Date of Award
2015-01-01
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Communication
Advisor(s)
Stacey K. Sowards
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Advertising is a frequently used influential and persuasive means of communication, such as Kay Jewelers, a corporation whose advertising methods have been superficially appealing to a female audience. However, this study sought to investigate the ideological underpinnings associated with Kay Jewelers advertisements, employing an ideological criticism to argue through feminist theory that Kay Jewelers utilizes key elements of heteronormative love as a means to persuade and influence men to purchase their jewelry products. Through this underpinning of heteronormative romance, Kay Jewelers emphasizes the notion that an artifact, like a piece of jewelry, is necessary in order to properly express true feelings and communicate the message effectively to a heterosexual partner. This in turn, hyper-ritualizes the act of gift giving and appeals to a masculine population using feminine appeals, creating a unique discourse of masculinity. Moreover, Kay Jewelers advertisements also reinforce the construction of nuclear families, perpetuating normative family types and structures.
Keywords: Kay Jewelers, heteronormative romance, hyper-ritualization, masculinity, nuclear family, ideological criticism, feminist theory
Language
en
Provenance
Received from ProQuest
Copyright Date
2015
File Size
94 pages
File Format
application/pdf
Rights Holder
Chelsea Nedlyn Hill
Recommended Citation
Hill, Chelsea Nedlyn, "Beneath the Kiss: Unearthing the Ideological Underpinnings of Kay Jewelers Advertisements" (2015). Open Access Theses & Dissertations. 1066.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/open_etd/1066
Included in
Advertising and Promotion Management Commons, Marketing Commons, Mass Communication Commons