Marketing Commercial Project

Persuasive Advertising

Ideas for discussion within your groups: Talk about the commercials they have seen; How do the toothpastes look or taste differently from one another? How did the commercials present the toothpastes to the audience? What did the commercials say or do to get people to buy the toothpaste they advertised? What key words or slogans might those ads have included?

Consider the following questions as you create your toothpastes:

  • What age group did you market your new toothpaste product to?
  • What is special or unique about your new toothpaste product?
  • How will your toothpaste tube and packaging look? What will make it stand out from all the other toothpastes in the toothpaste section?
  • What slogan will you use to "grab" consumers so they will buy your toothpaste?
  • How will you include information in your ads about the health benefits your toothpaste offers?

Brainstorm ideas in response to those questions. The partners might decide who would be better at creating the packaging and who would be better at writing the script for the TV commercial that will sell their toothpaste. Using ideas they brainstormed, the "artist" will work up a pencil draft of the package while the "writer" works up a script for a TV commercial. The artist might draft his or her package on the A Toothpaste That Is Sure to Sell! work sheet.

When students have drafted their initial ideas, they will share those drafts with one another, gather feedback, and then go to work creating a final package and script.

Assessment

Examples of questions to ask yourself to ensure your commercial is effective

  • Was the product special or unique in any way?
    1. It was exceptionally unique. 2. It had some unique features. 3. It was not very unique.
  • Will the toothpaste packaging stand out next to all the other toothpastes on the store shelf?
    1. It will really stand out from the others. 2. It might stand out. 3. It will not really stand out.
  • Does the new toothpaste have a catchy slogan?
    1. Its slogan is very catchy. 2. Its slogan is good. 3. Its slogan will probably not sell many tubes of the toothpaste.
  • Did the commercial include any mentions of health benefits?
    1. It included good information about health benefits. 2. It included a little information about health benefits. 3. It included no mention of health benefits.