Megan and Sundance, so Pretty Together!

Who created this message?

Hasbro created this message to market its product.  I read that the original creator always wanted a pony as a child, so she made a small version marketed to little girls that they could enjoy and collect.  

What creative techniques are used to attract my attention?

There were several techniques used to attract my attention.  It was interesting that the commercial started out as illustrated and then transformed into real life.  There was a My Little Pony animated series that made a short run in the 80’s.  The implication being that you can have the magic of the cartoon in real life when you purchase the toys.  Also, the jingle was catchy enough to stick in my head for over 30 years.  

What viewpoints or world views are included or left out of this message and how might different people interpret this message differently than me?

The scope of this commercial is very narrow.  It is clearly targeted at little girls in white, middle-class homes, although the product itself had the potential to reach a wider audience.  It did appeal to me, mostly because I could largely identify with it.  The blond, blue eyed girl is the very stereotypical 80’s idea of a heroine.  However, the picture painted did not include people of other races or sexes.  The idea of bright colored ponies can speak to all races and genders, even if they were not marketed that way in the beginning.  Being that My Little Ponies are still so popular, it seems that it has spoken to a wider audience in some way or it would have faded away into toy nostalgia.  

Why is this message being sent?

I think the main message being sent is that it is possible to share in the magic of the My Little Pony world by owning these toys.  It is being sent to entice children into owning and, more importantly, collecting the ponies.  The variability of the toys creates a game, almost, in which there is always something new and better to collect.