Advertisements are like traps, and traps come in different shapes and sizes. An example would be the more glamorous it is, the more attractive it becomes. Another example would be the more secretive it is, the harder it is to avoid it. Over the years, advertisements have evolved, from simple but subliminal slogans, to printed pictorials, and then to online and television animated clips with catchy jingles that make a lasting impact. I feel that advertisements are nothing more than a little mind game that entices innocent viewers into buying the products. Many companies cross the line by conning the viewers, either by overstating the products’ advantages, or by understating its disadvantages. Indeed, such compromising of integrity is deemed essential for one to make a mark in the ever competing industry.
Advertisements may not always work for our benefit. Companies with only themselves in mind choose profits over integrity and morals. These companies manipulate true information and bend it in such a way that consumers will believe what they say. An example would be tobacco companies; some of them claim that their products are healthier and even contain less harmful ingredients than others in the market. However, this may be contradicting to the real ingredients they use. Indeed, ingredients might have changed and one could smoke twice as many sticks to die, but the fact that it is harmful cannot be changed, and declaring it as a “healthier” choice shows a lack of integrity. Hardcore smokers who trust what their pack of cigarette say would believe that their daily fix of cigarettes contain less nicotine, for example, even when the nicotine level is in fact, unchanged, and equals that of other brands. This irresponsible play on words not only leaves consumers in the dark, but can also lead to the deteriorating health of the smokers. In this case, consumers are on the losing end, while the companies enjoy the benefits of having naïve consumers.’
Although this type of advertisements lacks integrity, but I believe that it cannot be actively restricted. The purpose of advertising is to draw in more consumers, and by restricting such advertisements which cons its viewers, not only will the company suffer, so will the economy. In the first place, consumers should think about what advertisements say before buying the product. By simply accepting facts that advertisements push across, consumers are the irresponsible ones. The government, however, can send warnings to companies who do not adhere to guidelines on advertising. I believe that the government should not ban products just because advertisements do not put across the products in a morally right way. People should get the freedom of choice when it comes to a free market, and hence, the only things the government can do is to educate the public on choosing products wisely, as well as warning companies that utilises advertisements which lack integrity.
If I were a creative director in an advertising company, I would see the situation before deciding on whether to compromise on honestly and integrity. I believe that, in times of crises or need for funding, compromising integrity is one of the only solutions to push a product across for higher profits. Indeed this lack integrity is selfish, but only this way, can my company actually make a mark in the industry. By doing this, my company will gain, and so will the economy. Of course, if my company is doing well already and require no further financial support of any kind, I do not see the need to be dishonest when it comes to advertising. I firmly believe that creating products is all about creativity, and that if one’s product is creative enough to stand out, one would naturally do well.
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