Travis Crowe's Blog

It is prudent to suggest that if you are an avid hockey fan or even just someone who turns the tele on during the playoffs to support your team, you have probably seen the NHL commercials, “History Will be Made.” The campaign was started last year as a way to not only promote the playoffs but also to praise the unforgettable moments that the stars of the NHL has given us. The effectiveness of the advertisements comes from the push/pull factor that the NHL implements. With reference to fellow class mate, Salim Visram’s Blog, he  discusses the idea that the “pull” factor is effective because, when one watches one of the advertisements they can connect, relate, and feel the pressure of what the advertisement is really trying to persuade or remind you of. For a more specific example, here is the same commercial that Salim posted.

However, after watching the advertisement, I would suggest that there is also a certain degree of “push” factor implemented. With reference to the title “Wish,” and the concept of the advertisement, there is speculation that the NHL is pushing the younger target audience. It would be nice to think that they are simply trying to promote a message that when your at that age if you wish for something and put in the hardwork, dreams can come true. Unfortunately, reality reminds us that no one has that good of intentions, at least not for the amount of money that these advertisements cost. A more identifiable but not necessarily obvious way to interpret the “push” aspect of this advertisement is that the NHL is in fact trying to target the younger audience while exploiting things like geographic or demographic (Canadian kid growing up and playing hockey). Could these ads lead to a potential increase in players in minor hockey leagues around the world?