"My network has gone kaput!"

Over the past couple of weeks, I have seen this ad multiple times on both my cell phone and T.V.

Who created this message?

This message was created by Verizon which is an American wireless network operator. With 142.8 million subscribers, Verizon is the largest wireless carrier in the Unites States.

What creative techniques are used to attract my attention?

The Verizon ads use well-known actors to attract your attention. This particular commercial uses actors Paul Giamatti (from various movies and T.V. shows) and Cecily Strong (from Saturday Night Live). I have also seen other versions of this ad featuring Julian Edelman (NFL player) and Adam Scott (T.V. and movie actor).

How might different people interpret this message differently than me?

Some might think this ad portrays men as unintelligent because the Einstein character says, "I got what I paid for. Not so smart." Also, when he decides he wants to switch to Verizon, he runs to the store instead of taking the bicycle which would be a faster method.

I wonder about the accent used by the Einstein character. Would people of the German culture find it funny or authentic? Does the character really make them want to change their service provider?

What viewpoints or world views are included or left out of this message?

The more global viewpoints are missing from this ad as it is definitely targeted to an American audience because Verizon is not a global carrier.

Why is this message being sent?

The message being sent by the Verizon ads is that their wireless carrier service is the smart choice. These ads target anyone with a mobile device by enticing them with deals to switch carriers if they do not currently have Verizon or if they are already a customer, they try to get current customers to add lines of service with Verizon.

I know for me personally I will sometimes mute ads when the same ones are played every commercial break, so I wonder about the effectiveness of ads like this one because of how many times it is played. Do people get tired of seeing the same thing over and over?