Sunday, May 12, 2013

#8- Taylor Swift, walk on (in your Keds)




Honestly, I love Taylor Swift. Anyone that I’ve ever talked to would tell you that I love Taylor Swift. But, don’t worry, this post isn’t going to be about how amazing I think she is, it’s going to be about her ad. She is now in alliance with Keds, the shoe company. This ad Is interesting, to say the very least

I love Taylor Swift. But, I don’t love her ad. Something about it seems very staged. Yes, I understand that there are photo shoots and that pictures in advertisements don’t just come out in real time. However, it’s just so unrealistic. For most sneaker advertisements, I like seeing ads where people are running around and having a good time! People don’t buy sneakers so that they can have the fanciest shoes on the block! They want a nice looking shoe that is comfortable and inexpensive. Having a scene that looks so staged and fake doesn’t do a sneaker advertisement justice.

Next, let’s look at the color scheme in this advertisement. Or lack thereof. There is honestly no pattern to the colors in this. That is not a bad thing, except for the fact that they are not selling the shoe, they are selling Taylor Swift. They have her in a yellow sweater and white pants that contrast with the background, making her stand out. However, the shoes are orange and the seats are red. You can barely see them! They are not central in the picture, or even near it. They are resting in a bottom corner, just hoping to go unnoticed. Not the best place for the thing you’re trying to sell, Keds.

The words on the page read “Go Ahead, Get Your Hopes Up.” I assume they mean that if they wear Keds sneakers that they will become and talented and wonderful as Taylor Swift. If that were true, I would buy and pair and never take them off. However, it’s just not realistic. Still, I like the message that it’s sending. It’s saying “Hey, hope for the best and work your hardest! Maybe it will turn out great for you, just like it did for Taylor Swift!” Yeah! Maybe, I can get a contract with Keds, too. I mean, I wouldn’t argue.

Now, while I love Taylor Swift, I just didn’t like this advertisement. Keds are fine shoes, but the ad just didn’t do anything for me. It seemed… boring. And really normal for an ad. If it hadn’t had Taylor Swift, I wouldn’t have looked at it at all. Then again, maybe that’s what Keds wants? They want me to aspire to be like Taylor Swift and are trying to get me to buy their product by association. Still, I just don’t think I’m going to go buy some Keds because of this ad. Sorry, Taylor.

2 comments:

  1. I feel the exact same way. I don't think the advertisement does a good job of selling the actual shoes. The main focus in the pictures is obviously Taylor Swift, not the Keds. I've seen this ad so many times in all sorts of different magazines, and every time I come upon it, I turn the page. Like you said, the color scheme isn't alluring at all. There is nothing exciting that makes me want to focus on the ad more, rather I just realize what it is and disregard it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree that this ad is ineffective because the color scheme, if there is any, doesn't sell the shoe. Like you said, the shoes are not the center of attention, Taylor Swift is. It seems as if Keds didn't have many ideas for this ad because without Taylor, your eye wouldn't be drawn to the picture. It uses the testimonial technique because it's basically saying you can be cool and talented like Taylor Swift if you wear these shoes. Or perhaps it's saying that you can meet Taylor Swift if you support this brand. After all, it says "Get your hopes up." Your hopes of what exactly? Meeting a celebrity? That's what the message seems to be.

    ReplyDelete