Media, Gender And Identity

In “Media, Gender and Identity”, written by David Gauntlett, the author discusses the connections between media and consumers/the general public. This reading develops more on the idea of advertising and branding, and the importance of both of these aspects in the world of buying and selling products. I agree that advertising is extremely important because it is a consumer’s first impression of a product. Advertising is key because it introduces a consumer to a product that they may or may not have discovered on their own. After being introduced to a product by advertising and becoming interested in it, it is then up to the consumer to research or further become familiar with a product before they decide whether or not to purchase it.

Advertising is crucial to selling products, but it also creates cultural changes and trends in the world. As I discussed in my last post, certain products and brands inevitably become more desireable than others based on their advertising and branding, rather than the quality of the products, or the integrity of the brand. I feel as though this is unavoidable, and while some consumers may buy into advertising and branding, it is ultimately the consumer’s responsibility to keep a clear head and to do research and know what they are buying when they make a purchase. Any consumer who bases all of their knowledge of a product based off of the product’s advertising or the company’s branding is ill-informed and will ultimately suffer the consequences.