Sample Answer 2006
2006 Media Studies (Ploughing
Championship)
1
(a)
I think the picture communicates a very
specific idea of the National Ploughing Championships. The picture is an extreme
close up of an elderly farmer’s forehead. His forehead is furrowed, like a
ploughed field. His bushy eyebrows suggest hay bales, and his farmer’s cap acts
like a border ditch to the field. The image is a sepia-toned photograph, which
makes it seem very old.
All of this suggests that the Championships
are aimed at elderly rural men, probably farmers. The event is portrayed as a
traditional, old-fashioned event. There is no information given about the types
of competitions or attractions at the Championships. The target audience is
expected to be very familiar with the details of the event. All they are given
is the location and date. This implies that the Championships rely heavily on
repeat business.
The image suggests that this is not a
modern or high-tech event. There is no suggestion of any computer component or
online aspect. The absence of colour implies that this is not a ‘flashy’ event.
I imagine it would be quite slow-paced.
(b)
I do not think that this advertisement is
effective in promoting the National Ploughing Championships. While the ad is
very clever, and the image is quite memorable, I don’t think that new customers
would be enticed to attend.
In the first instance, the ad only targets
those people who would be attending the Championships anyway. I have already
mentioned how the ad focuses on elderly male farmers. This is quite a small
number of people. It would be a much more effective ad if it targeted women and
younger people as well. In order to do this, it should have a more inclusive
image, possibly in full colour.
Secondly, the ad gives almost no
information about what an attendee could expect at the show. The text at the
bottom briefly mentions ‘Machinery and Livestock Exhibition’ but gives no
further detail. Anyone who had not already attended would have no real idea of
the wide range of attractions that would be on offer, from food markets to
fashion shows. This is a significant missed opportunity to attract a new
customer base.
As a result of this ad, the Championships
are unlikely to gain new visitors. This can have serious consequences for
revenue generated by the exhibitors, who would probably be very annoyed by the
ad.
2006 Media Studies (Ploughing
Championship)
1
(a)
I think the picture communicates a very
specific idea of the National Ploughing Championships. The picture is an extreme
close up of an elderly farmer’s forehead. His forehead is furrowed, like a
ploughed field. His bushy eyebrows suggest hay bales, and his farmer’s cap acts
like a border ditch to the field. The image is a sepia-toned photograph, which
makes it seem very old.
All of this suggests that the Championships
are aimed at elderly rural men, probably farmers. The event is portrayed as a
traditional, old-fashioned event. There is no information given about the types
of competitions or attractions at the Championships. The target audience is
expected to be very familiar with the details of the event. All they are given
is the location and date. This implies that the Championships rely heavily on
repeat business.
The image suggests that this is not a
modern or high-tech event. There is no suggestion of any computer component or
online aspect. The absence of colour implies that this is not a ‘flashy’ event.
I imagine it would be quite slow-paced.
(b)
I do not think that this advertisement is
effective in promoting the National Ploughing Championships. While the ad is
very clever, and the image is quite memorable, I don’t think that new customers
would be enticed to attend.
In the first instance, the ad only targets
those people who would be attending the Championships anyway. I have already
mentioned how the ad focuses on elderly male farmers. This is quite a small
number of people. It would be a much more effective ad if it targeted women and
younger people as well. In order to do this, it should have a more inclusive
image, possibly in full colour.
Secondly, the ad gives almost no
information about what an attendee could expect at the show. The text at the
bottom briefly mentions ‘Machinery and Livestock Exhibition’ but gives no
further detail. Anyone who had not already attended would have no real idea of
the wide range of attractions that would be on offer, from food markets to
fashion shows. This is a significant missed opportunity to attract a new
customer base.
As a result of this ad, the Championships
are unlikely to gain new visitors. This can have serious consequences for
revenue generated by the exhibitors, who would probably be very annoyed by the
ad.