Cultural Studies

Chicago undergrads are an attractive demographic for many national advertisers. Here are some recent marketing campaigns sharing space with ads for symposia, summer study programs, and restaurants in the Maroon and Chicago Weekly News.

Something to talk about
"You get it in the door, we'll keep it out of your mouth." The "it" in question is a job-seeker's foot. A full-page advertisement for Business.com offers U of C students bound for the workaday world "relevant, in-depth information about the companies you want to work for." So, the ad continues, "you'll have something to talk about. And a few things not to."

A different kind of donation
"As an egg donor," says ConceiveAbilities founder Nazca Fontes, pictured in a two-by-three-inch ad, "we can compensate you, but never repay you." The company promises U of C women willing to share their reproductive legacies $5,000 and "a couple's undying gratitude."

Mechanics of change
"Phil made it his business to change the way we do business," says Ford Motor Company in a back-page ad for summer interns. "Phil" is a clean-cut young man with an eager smile and an official photo badge hanging from his belt. Ford promises Chicago interns the opportunity to follow in Phil's footsteps and "implement programs" that could "fundamentally" change "every aspect of everything" Ford does.

Suited for the real world?
"From the knot in his tie to the polish of his shoe, the BOSS Hugo Boss man distinguishes himself from every other." The clothier offers the discriminating College man help in choosing the most flattering cut, color, and accessories so that, when he leaves a job interview, he'll also "leave an impression".

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