Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Can’t get you out of my head


Have you ever gotten the catchy jingles played during commercials stuck in your head to the point of annoyance? Or have you ever recalled a product just because of the melody of the music in the background? Remembering a commercial or product because of the music within the advertisement is not coincidence. Advertisers set out to include music and jingles to evoke consumer memory.


Hearing music in advertisements is an indirect way music affects our lives. Even if we choose not to play an instrument or listen to music from an IPod, music in advertisements is something hard to avoid.


For the past few hours tonight I have been paying close attention to the commercials on popular TV channels. While working on my computer at the same time, I noticed that the TV caught my attention every time music was included within an advertisement.


Repeating a small set of lyrics with a rhythm is one way advertisers promote their products. Subway has been successful in doing this with the “five dollar foot long” song.


Using a popular music artist’s song as a complement to the video in a commercial is another way advertisers intrigue the audience. The IPod Nano-Chromatic commercial features the song “Bruises” by Chairlift. This contemporary song parallels the new technology of the IPod Nano.




Other advertisers use catchy jingles to aid memory. The Empire Carpet commercial has included their phone number in their jingle to ensure audiences know how to contact the company. 800-588-2300 Empire! I will never forget their phone number because of that jingle.


Seeing that music has such powerful effects in advertising is an astounding reality. Next time you sit down on your couch to catch a few hours of TV, instead of making a snack during the commercials, listen for the utilization of musical influence.


-J-


subway $5 footlong construction worker commercial

Empire Today

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