This advert is very confident about its product especially as it is taking on the BMW which is known as a good, expensive car and also, being German, it is renowned for its quality. What also shows their confidence is that they have a website, mgbeatsbmw.co.uk. In the copy at the bottom of the advert it tells you that it was an independent research company who carried the survey which would suggest that it was fair. They are also being quite cocky in what they say especially “Presumably, this now makes a certain other car ‘the penultimate driving machine’.” In the bottom right hand corner of the advert, the last place you will look before turning the page, it has the company logo just to remind you. This advert is very daring and challenging. It is targeted at people who would consider buying a BMW and who want to have the best.
Alfa Romeo 156
This is a double page advert. This advert is very bright and vibrant which is this advertisers way of catching your eye. This advert is putting forwards the quality, looks and desirability of the car and also the performance. In the text at the top left it uses the word ‘cutting edge’ when talking about the new engine which is basically telling you that you can’t get any better and it then says ‘beauty is not enough’ which suggests that, yes their car is beautiful and has great looks but it also has a lot more. On the right hand side of the advert it has three pictures of impressive parts of the car with a little bit of text telling you about each, emphasising design and performance.
The setting is up in the clouds with a slightly blurred background, suggesting speed and flight and also making the car itself stand out. The car has light directed onto the front, near corner of it making it look really good. The largest text in the centre of the advert says ‘start living your dreams’. This fits in with the setting, in clouds, which gives it the image of a dream car. The advertiser is suggesting that with their new car, it is now possible to live your dreams. This advert again has the company logo and the name of the car in the bottom right corner, the last place you will look when turning a page just to remind you. This advert is quite inviting to look at not only because of the brightness but also because of the lack of text which can sometimes be off-putting. Another interesting thing about this advert is that it says no price for the car. This would mean that it is aimed at people with money to spend, wanting a classy car but also I think that if people go to look at the car then they will be expecting it to be quite pricey because of the image that is given by it.
VW Touran
This advert is aimed at people who need a car for space, practicality and versatility. The advert is very simple, there are no statements and no text on the actual main body of the advert, only underneath which is not read until you have looked at the picture. The graphics are simple, clean and practical, they want the picture to speak for itself. The background is linear almost like graph paper emphasising measurement and size. At first glance the message is to the point, a car with space and practicality. However, the use of ‘chairs’ inside the car links with the copy underneath “up to 39 ‘seats’” and “over five hundred ‘seating’ combinations” to make it more thought provoking. The copy explains the flexibility of the seating arrangements saying there is room for “children, friends, family and anything else you need to carry”. This gives the impression that the car can hold anything and anyone in any different combination.
The advert is simple and factual but has a twist in the picture/message to draw interest.
Nissan Micra
This is aimed at people who want a low cost small car, possibly younger people. In this advert the advertisers are emphasising the ‘1 years free insurance’ and credit terms as they are in bold, lit up and are in the top left corner where you will look and read first. The car is lit up in specific places, headlights and front grill, to be shown as friendly, looking almost like a face. And where it says ‘friendly headlights’ in the text below helps to imply this. I think the use of wind turbines in the background give an implied message of the car being environmentally friendly, cost efficient and having futuristic technology. The smaller text below the car gives information about safety features, highlighting them using capitals, and uses a futuristic language. The text also uses the words ‘friendly’ and ‘fun’ which would maybe appeal more to younger people but also states its safeness at the same time.
All of the adverts are aimed at specific target audiences and give or use different messages to appeal to their target audience. All of the adverts focus on only a few main features to try and keep the advert simple yet effective. They all also have the same basic layout with the large graphic, a bold statement, smaller copy giving information and the company logo in the bottom right corner.
MG Copy - Ultimate performance
Graphic - Challenging
Implied - MG beats BMW
Alpha Copy - Drive a dream
Graphic - Linking to dream
Implied - Heavenly, flying, speed, space, enjoyment
VW Copy - Minor, cleverly linked
Graphic - Main message
Implied - Accentuated, makes you think
Nissan Copy - Affordability
Graphic - Friendly, futuristic
Implied - Message in graphics
These adverts use a range of different techniques to market their products from different selling points but all use the same basic layout. Each advert places emphasis on different areas with factual and implied messages coming from the graphics, copy or both. They have different target audiences so highlight different aspects of the car to appeal to their selected audience. The advertisers, when making their advert, make different choices to interest a particular type of customer, selling not only the car but a lifestyle choice, a statement about yourself.