Bias in Advertising

Sample Solution

I watched ads for the following brands:

• Starbucks
• Dunkin' Donuts
• Pantene
• Carol's Daughter
• Dove

I also visited the websites of these brands to learn more about their products and target audience.

Do the people in the ads/on the website physically mirror the way they look, dress or act?

Full Answer Section

For example, the Starbucks ad I watched featured a diverse group of people of different ages, races, and ethnicities. They were all dressed in different ways, and they were all doing different things. Some people were working on their laptops, while others were talking to friends or simply enjoying a cup of coffee.

The Dunkin' Donuts ad I watched featured a family of four getting ready for the day. The mother was making breakfast, the father was getting the kids ready for school, and the kids were eating their breakfast. The ad was relatable and heartwarming, and it featured a diverse family.

The Pantene ad I watched featured a group of women of different ages, races, and ethnicities. The women were all talking about how they love Pantene shampoo and conditioner, and how it makes their hair look and feel great. The ad was empowering and inclusive, and it featured a diverse group of women.

The Carol's Daughter ad I watched featured a group of women of color. The women were all talking about how they love Carol's Daughter hair products, and how they make their hair look and feel great. The ad was empowering and inclusive, and it featured a diverse group of women of color.

The Dove ad I watched featured a group of women of different ages, races, and ethnicities. The women were all talking about how they love Dove soap, and how it makes their skin look and feel great. The ad was empowering and inclusive, and it featured a diverse group of women.

Why might that be/not be?

I think that it is important for brands to feature a diverse range of people in their ads. This is because it shows that the brand is inclusive and that it values all people. It also helps to make the ads more relatable to a wider audience.

Some people might argue that brands should only feature people who are physically attractive in their ads. However, I think that this is a narrow view of beauty. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and it is important for brands to reflect that in their ads.

Who is the intended target audience?

The intended target audience for the brands I listed above is broad. These brands offer products and services that are used by people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and genders.

Who might be left out?

It is possible that some people might be left out of these brands' target audience. For example, people with disabilities might not be able to use some of the products and services that these brands offer. Additionally, people who live in poverty might not be able to afford to purchase the products and services that these brands offer.

Overall, I think that the brands I listed above do a good job of featuring a diverse range of people in their ads. However, there is always room for improvement. I would like to see these brands continue to feature people with disabilities and people who live in poverty in their ads.

Additional thoughts

I think it is important to note that the advertising industry has a long history of excluding certain groups of people. For example, black people were often stereotyped in ads in the past, and women were often portrayed as being inferior to men.

However, in recent years, the advertising industry has made some progress in becoming more inclusive. More and more brands are featuring a diverse range of people in their ads. This is a positive change, and I hope that it continues in the future.