Our food is concentrated, frozen, powdered or canned. Despite the quantities of processed foods that we consume, few of us have been inside a food processing factory to see where and how the food is made. Instead of being satisfied with what is really wanted, we are satisfied with what is available. There are many techniques which help advertisers create an illusion of choice or make products sound better than they really are. Ice cream becomes natural vanilla, rich chocolate, strawberry delight , double mango or creamy caramel, creating the illusion of an extra special treat.
Advertising agencies use psychographic profiles to target particular types of consumers.
Advertising campaigns make products appear more significant than they are. A claim that a product is superior in quality may come down to something as simple as the fact than an item, say aspirin, is less breakable or whiter than some other tablets. Many readers will remember the 16 million dollar advertising campaign for Chiquita bananas. A survey one year after the campaign revealed that 49 percent of shoppers preferred Chiquita bananas and would pay a premium for them. Advertisers created an illusion of uniqueness and superiority to sell a humble banana.