Wells Fargo Learning Sign Language Analysis

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In the t.v. genre, commercials are created with the intended purpose of grabbing the audience’s attention and drawing focus to the product being advertised. Commercials can attract a person’s attention with a plethora of devices such as a catchy jingle, flashy pictures, and an upbeat intro with a memorable slogan ( i.e. “Shamwow!”).
In Wells Fargo’s “Learning Sign Language” a lesbian couple is seen practicing sign-language, incorporating into their daily routines. The commercial wraps up with the couple being introduced to a young girl for the first time, and it turns out the young girl is being adopted by the women and she is deaf, validating why the moms-to-be were shown learning ASL. Hearts everywhere are melted when the women and the young
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Also, o=instead of just merely discussing the importance of inclusiveness in regards to the success of a 21st century business, Stumpf and the Wells Fargo company took the initiative of making this commercial to show that Wells Fargo truly does care its customers no matter where they come from. (The Wells Fargo team also released this ad just one month before the Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage to be legal in all 50 states). The ad effectively displays a lesbian couple as perfectly average, everyday pair; making them seem like nothing less than normal. However, it is important to note that the true focus of the ad was not the couple being gay, but the focus was on the couple and the adopted child uniting together as one happy family. The underlying message of the commercial ultimately rejects the outdated concept that same-sex marriage is “unnatural” nor should same-sex couples be allowed to adopt foster children. People working behind the scenes of the commercial knew that by using rhetorical device of propaganda (i.e. the concept of same-sex adoption being a new normalcy), that it would cause controversy. (Especially those among the older generation).Alas, the commercial editors also knew that such a commerical would undoubtedly lead to a discussion about gay couples and their right to adopt children. Such a conversation could lead supporters of same-sex marriage to continue their foght for LGBTQ

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