Big Mac
Haley Spencer
Professor Flood
English 101
20 October 2014
Big Mac with a Side of Apples and a Diet Coke
For decades the fast-food industry has supplied Americans with tasty, comforting food, quickly and for a low cost. It was not until recently, when the health craze first hit America in the late 1980’s that corporations developed a new approach to marketing health food products to fit their customer’s wants. Fast Food companies trick their costumers into believing the fast-food is healthier by fancy advertisement, using descriptive words such as fresh, and not providing enough nutritional information.
The advertising technique of persuasion leads to false impressions of a product, much like the advertisement claims of selling healthy fast food. In “The Indictments Against Advertising” by Courtland L. Bovee and William F. Arens, both author, briefly discuss advertising’s effect on the consumer. They showcase business strategies, in this case the fast-food industry, persuading people to “want what they don’t need” (Bovee 358). With fast food marketing teams promoting healthy alternatives like apples instead of French fries or milk instead of soda, the companies are able to trick the consumer into believing the alternatives are in fact healthier. Not only has the fast-food industry taken the health craze wants of the public and implemented them into their market approach, the companies appeal to psychological emotions by creating commercials relatable to all ages, like young children, teens, adults, grandmas and grandpas, and show them physically enjoying the healthy alternatives.
Some fast-food restaurants are quick at promoting healthy products. For instance McDonalds and Subway. McDonalds, a household name is known for its franchise of cheap, yummy, hamburgers and French fries. On top of selling fried foods, McDonalds adds sugar to their product which keeps the body craving more, as a result consumers prefer their food to other restaurants (Spurlock). This
Professor Flood
English 101
20 October 2014
Big Mac with a Side of Apples and a Diet Coke
For decades the fast-food industry has supplied Americans with tasty, comforting food, quickly and for a low cost. It was not until recently, when the health craze first hit America in the late 1980’s that corporations developed a new approach to marketing health food products to fit their customer’s wants. Fast Food companies trick their costumers into believing the fast-food is healthier by fancy advertisement, using descriptive words such as fresh, and not providing enough nutritional information.
The advertising technique of persuasion leads to false impressions of a product, much like the advertisement claims of selling healthy fast food. In “The Indictments Against Advertising” by Courtland L. Bovee and William F. Arens, both author, briefly discuss advertising’s effect on the consumer. They showcase business strategies, in this case the fast-food industry, persuading people to “want what they don’t need” (Bovee 358). With fast food marketing teams promoting healthy alternatives like apples instead of French fries or milk instead of soda, the companies are able to trick the consumer into believing the alternatives are in fact healthier. Not only has the fast-food industry taken the health craze wants of the public and implemented them into their market approach, the companies appeal to psychological emotions by creating commercials relatable to all ages, like young children, teens, adults, grandmas and grandpas, and show them physically enjoying the healthy alternatives.
Some fast-food restaurants are quick at promoting healthy products. For instance McDonalds and Subway. McDonalds, a household name is known for its franchise of cheap, yummy, hamburgers and French fries. On top of selling fried foods, McDonalds adds sugar to their product which keeps the body craving more, as a result consumers prefer their food to other restaurants (Spurlock). This
Cited: Chandon, Pierre and Wansink, Brain. "The Biasing Health Halos of Fast Food Restaurant Health Claims: Lower Calorie Estimates and Higher Side–Dish Consumption Intentions." Journal of Consumer Research (2007): 302-306. Warner, Melanie. CBS Money Watch. 21 January 2010. 20 October 2014. Bovee, Courtland L., and William F. Arens. "The Indictments Against Advertising." Conversations. Boston: Pearson Custom, 2005. 358+. Print. Jared and Friends. Subway. Doctors Associates, Inc 2001. Video clip