Question

Students choose ONE advertisement (online, print, or teacher-provided).

They must identify:

Target age range (of whatever advertisement is chosen)

Gender (if applicable)

Income level (What income would it take to get said product)

Lifestyle or interests (What type of lifestyle is needed for what is being advertised. Or how does it relate to people's interest)

Buying behavior (impulse, planned, brand loyal)

Critical Thinking Question:

“How would this ad change if it targeted a completely different audience?”

Students rewrite one element of the ad (headline, image, slogan).

Deliverable:
Target market analysis sheet + rewritten ad element

Answer 1

Below are (A) a ready-to-use Target Market Analysis Sheet you can print or copy into a document, (B) a short example filled in for a Nike running-shoe ad, and (C) instructions for the rewritten ad element and what to submit.

A — Target Market Analysis Sheet (fill one sheet per ad)

Basic ad info
- Ad title / product:
- Source / medium (website, magazine, TV, teacher-provided):
- URL or page reference (if online/print):
- Date or campaign name:
- Short description of ad visuals and copy (1–2 sentences):

Target audience (be specific)
- Target age range:
- Gender (if applicable):
- Income level (estimated; explain how you estimated it):
- Education / occupation (if suggested by ad):
- Geographic focus (local, national, global; urban/suburban/rural):

Psychographics / lifestyle
- Interests / hobbies (fitness, tech, parenting, fashion, etc.):
- Values / attitudes (status, health, convenience, sustainability, etc.):
- Typical daily life or routines that make this product useful:

Buying behavior
- Type of purchase (impulse, planned, considered, subscription):
- Brand behavior (brand loyal, price sensitive, trend follower, quality seeker):
- Likely decision-makers (self, parent, partner, influencer/community):

Why the ad targets this market (evidence)
- List 3 elements in the ad that point to the target market (images, colors, language, pricing, models, channels, endorsements):

Barriers & motivators
- What might stop this audience from buying (price, complexity, fit, social image)?
- What motivates them to buy (status, performance, health, saving time)?

Critical Thinking Question
- “How would this ad change if it targeted a completely different audience?” (Write 150–250 words.)
- Which audience are you imagining instead?
- How would you change: imagery, headline/slogan, copy tone, color scheme, price/packaging, channels, endorsements?

Rewrite one element
- Which element you are rewriting (headline, image description, slogan, CTA)?:
- Original element (quote it):
- Your rewritten element (exact wording or image direction):
- Short rationale (1–2 sentences: why this fits the new/target audience):

Deliverable checklist
- Completed Target Market Analysis Sheet (above)
- Link or scanned copy of the ad
- Critical Thinking written response (150–250 words)
- Rewritten ad element with rationale

B — Example (Nike running shoe ad)

Basic ad info
- Ad title / product: Nike Air Zoom running shoe
- Source / medium: Online hero banner (sports website)
- URL: (example)
- Description: Photo of a 25–30-year-old runner sprinting on an urban trail, bold “Just Do It” logo, short copy about speed and performance.

Target audience
- Age range: 18–35
- Gender: All genders (ad skewed slightly male by model)
- Income level: Middle income (approx. $30k–$80k/year) — affordable performance shoe, not luxury
- Education/occupation: Students, young professionals, active urban workers
- Geographic focus: Urban/suburban

Psychographics / lifestyle
- Interests: Running, fitness classes, social sport events, athleisure fashion
- Values: Health/fitness, personal achievement, trend-conscious
- Typical routines: Morning/evening runs, gym classes, weekend races

Buying behavior
- Purchase type: Planned (research/try-on) with occasional impulse for limited releases
- Brand behavior: Brand-loyal (Nike fans), trend followers for new models
- Decision-makers: Self

Why ad targets this market (evidence)
- Young adult runner as model; emphasis on speed/performance; “Just Do It” motivational tone; placement on sports/fitness sites; images of urban trail appeal to city runners.

Barriers & motivators
- Barriers: Price relative to budget, shoe fit/comfort, loyalty to another brand
- Motivators: Improved performance, style, social media/peer influence, new technology claims

Critical Thinking: How this ad would change for a different audience (example answer)
If the audience were changed to adults 55+ who want comfortable, low-impact walking shoes, the ad would shift from performance to comfort and joint care. Imagery would show an older adult walking with family or on a scenic path, wearing comfortable clothes rather than sprinting gear. The headline would focus on comfort and long-term health (“Support Every Step”) instead of speed. Copy would highlight cushioning, stability, and doctor-recommended features, and might include a short testimonial from a peer or physiotherapist. Color palette would be softer and copy tone reassuring rather than high-energy. Channels would move toward daytime TV, health magazines, and Facebook rather than youth-oriented social apps. Price messaging might emphasize value and durability, with trials or return guarantees to reduce purchase hesitation.

Rewrite one element
- Rewritten element: New headline for the 55+ audience
- Original headline: “Run Faster. Push Harder.”
- New headline: “Comfort That Keeps You Moving”
- Rationale: Emphasizes durability and ease of movement, addressing priorities of older walkers who value joint support and day-long comfort.

C — How to submit
- Fill the sheet for your chosen ad.
- Include the ad image or link.
- Write the 150–250 word critical-thinking paragraph.
- Provide your rewritten element and one-sentence rationale.
- Submit as a single PDF or Word file.

If you want, tell me which ad you picked and I’ll help you fill the sheet or rewrite a headline or image direction.