Living in a World full of Ads

New methods for advertising has increasingly popped up over the past few years. From traditional forms; radio, media, telemarketers, billboards and direct mail to text messages, pop-up on websites, back of receipts etc. Advertisements can now be found anywhere. You cannot venture out during your daily commute and not see an advertisement. They are most likely in the music you listen to while at the same time being exposed to windows and walls plastered with ads on the bus or train your riding, not even mentioning the view outside those windows.

After a long night out in the city this past weekend, my ride and I made a pit stop at a near by gas station. As I sat in the car and waited at the local SpeedWay, I started to notice that the usual radio music was no longer and was now replaced by TV’s that were placed on the top of each gas pump. As I sat to watch the TV program I began to realize what was actually being shown on them.

The program was titled NBC @ the Pump. Included in the programming were ads for Chevy trucks, Pepsi cola, Lowes and American Express. There was also mini news coverage on the weekly weather forecast. Famous,or the word might have been extreme, sports moments were brought to you by ESPN. Lastly, there was an ad for the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

I found it pretty interesting and actually a great way to advertise and market. Showing car ads is an obvious and effective method since you are in a gas station and a driver that may potentially want a new car, Pepsi is effective especially if the driver has been on the road for a while and needs a pick me up and lastly how will you end up paying for your gas and drink? American Express of course. I wonder what will be next!

-LV