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Diet Coke and the Misrepresentation in the Media

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Diet Coke and the Misrepresentation in the Media
In: Diet Coke-ane, Out: The Coffee Culture

The brand has come a long way from its very first ad in 1983. A drink that is now squarely aimed at women was introduced to the world with an ad starring Bob Hope, an American comedian. As decades went by, companies improved their tactics to hook in consumers, boosting their appearance and reputation among Americans. An analysis of Diet Coke advertisements reveals how companies use such techniques, such as sex, fitness, and fashion, to appeal their products to consumers.
Before babies reached the top level of a celebrity accessory, tabloid magazines captured blonde paparazzi targets holding the Starbucks coffee cup. The green straw erect from the clear cup tagged with an evergreen, mermaid like woman paired well with oversized sunglasses, another trendy staple for young, modern people hoping to achieve allure. It wasn’t a matter of drinking, it was a matter of toting, boasting a person’s image. With a Venti Starbucks in hand, any individual is set to strut down the avenue, feeling fashionable and worthy. This is the image and scene that the Coca-Cola Company is striving to achieve with their product of Diet Coke. Big and bold words on a rather blank paper, only littered by a Diet Coke can, read, “A 12 oz. fashion statement.” A fashion statement can be described as many things, but mainly it is an item that expresses attitude, views, and the lifestyle of whoever is carting this item around. Many consider what we call a “fashion statement” to be something trendy and hip, something exclusively picked out by the top read magazines or mainstream reality stars like the Kardashians’. Having a Diet Coke is like hauling around an expensive cup of Starbucks coffee. It is a status symbol, something that people are able to recognize. This is what large companies want. Generally these companies target women who live for mainstream ideas and follow the latest trends and it is these women who are inclined to be walking down the

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