How Companies use Environmentalism to their Advantage

Environmentalism is such an important aspect to everyone now a day's. Lately, it seems as though every company has "gone green" somehow. For instance, uncertainty in the middle east and natural disasters here in America, have driven gas prices up. This has affected many of the company's that make "gas-guzzling" SUV's. Many consumers are looking for cars with over 40 mpg and hybrids that are even more "green." I believe for a company to say that they are "going green" is just a way for them to attract more customers who feel better about themselves if they purchase something that is "supposedly" better for the environment. Many companies can advertise a product as great for the environment or that it does something special or safer than another product, but the truth is most consumers don't research whether what these companies are saying is true or not. Environmentalism is pretty simple for most companies to practice and achieve because they can simply cut down on certain things and be able to advertise even more about how they are helping the environment. We don't know the truth about what these companies are actually doing we only know what we see and hear through the media.

So are these companies actually "going green"? Have you ever bought a product that you believed was environmentally friendly to find out it wasn't much safer than any other product? Do you think companies are using environmentalism to there advantage as a free way of advertising?

Response to Michelle's Post

This is in response to Michelle Corf's post, Marketing, Advertising, and Propaganda. I believe Michelle made a good point by using the example of cell phones for a difference between marketing and advertising. I agree that a good way to define the difference between marketing and advertising is to distinguish a person's needs from there wants. In response to her question about propaganda and the war on terror, Should people be influenced by propaganda such as this even if they believe differently? I think that people will always be influeced by the propaganda and the war no matter which side they are on. I think that unless you are there fighting in the actual war, then you can't really have too many thoughts because so many of the images in the media are distorted and exagerated so that we will believe what they want us to believe. No matter whether you are for the war or against it, I think the media and propaganda will influence everyone. Since propaganda and media tie togther so well, are they the same? Does proganda have to be through the media?

The Differences Between Marketing, Advertising & Propaganda

Marketing, Advertising & Propaganda may seem very similar but if you look past the idea of a company just trying to get a product or service out to people, then you will see they are very different from one another.

Marketing is more about satisfying customers wants and needs and trying to improve products for customers. Marketing involves stimulating a demand, while advertising is more involved in convincing customers to buy a product or service. Marketing and advertising have more similarities with each other than propaganda. Propaganda is a form of communication aimed at influencing the attitude of a community at some cause or position.

I believe that the "war on terror" is a form of propaganda. Through the media they influenced people on what position to take. No matter which side of the war you are on, there will always be propaganda misleading people with distorted ideas and exagerations. Peoples views can be altered so quickly just by the influence of media and propaganda. I don't believe the "war on terror" is in anyway marketing because it is not satisfying everyones ideas and demands.

Is the war on terror a form of advertising? Do businesses use the war to there advantage? If so, how?