Decoding Advertisments

Ideology and Meaning in Advertising

by Judith Williamson

Book cover: Decoding Advertisments

Extent: 180 pages

Publisher: Marion Boyars Publishers

Subjects: Communications, Film, & Media Studies

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(March 1994)

ISBN: 9780714526157

Price: $18.95

In stock

This book sets out not simply to criticize advertisements on the grounds of dishonesty and exploitation, but to examine in detail, through over a hundred illustrations, their undoubted attractiveness and appeal. The overt economic function of this appeal is to make us buy things. Its ideological function, however, is to involve us as ‘individuals’ in perpetuating the ideas which endorse the economic basis of our society. If it is economic conditions which make ideology necessary, it is ideology which makes those conditions seem necessary.

  • By (author) Judith Williamson