Seeing these two artifacts from a surface level view, many people would not be able to find many, if any, similarities they share. One was produced by a razor company, while the other released by a sports apparel brand. One is in the format of the video, while the other is a single image with text written on it. So what may the two artifacts actually have in common?

Both of these two important advertisements that have made noise within the media within the past few years have been seen as controversial, and to some, just offensive. While the two both poke at and address generational issues through their message, the topics are both very polarized, with strong opinions on each side. As the Gillette ad was released, the company faced backlash for the company supposedly targeting and not supporting men as a whole. This of course was not the intended message of the video, yet a part of the audience perceived it in that way. The Nike ad also faced a tremendous amount of controversy with its inclusion of Colin Kaepernick. The ad was claimed by members of the audience to be unpatriotic and disrespectful to the country and what it stands for, claims associated with Kaepernick.

The two artifacts I chose are also similar in their appeal to the audience. They both use a strong sense of pathos and encourage their audience to have a strong and personal connection with what they are viewing. Aside from the pathos of the two different advertisements, the kairos of their release also greatly influenced their popularity. Both of these pieces were released at a time in which the issues they are addressing are both extremely relevant, but seen as sensitive as well. With the Gillette ad, bullying and sexual harassment cases are more prominent now than they ever have been, and are being more vocalized. The same thing with the Nike ad, as Kaepernicks famous kneel during the national anthem was still circulating the media everyday.

“Gillette-Logo.” MMR: Mass Market Retailers, www.massmarketretailers.com/gillette-debuts-heated-razor/gillette-logo/.

“Nike. Just Do It.” Nike.com, www.nike.com/.