I can’t be the only one who notices this, but so often keyword-linked advertising — whatever the technical term may be — produces very funny incongruences and juxtapositions. Online ads usually also involve confusing visual messaging by way of bad graphic design.
The pro-Israel ad I just saw on an LA Times article is the perfect example.
The graphic design of this ad makes Ahmedinejad not only resemble a smurf phenotypically, but puts him in front of an Israeli flag. He actually is in the pose and position of an Israeli leader, and a visionary one pointing up towards the future. Sure most people who recognize him would never see it this was, but how many people can really recognize Iran’s leader? And those who do already will likely not learn anything from the useless short quiz or Stand for Israel’s hasbara.
So their real goal must be to get zionuts to support their group. And this may work for those intents despite the incompetence of this as an issue advocacy ad.
Even more interesting is where the ad appears. Its invitation to get the truth about Israel — an already shady proposal since offering the “truth” on anything automatically invites suspicion — is misplaced. It appears with an article about Israel’s cruel deportation of children. While Israel’s callousness towards non-Jews is well-known by our readers and myself, surely the pro-Israel group advertising online did not intend this as their truth of Israel. Then again, if this ad does aim towards committed zionuts, they do not need to worry about any resultant cognitive dissonance. Their severe ideological commitments tend to wash away possible exceptions to their cherished beliefs.
Related posts:
- The Joys of Clalit
- Kuffiyah-Spotting: Dunkin’ Zionuts
- Syria Online
- Powerful Documentary Online
- Zionuts Go Buck in Montana
Will, c'mon, Ahmadinejad has been interviewed by Diane Sawyer…surely plenty of Americans can recognize him after that!
(However, how many do you think can spell his name?)
Posted by JillianKF | August 5, 2010, 5:45 pmJillian –
I wish I could agree. You have to remember that few people – as a percentage – watch news at all — and for network news, the level is very small. In 2008, a survey showed that only 53% could actually name correctly which party controlled the house — and it's a 50-50 guess. Only 42% could name the then-U.S. Secretary of State, Condi Rice.
And only 16% reported following international affairs.
Of course, the people the ad aims at would indeed know who he is. The design still makes him look more like an Israeli leader than as Israel's villain.
Will
Posted by KABOBfestWill | August 5, 2010, 2:51 pmHey! But the ad person placing the ad must be an anti-zionist. The deportation of little children certainly trumps a stupid ad with a pointing finger that might or might not be an Israeli to most people. The LA Times is on our side!!!!!
Posted by Linda J | August 5, 2010, 11:22 pm