In a written conversation between Ira C. Herbert, an executive of the Coca-Cola Company, and Richard Seaver, a representative of Grove Press, these men convey their viewpoints on the use of the slogan, “It’s the Real Thing.” This marketing phrase was originally used by Coca-Cola over twenty-seven years ago. However, a controversy began once Grove Press began using the catchphrase in order to advertise their book, “Diary of a Harlem Schoolteacher,” by Jim Haskins. Throughout their letters, Herbert and Seaver used rhetorical strategies such as historical examples, tone, and sarcasm in order to achieve their purpose of writing a more persuasive case.…
To begin with, Herbert’s wording would be considered as direct diction because of the way he speaks on behalf of the two companies crossing paths due to them both utilizing, “It’s the real thing” for advertising their products (5). As for when Herbert claims that the author of Diary of a Harlem Schoolteacher must, “stop using the theme or slogan” since Coca-Cola believes that they own this specific slogan due to utilizing this slogan before the author of the book (7). This may be portrayed as direct diction due to the way they don’t try to beat around the bush, but says specifically that they feel the author must not use this slogan because people may become confused if Coca-Cola and the book are intertwined. Moreover, Coca-Cola includes…
a Company, it is a cease and desist letter written by Ira Herbert urging Mr. Seaver to stop the use of the coca cola company slogan “it’s the real thing”. The second letter written by Seaver aims at making a ridicule and parody out of the first letter but is still trying to pass across a message which was that the Grove Press Inc company did not try to steal the Coca-Cola company slogan. The following paragraphs examine the rhetorical strategies of these two letters and analyze the way they have been applied in the case above.…
Marketing companies are increasingly venturing into absurd methods to market products. In our consumer oriented society, the public’s gullibility is optimized by the marketing industry’s power. The Onion, a publication devoted to humor and satire, derides how products are marketed to consumers in order to illustrate the absurdity of marketing strategies. The Onion utilizes testimonials and clever diction to satirize the methods availed by marketers.…
“It's the Real Thing” was first used in advertising for Coca-Cola over twenty-seven years ago to refer to our product. We first used it in print advertising in 1942 and extended it to outdoor advertising, including painted walls--some of which are still displayed throughout the country. The line has appeared in advertising for Coca-Cola during succeeding years. For example, in 1954 we used “There's this about Coke--You Can't Beat the “Real Thing” in national advertising. We resumed national use of “It's the Real Thing” in the summer of 1969 and it is our main thrust for…
Coca-Cola Executive Ira Herbert sent out a letter to Richard Seaver urging Grove Press Inc. to immediately end their use of the slogan "It's the real thing," which Coca-cola claimed rightfully belonged to them. Seaver responded to the letter by stating the company recognized Coca-Cola's reasons as to why they should stop the use of the slogan; however, Seaver employs satire/irony, allusions and a condescending tone to assert the fact that Grove Press Inc. will not render their privilege to use the phrase, "It's the real thing."…
The use of numerous hyperboles throughout article brings awareness to the fact that advertisements do the same thing, over-exaggerations. The article in its entirety is ironic, it is an advertisement making fun of advertisements, which adds some humor to the criticism.…
With the use of criticism, this press release is used to satirize how advertisement is degrading to Americans, and to mock the ordeal methods used by marketers to sell products to consumers as absurd. By using obvious fictional fads, and somewhat surprisingly effective persuasive writing skills, this article is humorous and completely irrelevant. However with the correct use of persuasive writing techniques, mixed with irrelevant, and unrealistic factual information the authors create a humorous satirical scene.…
With numerous products being advertised daily, it is qutie easy to get caught up in being interested in them. While some products seem reliable, others seem “too good to be true,” or in other words, a complete lie. In this case “The Onion publishes a mock article that is satirizing how products are marketed to consumers. As ridiculous, and absurd, as this process maybe, it doesn't stray far from typical marketing rituals. This article discusses the magnasoles company/products using the advantages and “powers” of the insoles, the price, and consumer quotes to advertize and sell their product. Each strategy is humorous and pathetic, and that is what The Onion is expressing.…
This book by Dr. Frank Luntz is about how slight changes in vocabulary can, and do, have an effect on what the audience takes from a speech or written address. The author uses three main points to bring his message to the reader. First, the main theme of this book is defined by the phrase, “It’s not what you say, it’s what people hear.” The author also introduces his set of “Ten Rules for Effective Communication” which serves as a set of guidelines to align the “what you say” and the “what people hear” aspects of the main theme. Thirdly, the author talks about advertisements that “stick” with consumers and why they are so memorable. Finally, to bolster these statements, the author gives numerous examples from his real world experiences.…
From the beginning, the FLO TV personal television ad that first aired during the 2009 Super Bowl grabbed my attention by using Jim Nantz, the legendary sportscaster, to commentate on the entire commercial. Hitting on the rhetorical appeal of ethos, because even if I wasn’t looking at the TV at the time, as soon as I hear Jim Nantz voice, it makes me want to see what he’s talking about. Jim’s giving the play by play on the man in the commercial, Jason Glasby, giving an injury report that his spine has been removed by his girlfriend because he has been forced to go shopping with her instead of watching the football game. Jim Nantz gives his advice that by getting a FLO TV would allow Jason to watch the game and “change out of that skirt.”…
Rhetoric is as simple as persuasion in an essay, speech, or any other form of literature. In The Rhetoric & The Poetics of Aristotle, Aristotle quotes rhetoric in a common topic such as man. “It is absurd to hold that a man should be ashamed of an inability to defend himself with his limbs, but not ashamed of an inability to defend himself with speech and reason; for the use of rational speech is more distinctive of a human being than the use of his limbs,” (Good).…
In today’s mass media, it is quiet common for advertisers to assimilate class into their commercials. These advertisements portray a certain level of elegance because of the sophisticated choice to use classical background music and thick European accents. On the contrary, other advertisers take the common-folk approach by structure these commercials around the western concept. Both of these advertising tactics supports an American paradox. As argued in Jack Solomon’s “Master of Desire: The Culture of American Advertising”, the contradiction lies in the desire to strive above the crowd and the quest for social equality.…
Early spots of creative strategy used by the Partnership for Drug Free America in its advertising campaign are considered “melodramatic” relying too much on scare tactics and stereotypes such as the school bus driver who snorts cocaine; African-American boys selling crack in the school yard; and the “one puff and you are hooked” messages.…
With inflation and unemployment running rampant in our country, industries are constantly trying to draw customers with deals tailored to fit individual life styles. California Casually is a prime example, joining up with California Teachers Association to create a car insurance plan specified to a teacher’s needs. Employing a multitude of rhetorical strategies such as: diction, juxtaposing, and others, the letter convinces the audience to switch car insurance.…