Introduction
Advertising is something that is used by companies all over the world. It is hard to go a day without seeing an advertisement of some kind. There are many different mediums to choose from when designing an advertisement. From print ads to video ads, and even radio ads, this form of communication and persuasion of the public is something that is hard to escape. However among all of these different forms of advertising, print advertising can reach the most of the public eye. This form of promotion can be seen in newspapers, magazines, banners, posters, billboards, the options are plentiful, and everywhere.
Print advertising is something that has been around since the late 1800’s, and has been a strategy to promote products or services. However the print ads that are seen today often include imagery or innuendos that would never have been acceptable in late 1800’s or even the first half of the twentieth century. Beginning in the 1960’s advertising began to use sex to appeal to viewers in a whole new way. Since then, the use of sexual imagery or innuendos in print advertising has continued to increase. An article published by UGA Today, University of Georgia’s public news, showed that in 1983, 15% of the print ads published in popular magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Newsweek, and Time, contained sexual imagery. In 2003 print advertisements were examined in these same magazines and it was found that 27% of the advertisements contained sexual imagery.
In addition, a second article published on Live Science, points out some more startling statistics. The article “Sexy Advertising on the Rise” points out that the use of sexual appeal is extremely popular in advertisements for alcohol, entertainment, and beauty products. It highlights just how much the use of sexual appeal has increased over the years.
"Sexy Advertising on the Rise" wrote that “In 1983, only 9 percent of alcohol ads used sex to sell booze. Today, that number stands at 37 percent. Sexually arousing entertainment ads increased from 10 percent in 1983 to 33 percent today, and 51 percent of beauty ads now include sexiness, compared with 23 percent in 1983”
The use of sexual appeal has become a popular trend in advertising and marketing companies, and it is something that should no longer be used. When advertisements first started using sexual appeal in the 1960’s, it was viewed as very controversial; however, since then, use of this form of promotion has increased in quantity, and has also become more widely viewed as acceptable advertising. The fact that it is more common, and more accepted should be proof enough that sexual advertising is shaping society. It is influencing not just the purchase intentions of consumers, but more broadly it influences how sex is viewed in society. This over exposure to sexual appeal is not necessary for advertising, and should not be as widely accepted as it is.
Print advertising is something that has been around since the late 1800’s, and has been a strategy to promote products or services. However the print ads that are seen today often include imagery or innuendos that would never have been acceptable in late 1800’s or even the first half of the twentieth century. Beginning in the 1960’s advertising began to use sex to appeal to viewers in a whole new way. Since then, the use of sexual imagery or innuendos in print advertising has continued to increase. An article published by UGA Today, University of Georgia’s public news, showed that in 1983, 15% of the print ads published in popular magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Newsweek, and Time, contained sexual imagery. In 2003 print advertisements were examined in these same magazines and it was found that 27% of the advertisements contained sexual imagery.
In addition, a second article published on Live Science, points out some more startling statistics. The article “Sexy Advertising on the Rise” points out that the use of sexual appeal is extremely popular in advertisements for alcohol, entertainment, and beauty products. It highlights just how much the use of sexual appeal has increased over the years.
"Sexy Advertising on the Rise" wrote that “In 1983, only 9 percent of alcohol ads used sex to sell booze. Today, that number stands at 37 percent. Sexually arousing entertainment ads increased from 10 percent in 1983 to 33 percent today, and 51 percent of beauty ads now include sexiness, compared with 23 percent in 1983”
The use of sexual appeal has become a popular trend in advertising and marketing companies, and it is something that should no longer be used. When advertisements first started using sexual appeal in the 1960’s, it was viewed as very controversial; however, since then, use of this form of promotion has increased in quantity, and has also become more widely viewed as acceptable advertising. The fact that it is more common, and more accepted should be proof enough that sexual advertising is shaping society. It is influencing not just the purchase intentions of consumers, but more broadly it influences how sex is viewed in society. This over exposure to sexual appeal is not necessary for advertising, and should not be as widely accepted as it is.