Ancillary Task 1 Billboard

Defined as a large outdoor board for displaying advertisements; a hoarding.

After researching a variety of different billboards, the main conventions are;

- A title usually the name of the product or business - A main image of the product or something that

relates to it.- The colour scheme tends to be recognisable from the

company or object, like a brand logo or colour scheme.

- Sometimes text or a brief sentence that explains the product.

- A recognisable font that is easy to read.

The title displays the name of the product to make the audience aware of the brand and what product is being advertised. The ‘Google’ is also in the blue, red, yellow and green colours, promoting the colour scheme of Google and increasing their brand awareness.

Main image is part of the Google Chrome logo, anchorage of brand name and logo.

The font uses on this billboard is a sans serif type font, suitable for billboards as its large and clear, so that most of the passing audience in cars or walking will be able to see it from a far distance.

The text – ‘made for everyone’ suggests a personal relationship (uses and gratifications theory) whereby Google is connecting with their audience and appealing to a wide range. This could mean the customers feel valued by google and therefore more inclined to buy the product. ‘Fast and new’ suggests a new and exciting product which will engage the audiences attention.

The title is in the top right hand corner, an unusual convention as this is usually the biggest part of a billboard. The text describes the product shown on the main image. The apple logo – anchorage of the brands name and logo, making it instantly recognisable.

The main image takes up the majority of the billboard, it’s a simple image showing the features of the product making the audience aware of what the product is and what they could possibly be buying.

The colour scheme is related to the iPhone 5c, and the background is almost exact to the colour of the phone. This colour is bright and vibrant and will stand out to the audience and capture their attention.

The title is in the top left hand corner in simple sans serif font to enable to passing audience to see it clearly.

The main image takes up the right side of the billboard and is of 2 girls.

Uses direct mode of address to establish personal relationships (uses and grats).Minimal clothing demonstrates a sexual semiotic code – appealing to a target audience interested in designer clothing.

Text – shows the stores that stock the brand – surveillance theory – gives audience wider knowledge of where to buy it.

Background colour matches main image, regular convention – continuity of colours.

After researching billboards, It was obvious that its main function was addressing the target audience of the brand. The target audience for billboards usually corresponds with the target audience for the brand. For example, The iPhone billboards are usually bright colours that anchor the brand name and logo, to target a younger adult audience who are interested in smart phones. Another example would be the designer labels. They often promote their brand by using images of models to give the audience something to aspire to – often resulting in the purchase of them.

Target Audience