A Closer Look on Advertisements

Realise the potential
Advertisements are all around us; on television, in journals, on the Internet...
This blog, I'll examine those promotions, more precisely this one.

In this ad, American Express is advertising their credit card services. They are showing us that by using their card, we can accumulate points. With those points, you can spent it otherwise useless or luxurious items. For instance, after eating at a restaurant and paying with my American Express card, I've accumulated enough points to buy a new game. Neat! As a result, this type of service would be useful when you don't want to misuse your money, yet still be able to afford modern-day conveniences.

Judging by the choice of pictures, (pasta, iPod) this ad is being targeted at highschool and college students. This is justifiable by the actuality that college students and older often have to pay for their classes and appartement rent while still wanting to stay on track with the current music, game and fashion paradigm.

In my opinion, this ad is a fair representation of the proposed product. Albeit being a bit implicit (you
can't turn your food into an iPod), the confusion is cleared once you read the writing in the bottom-right corner. If I showed this ad to someone who had never seen it before, he would be able to establish a few key points: (1) American Express is promoting the use of their (2) credit card, which now features a system of (3) reward points.

The risks associated with using this card may not be known by simply viewing this advertisement. By doing some research, loyalty programs often:
  - Charge an annual fee;
  - Have a higher interest rate;
  - Encourage you to spend more in order to earn rewards;
  - You will receive many flyers in the mail to incite you to spend money;
The list is long, and if you're not careful, can lead to devastating conclusions.

Personally, I would not use a credit card without informing myself; make sure there are no strings attached. Despite the tempting reward system, similar can be achieved by spending money cautiously and avoiding hidden fees and higher interest rates associated with this American Express card. Unless reward miles can be earned (to buy plane tickets), no item is expensive enough to compensate for the use of a credit card. As a student, it is important to prepare myself for my future and avoid the risk of having debt following be around as an adult.

To sum up, it is a good idea to research your product before buying it (or applying for it, in this case). In addition, remember to look for a better alternative if possible.