Facebook
Adverts: Their Hidden Power.
Image Credits: http://www.bandt.com.au/news/marketing/hungry-jack-s-claims-oz-first-with-shake-and-win-a
Today
I logged onto my Facebook account for a rapid session of procrastination to
only be bombarded by masses of food adverts from fast food companies. Not only am I starved due to the terrible
quality of the college lunch that I just ate, but the appeal of a hungry jacks
burger grows even further when I realise that there is a possibility of a free
feed if I just sign in, MacDonald’s loose change menu, I’m sold!
In
Our lecture it was discussed that as consumers our choices are not necessarily
our own, but rather by that of large food corporation (Kuttainen, 2013 &
Patel, 2007). Through the use of
advertising on social media sites many large corporations are able to control consumer’s
food choices. Facebook users are not
excluded from this form of manipulation, with food advertising being carefully targeted
at users (Atkins & Bowler, 2001). Although Facebook may not be run by these
fast food corporations, its profit is often generated through their
adverts. With conclusive evidence
indicating that food adverts do indeed effect people’s dietary choices (Atkins
& Bowler, 2001).
As a Facebook users I often see advertisements
on my wall from fast food companies. With
the continual advancement of technology advertisements can also be controlled
by users of social media, with people having the chance to sign into the
restaurants that they are dining at. Some
of these restaurants also offer rewards for those that choose to promote them. An example of this is the current Hungry Jacks adverts that offer
a chance to win a piece of food off the menu if consumers choose to sign into
the restaurant. This is quite a clever concept,
as research has shown that price is a main factor of consideration for
consumers when choosing what food to buy (Atkins & Bowler, 2001).
As
a Facebook user I like to think that I am in control of my own actions,
however, from analysing my social network over the past week I have found that
this is not necessarily the case. Fast
food companies and large corporations have the power to largely influence my
actions with the use of food adverts.
Over the next weeks I shall endeavour to continue to criticise my social
network.
References.
Atkins,
P., & Bowler, I. (2001). The Origins of Taste, Food in Society: Economy, Culture and Geography. London, England:
Oxford University press.
Kuttainen, V. (2013) BA1002: Our Space: Networks,
Narratives, and the Making of Place. Lecture 7, A Case of Rum [PowerPoint
Slides]. Retrieved from www.learnjcu.edu.au
Patel, R. (2007). Stuffed and Starved: The hidden
battle for the Worlds Food System. London, England: Harper Perennial.
Image Credits
Hayes, A. (2012). Hungry Jacks Claims Oz first with
Shake and Win app. Retrieved from: http://www.bandt.com.au/news/marketing/hungry-jack-s-claims-oz-first-with-shake-and-win-a
It's interesting to know that we are indeed influenced by the fast food fat cats. Fast food chains are making it harder and harder to say no to a quick meal. As if we aren't seeing their ads enough on T.V, but we also have to try and ignore the scrumptious looking burger that's on the side of our news feed. Of course we always go back to the stereotypical, the picture is better then the actual thing theory, but seeing their products everywhere always make me a little bit hungrier. Kuttainen (2013), stated that "food has a symbolic meaning". This makes perfect sense. When we think of a Big Mac or Whopper, we can link these specific burgers to all kinds of memories. I to like to think I have control over my actions, but when I know that my perception on food is being altered through the non-stop advertising, I know better then to be so naive.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Kuttainen, V. (2013) BA1002: Our Space: Networks, Narratives, and the Making of Place. Lecture 7, A Case of Rum [PowerPoint Slides]. Retrieved from www.learnjcu.edu.au