An Advertent Advert: Banksy's Words of Wisdom

 Perhaps it's because I come from a background other than advertising that I can view this ad with a more objective, unbiased opinion. Although I did experience a touch of cognitive dissonance while reading Banksy's statements; I know that not all advertising is created equally, and that for every "evil" add that attempts to sell an unfavorable product or service (i.e. cigarettes or plastic surgery), there is an ad that champions a noble cause or is simply just trying to sell a product in a competitive, capitalist society. But at the same time I can see how the average consumer would obtain a distrusting attitude towards advertisements after reading Banksy's statements; I myself paused and reflected over the plethora of ads that target me as a women and try to sell me beauty ideals that often compromise my self-esteem. Companies like Victoria's Secret and Maybelline, Revlon, Dove, etc. constantly perpetuate beauty standards and gender norms that are harmful to young women who feel that these products are necessities for their social worth. So the question is, how do you market such products towards a target audience without objectifying them? Or the real question, how do you get corporations and advertising agencies to care about the impact it has on society?

     I will admit, I have a lot to learn about advertising. I am a young, naive, aspiring PR specialist who would rather work in non-profit for a good cause than earn a hefty salary at a Fortune 500 company whose main interest is to sell products. Maybe one day that will change-- maybe I'll shed my soft skin and come around to the idea of wealth and prestige. Probably not-- hopefully not. At least, not while I can still sympathize with Banksy and his wary disregard for manipulative advertising that sells for profit instead of trying to better the world. This ad is useful to advertising majors, or any communications major, who has trouble seeing through the consumer's eye. Perhaps if more of us understood what it's like to be on the other side of the advertiser-consumer equation, we could begin to change the way advertising relates to, and respects, its audiences.

( Response is to Banksy's Coke Ad)