I would easily go for the Fiji water because the brand Fiji has a pretty design with a tropical feel which makes me feel like I’m about to go on vacation and it gives shows my status that yes I am willing to spend a little extra money just to drink Fiji water instead of Crystal Geyser. Even more so, if I saw someone walking around with an off brand (like a few of the ones below), the unknown and unpopular brand gives off the impression that the individual isn’t willing to spend extra for a more known/accepted water bottle brand.

By having popular and expensive brands of products it gives me a sense of pride that I can buy items with a higher status and possibly better design. Drinking Starbucks, eating In n Out, carrying a Coach purse, and wearing a Tiffany’s necklace all make up who I am because when I use these brands I feel more empowered and confident since they are typical brands that are popular of people my age. By wearing a certain brand I have the possibility of connecting easier with others who share the same interest in a particular brand. Whether it’s buying a burger from Burger King or McDonalds, or buying Jordan or Reebok shoes, I pay attention to brand just as much as the next person because it truly does affect the way others and I view myself.