Jogging Your Thoughts

1. I thought the ad was a little extreme, considering it was trying to get readers to believe that if they don't run (which really means if they don't buy the shoes) then crimes will go unsolved. Not true.

2. I, personally, am not a runner - not even a jogger. I think that particular sport is boring and presents no challenge (such as, get the soccer ball into the goal, etc). However, whether or not I run or jog or don't do either doesn't affect my reactions to the ad.

3. The ad seems to have a really rugged feel to it; from the slate-grey colors of the pages to the style of text they used, the whole thing feels very primal and barbaric - which, I think, was the whole point.

4. Jogging is discouraged and running is promoted.

5. I think the ad targets joggers, runners, and even couch potatoes. From a marketing standpoint, I can see excellent advantages in segregating the 'runners' from the 'joggers'. The ad makes the 'runners' feel entitled to the shoes, as if they've earned them, almost. The 'runners' seem worthy of wearing the shoes. On the other hand, it makes 'joggers' want to strive to become as good as the 'runners' - which, obviously, buying the shoes would help them achieve.

5. This ad definitely appeals to Pathos because it is bringing in certian emotional elements. On one page the ad reads, "Precious few are lucky enough to feel what it means to run." This makes the viewer want to become a runner, makes them develop an intense yearning to 'feel what it means to run'.
I would even go further and say the ad touches on instinctive elements, as well. It pushes us to believe that a 'runner' is naturally inside all of us...buying the shoes will help bring out the 'runner' within.

6. Although I - and other practical human beings - would probably buy the Reeboks simply because they are cheaper, I am still going to say that Pearl Izumi's ad is more effective in marketing its product.
Nonetheless, when it comes to a magazine, I would rather see a Reebok ad reassuring me that 'I am who I am' and not a Pearl Izumi ad screaming, "If you're not sure whether you're running or jogging, go faster!" That would make me a little uneasy...