Over the past weekend I viewed many different advertisements through a few different mediums. The first of these was an infomercial that came on ESPN for Oxyclean. The spokesman for this amazing product briskly demonstrates the ways in which it can make cleaning around the house much easier. It definitely employs a logical argument making it obvious for the viewer how it can be used to do incredible things other name brand products could never dream of accomplishing. Oxyclean is being sold through an infomercial so for the average who is at least a little perceptive it has already lost some of its credibility. This is due in part to the countless scams that infomercials are infamous for. This is why the spokesman uses every moment of his time showing off the products usefulness for a seemingly low price, at an unbelievably low price nonetheless.

On the background of my computer there is a picture advertisement for the Dave Matthews Band. The band wants to keep up its casual with the impression that it has yet to sell out to corporatism like so many other rock band before them. This is why they are wearing street clothes one might wear to play a game of frisbee on the weekend. In this way the band takes advantage of ethos by relating to their fans by sending the message that they are just like them (only with a little additional musical talent). This image holds has generally held true for the Dave Matthews Band throughout their history. It was only recently that Dave Matthews himself was in an American Express commercial, which is the first time I have ever seen the musician endorse anything.

When I was walking across the library bridge earlier today there was a group of students handing out booklets of coupons. On the cover of these booklets were pictures of dollar bills with a message running across the center saying "Back-to-School." Coupons are a form of advertising in that they give people a discount on things they might want with the hope that people will come in to buy more generic items at their store. The dollar bills convey the message that the coupons are just as good as money and that the customer would be stupid to throw the coupons away because they're just as good as U.S. legal tender. The booklets also contain coupons for many different stores which tells students with enough patience to hold onto them that there must be a coupon for something I need or want in it.

Later in the day on Sunday I saw a new trailer for the latest superhero flick "The Watchmen." The tag line for this one is simply "You've never seen superheroes like this." With this very simple explanation of the movie's main idea the trailer holds more attraction for a less geeky crowd. The tag line shows these people who haven't been drawn in by the other advertisement for the movie what's so great about this picture. It also doesn't bother with any seemingly bizarre scenes that do not make sense to those who have not read the graphic novel. Instead this trailer gives the viewer a few seconds look at each of the main protagonists starring in the film, only the superheroes mentioned earlier. These brief glances into the film along with the tempting tag line gives the viewer a lingering sense of curiosity concerning this motion picture that will probably want to satisfied when they see it is finally in theaters.

When I was walking into Harcombe I noticed the cover of The Tiger Town Observer. It portrays 3 major Democrats in three wisemen outfits promising "gold, francensense, and change." This cover does several things; first it takes note of the Christmas season by putting the faces of Nanci Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama on the body of the three wisemen. This clever portrayal of these figures that come bearing "gifts" for the American people pokes fun at the promises of change Barack Obama made throughout his presidential campaign and ties in the Biblical story of the birth of Christ. This funny idea given by the cover relaxes those passing by and allows it to transmit its message by connecting with the reader's sense of humor. This in turn pulls the reader in and allows the paper to relay some more serious messages.