Blog Post #1

 In the above print advertisement for McDonalds there are many signifiers.  These include the red background, the french fries creating a WiFi symbol, and the McDonalds golden arches in the bottom right corner. This simple advertisement reveals insight into the values of the targeted consumer. The red backdrop, obviously McDonalds signature color, contrasts nicely with the golden french fries, giving consumers the well known McDonalds logo feel but adding fries in the middle, instead of the normal golden arches, gives the consumer something new, something to double-take on. Fast food is normally considered just that, fast; it is a run in and run out idea or simply drive through a few quick checkpoints to get your food. In this advertisement, McDonalds is signifying their free WiFi, or a place to sit and use the internet. The marketers behind this campaign attempt to redefine the idea of McDonalds being fast food with the encouraging idea that they now provide a free hotspot. Advertisers are combining french fries, a fried delicacy for McDonalds, and transforming it positively into something that anyone would want, WiFi. This not only widens their target audience but also gives McDonalds leverage above other fast food restaurants in the sense that they are keeping up with the trends of our time. This advertisement depends on people in our world today having electronics with internet capability and continuously wanting to use them, especially for free. However, if the consumer doesn’t care about electronics or having free internet while they’re eating, then this ad still represents McDonalds and their well-known food with the loved logo at the bottom corner (also wittily stating underneath “loves free wi-fi”) and, if taken simpler than its meaning, a picture of french fries; this could strongly appeal to the consumers stomach as well as their mind. The interpretation is dependent upon the norms of our society and by developing McDonalds-related signifiers with it, marketers have the opportunity to appeal to consumers of all types, and not just their regular foodies.