Advertising Entertainment
Advertisements are, no matter how emotionally compelling or resonant, still trying to sell us something. Aren’t we being manipulated to connect the feelings stirred in us to the brand in question? Even if the idea seems to stand on its own, even if we are moved to laughter or tears, the ad is still an ad, and still trying to sell us something.
I suspect this matters more and less to different people. Sometimes the story loses its impact when the brand is revealed, and even where the meaning is compelling, when an advertisement tugs on your emotions it can make you skeptical of what the company is selling.
And yet, this doesn’t necessarily make an advertisement’s story any less provocative.