How to be an active Dad

     Ever since we started analyzing print ads in class, I do not think i will ever look at print-ads the same anymore. I can not look at an ad without pointing out a technique the advertiser used in order to sell a product. Recently, an ad that caught my attention as I was flipping through one of Cosmopolitan's magazine was Vicks' Dayquil and Nyquil. This caught my attention because it was the only ad that did not seem to fit in a magazine full of women, fashion, and cosmetics. The ad displayed a split picture of a dad during the day with his children and the same dad sleeping at night. Words printed in bold labeled, "DADS DON'T TAKE SICK DAYS. DADS TAKE DayQuil NyQuil" It also listed several discomforts that the medicine claims to treat.
     I noticed that the picture itself was trying to advertise the basic appeal of the need to achieve. By including a  picture of a dad taking care of his kids during the day, the advertiser is claiming that DayQuil would help you achieve obstacles during the day. In this case, the the father is achieving the obstacle of having to take care of three children regardless of his discomfort. The other picture claims that NyQuil would help you achieve more sleep by treating your discomfort. Thus, you would be ready to achieve more obstacles the following day. The ad was also advertising the basic appeal of the need to nurture. The ad was able to appeal to paternal instincts by including a father and children. This suggests that the product would enable you to nurture your children with ease.
     The advertiser also used the technique of weasel words that claim the product to fully function without making any guarantee. The list claims to treat "...coughing, sniffling, sneezing, aching, fever..." but does not actually guarantee that the product will work. Using the word, "DADS" and a picture of a dad, they advertiser was able to target specific demographics of middle-aged dads. The phrase "POWER THROUGH YOUR DAY" was used to target Psycho-graphics of those who are active and have a can-do attitude.