/r/adbreakdown

Photograph via snooOG

Ad Breakdown is a space for dismantling and discussing advertising. Whether it's trying to figure out what the advertiser intended, how it was made and who it's for. If you've got something to share or say, let's have it!

Ad Breakdown is a sort of Kremlinology for adverts. Here we take adverts and break them down to figure out exactly what the advertiser intended, and how it works on the intended target audience, along with discussions of ad-related psychology and scientific studies.

You don't need to be an expert in advertising to contribute, we're all affected by its impact.

You may post ads themselves with an [Ad] tag.

You are also welcome to post links to articles discussing the impact of adverts, particularly those relating to scientific studies.

/r/adbreakdown

2,354 Subscribers

5

Bob Hoffman on when advertising broke down (57 sec >>)

0 Comments
2023/03/15
09:45 UTC

8

interesting video essay about data collection and privacy [exurb1a]

0 Comments
2022/08/28
02:12 UTC

14

Why would they advertise this

10 Comments
2022/06/19
02:48 UTC

9

How do You Read an Advertisement?

1 Comment
2021/08/03
10:23 UTC

6

The Psychology Behind Good Advertising

0 Comments
2021/05/11
14:54 UTC

4

Directors breakdown what it is that makes their favourite McDonald's ad so brilliant

1 Comment
2021/02/22
12:13 UTC

9

How robots make stunning slow-motion food beauty shots in commercials

0 Comments
2021/02/02
11:32 UTC

3

I Wish I Made SIPSMITH

2 Comments
2021/01/26
13:03 UTC

2

I Wish I Made HONDA - Cog

0 Comments
2021/01/26
13:03 UTC

2

I Wish I Made LEVI'S - Flat Eric campaign

0 Comments
2021/01/26
13:02 UTC

5

I Wish I Made THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF Trailer

0 Comments
2021/01/26
13:02 UTC

5

I Wish I Made IKEA - Home

0 Comments
2021/01/26
13:01 UTC

2

I Wish I Made STELLA ARTOIS - Last Orders

0 Comments
2021/01/26
13:00 UTC

5

I Wish I Made RANDSTAD - Career Girl

0 Comments
2021/01/26
12:59 UTC

42

Every Covid-19 Commercial is Exactly the Same

2 Comments
2020/05/01
09:15 UTC

2

The hidden profits of MrBeast’s $1.00 = 1 Tree fundraiser (what are the margins?)

0 Comments
2020/03/20
00:53 UTC

4

need help identifying the meaning of a symbol from an advertisment

The ad is by shiseido (the secret of high school girls) and I want to know if the symbol on the guy's headphones has any significance or just simply what it is? Thank you (pic here : https://imgur.com/a/8Qu3p )

1 Comment
2017/12/12
10:13 UTC

12

[Meta] Let's try and get this sub working again

TL;DR: After creating this subreddit 4 years ago I neglected it. I'm now back and we're going to make this place fun and interesting. Let's get going.

Longer version:

OK, so I realise I've hardly been active here for some time, and I have let you all down somewhat. Let's try and address that.

This morning I was watching an advert for a life insurance company that is an astonishing piece of art. It's not obvious its for a life insurance company until the very end, and only then if you know that Axa is a life insurance company.

They do not pitch their product. They do not tell you what your cover will cost you. They are planting an image in your head, so when you encounter their brand again in another context - perhaps renewing your life insurance - you will think of them in a positive, warm and - for an insurance company - unusual way, perhaps.

This brings us back to what this subreddit was created for. It was created after this post became my top rated comment on Reddit. I created it without much thought, and then forgot to actively maintain it. You all did a sterling job in doing things without moderation, moaned about me a bit, and then we all forgot about it. Sorry, that's my fault. Let's get this moving again.

However, intent is important: I am still a subscriber to Adbusters. I think it is sad that the most brilliant minds of our generation are spending their mental skills figuring out how to get people to click on things - adverts, 'fake news', content sites with adverts and fake news, whatever. That's what brought me here, but it might not be what brought you here.

Whatever your take, you will likely agree that to engage in advertising is to engage in a form of psychological warfare and to alter people's perceptions in order to benefit the company or product you are advertising. This is worthy of discussion, pulling apart, understanding.

Some of you may work in advertising or perhaps aspire to. Welcome. I hope this subreddit helps you in some way in your career, if for no other reason it will make you consciously aware of the burden you have on society with the choices you make.

Some of you will find advertising nefarious and suspect. Welcome, too. You may be onto something, but conspiracy theories about mind control will result in you being mocked. Sorry.

All of us can agree advertising is meant to affect us, and is worthy of discussion. So let's (hopefully) get on with that.

2 Comments
2017/09/09
08:24 UTC

7

Zero Fuckers

0 Comments
2015/12/23
00:58 UTC

16

Just do it!

2 Comments
2015/12/22
00:36 UTC

3

Microsoft's anime-inspired Internet Explorer ad

0 Comments
2014/03/25
17:53 UTC

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