Activity Overview
The beauty industry spends a lot of money producing and advertising their products. They make sure every aspect of how they sell their product is thoughtful and purposeful. They do this by using several different techniques that may not be so obvious to the consumer. When students are bombarded with these carefully constructed media messages, they are defenseless to read between the lines. After introducing the different strategies used in the media, have the students create three different scenes that use two different strategies in each.
Presentation of a Problem
This technique is the beauty industry's bread and butter. They will mention a social norm that most people experience, state it as an issue, and state their product will help. Making the consumer feel poorly about themselves is the objective of these companies. The next step is for the consumers to correct the problem: buying their product. We feel better when are correcting a problem, even when there was never a problem in the first place.
Approval
Advertisements may have several teens using the product to show that this is what other people buy and you should too.
“everyone has this”, “kid approved”, “you’re missing out”
Celebrities to Advertise
Companies may use influential people to sell a product. Consumers may already resonate and trust what these individuals say or do. This gains easy customers for companies.
"Photoshopping"
"Photoshopping" is when individual pictures are edited to emulate a unobtainable body frame to sell a product. The beauty industry is a main perpetrator of this tactic to sell the message, "our product will help you look like this".
Time-Sensitive Deals
Even if you will not use two or never intended to buy more, companies are trying to make an exclusive offer to you with minimal loss for them.
“buy now and get the second half off”
Repetition
The ad states or shows information or messages again and again that you’ll replay in your mind.
Charm
Companies may use cartoons or animals to represent them and this makes the consumer relate to a living thing and not just a business. We are more prone to purchase something if we can empathize with it.
Example: Tony the Tiger
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of media strategies by creating your own ads!
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Create three advertisements for imaginary products.
- Choose two or more strategies discussed in class to be depicted in each of your cells.
- Use school appropriate scenes, content, and text to convey those strategies.
- In the description box, explain which strategies this ad uses and how they are used.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depiction of Strategies | All three cells used exemplary school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey two different examples of media strategies in each cell. | One or two cells used exemplary school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey two different examples of media strategies in each cell. | Less than three cells used school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey only one or no examples of media strategies in each cell. |
| Content | The description effectively explains the two different examples of media strategies depicted in each cell. | The description written adequately explains the two different examples of media strategies depicted in each cell. | The description written does not explain two different examples of media strategies depicted in each cell. |
| Use of Conventions | There are few to no grammar or spelling mistakes. | There are some grammar or spelling mistakes, but understanding of strategies is clear. | There are too many grammar or spelling mistakes, creating an unclear understanding of content. |
Activity Overview
The beauty industry spends a lot of money producing and advertising their products. They make sure every aspect of how they sell their product is thoughtful and purposeful. They do this by using several different techniques that may not be so obvious to the consumer. When students are bombarded with these carefully constructed media messages, they are defenseless to read between the lines. After introducing the different strategies used in the media, have the students create three different scenes that use two different strategies in each.
Presentation of a Problem
This technique is the beauty industry's bread and butter. They will mention a social norm that most people experience, state it as an issue, and state their product will help. Making the consumer feel poorly about themselves is the objective of these companies. The next step is for the consumers to correct the problem: buying their product. We feel better when are correcting a problem, even when there was never a problem in the first place.
Approval
Advertisements may have several teens using the product to show that this is what other people buy and you should too.
“everyone has this”, “kid approved”, “you’re missing out”
Celebrities to Advertise
Companies may use influential people to sell a product. Consumers may already resonate and trust what these individuals say or do. This gains easy customers for companies.
"Photoshopping"
"Photoshopping" is when individual pictures are edited to emulate a unobtainable body frame to sell a product. The beauty industry is a main perpetrator of this tactic to sell the message, "our product will help you look like this".
Time-Sensitive Deals
Even if you will not use two or never intended to buy more, companies are trying to make an exclusive offer to you with minimal loss for them.
“buy now and get the second half off”
Repetition
The ad states or shows information or messages again and again that you’ll replay in your mind.
Charm
Companies may use cartoons or animals to represent them and this makes the consumer relate to a living thing and not just a business. We are more prone to purchase something if we can empathize with it.
Example: Tony the Tiger
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Demonstrate your understanding of media strategies by creating your own ads!
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Create three advertisements for imaginary products.
- Choose two or more strategies discussed in class to be depicted in each of your cells.
- Use school appropriate scenes, content, and text to convey those strategies.
- In the description box, explain which strategies this ad uses and how they are used.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depiction of Strategies | All three cells used exemplary school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey two different examples of media strategies in each cell. | One or two cells used exemplary school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey two different examples of media strategies in each cell. | Less than three cells used school appropriate scenes, characters, and text to convey only one or no examples of media strategies in each cell. |
| Content | The description effectively explains the two different examples of media strategies depicted in each cell. | The description written adequately explains the two different examples of media strategies depicted in each cell. | The description written does not explain two different examples of media strategies depicted in each cell. |
| Use of Conventions | There are few to no grammar or spelling mistakes. | There are some grammar or spelling mistakes, but understanding of strategies is clear. | There are too many grammar or spelling mistakes, creating an unclear understanding of content. |
How Tos about Media Strategies Used to Target Us
Organize a classroom discussion on recognizing media strategies
Lead a guided conversation where students share ads they've seen and identify the strategies used. This helps students apply critical thinking to real-world examples and builds awareness.
Create a classroom 'media strategy' anchor chart
Collaborate with students to list media strategies on a chart displayed in your room. Refer back to this chart during future lessons to reinforce learning and encourage ongoing analysis.
Assign students to analyze real ads for hidden techniques
Challenge students to bring in or find ads (magazines, online, TV) and identify which strategies are present. This deepens understanding and makes learning relevant.
Guide students to create their own media messages using selected strategies
Encourage students to design simple ads using at least two media strategies. Let them explain their choices in small groups, building creativity and analytical skills.
Reflect as a class on how media strategies influence choices
Facilitate a reflection session where students discuss how these strategies might affect their own buying decisions. Help students realize the power of media and become more informed consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Media Strategies Used to Target Us
What are common media strategies used by the beauty industry to influence teens?
Common media strategies used by the beauty industry include presenting problems to create insecurities, using celebrity endorsements, editing images with photoshopping, promoting time-sensitive deals, repeating messages, seeking peer approval, and using charming mascots or animals to make ads relatable.
How can students identify hidden messages in beauty advertisements?
Students can identify hidden messages by looking for tactics such as exaggerated problems, unrealistic images, repeated slogans, endorsements by celebrities, or phrases like “everyone has this.” Recognizing these helps uncover the true intent behind ads.
Why does the beauty industry use photoshopping in ads?
The beauty industry uses photoshopping to create unattainable beauty standards. This makes consumers believe their products are necessary to achieve these looks, even if they are not realistic or healthy.
What is the purpose of presenting a problem in advertising?
Presenting a problem in ads is designed to make consumers feel insecure or dissatisfied so they believe buying the product will solve their issue, even if that problem was created by the advertisement itself.
How can teachers create lesson activities to help students understand media strategies?
Teachers can assign students to create their own ads using at least two media strategies. By explaining and demonstrating these tactics, students learn to recognize persuasive techniques and become more critical consumers.
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