Advertisement for Blood Donation by Red Cross

According to www.redcrossblood.org more than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day. The Red Cross blood program started in 1914. Blood is in high demand around the world today to keep citizens well and healthy. In 2001, it was calculated that there was 14 million total blood transfusions during that year. Even though there were a large number of transfusions, there were many people that lost their life because there was not enough blood to go around. A poster advertisement was published in Australia of a moneybox, filled half way with blood, which stated “Money isn’t everything, save up to 3 lives without spending a cent.” This advertisement was published in order to increase the number of donors, in order to save more lives. The advertisement is a great at catching reader attention because the text draws the reader in, the writer is personally connected, and the reader is put into consideration when this argument was published.

This visual advertisement was published in Australia. It was made into many posters and placed all over Australian Universities. This image is of a transparent box filled with blood. A sign is attached to the back of the box. The sign is white with plain black font. A Red Cross symbol and the words “Blood Service” is surrounded by a blue box are the only colors on the sign. The sign also says “Money Isn’t Everything” very largely at the top of the sign. Below, in smaller font it says “Save up to three lives without spending a cent. Call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au”. Under that statement is the Red Cross name and logo followed by “It takes someone special to give blood.” written in smaller font. The image is mainly focused on the colors red and white. The background of the image is blurred forcing the attention on the box, making the message even more powerful. This image is a public affair advocacy argument because they are trying to persuade the reader to help this foundation. Along with many others in the public affair advocacy argument genre, this encourages the reader to take an action while also informing the reader about a new way of thinking. This picture has bright colors, with bold words, a shocking picture and a blurred background that catches attention whish are characteristic of this genre. This is a good example of this genre because it is trying to guilt the reader to take action and give blood.

Dave King, who is an executive creative director, created this image. The Australian Red Cross, to convince more people to donate blood, published it. It was mainly published to target young college kids. They targeted these kids because they are motivated and want to help but generally do not have any money to donate or give. This ad first appeared during ‘O’ week targeting students at Australian Universities. Dave King’s topic for this advertisement is the Australian Red Cross. He is personally connected to this topic because he gives blood regularly. Donating Blood is rewarding and free of charge, is the angle of focus for Dave. He made this his focus because many individuals think of helping others as donating money, but this method is completely cost free. Also, it is rewarding because the sign informs people that they can save up to three lives with simply donating their blood. Dave’s purpose is to motivate and persuade readers to donate blood. His purpose is to also in form people how easy, efficient, rewarding, and free the process is. His purpose is achieved very well because the image creates a very emotional connection, making the reader guilty for not partaking in this donating for a helpful cause.

To understand this argument, the reader needs to know about the Red Cross Association, and what is involved with it. The main information they need to know is that the Red Cross is linked with donating blood. Almost everyone should, and does care about the topic because it helps save lives. Interesting new knowledge and viewpoints are presented in this advertisement. It brings about the idea that you can help people without giving money, and it may be a more effective way also. It brings about the idea that you can save three lives in just one donation without spending a dime. In order for this advertisement to have any effect on the reader, they must carry the belief that it is good to help people. They must also be open to the idea of donating their blood, and be able to go through the donation process. The reader is expected to trust the Red Cross Association enough in order to trust their statistics. The reader or the donator does not know where their blood goes after the donation but they trust the Red Cross to get the blood where it needs to go. Overall, this image seems to address people who have some knowledge about the Red Cross, people who believe they should help people in need, and people who are willing to donate their blood, and trust the Red Cross employees to remove the blood safely.

This advertisement does a great job of convincing the reader in many different ways to donate blood. Blood is in high demand in the world, and there is not enough blood to save everyone. This advertisement does a great job of making the reader feel guilty, and convincing them to consider donating blood. Also, the writer made his focus on young adults, because he knew they do not have much money and that it would be more beneficial to target them. The advertisement also targets readers that have some type of knowledge about the Red Cross program, and believe that it is good to help people. This advertisement does a great job of trying to increase the number of donations, so that maybe one day we can meet the needed 41,000 blood donations.