While in London over spring break, I spotted an ad on the Underground system for making smart investments. The ad uses allusion to convince people to join an investment management company.
In the center of the ad, there is a quote from Variety Magazine, "Rock'n'roll will be gone by June." This quote, expressing an unusual sentiment, is from 1995. Readers are expected to be confused by this statement, as rock'n'roll is clearly still a lively genre. Following this example, the ad urges its viewers, "Do you put up with the status quo or are you looking for a better way to invest?" The company is using an allusion to a common genre to first draw readers' interests and then to exemplify the dangers of resisting change. It is implied that, if readers do not join this investment company, they too will be lost in the many changes coming in the near future.
Although this ad may use a logical fallacy (perhaps a false analogy), it is nevertheless attention-grabbing and effective at maintaining viewers' interests. Especially in an ad for a subway, space and both attention is limited. The puzzling and large quote convinces readers to pay attention to the company's message. Overall, the ad piques viewers' interests well and achieves its purpose fairly effectively.
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