Rihanna Tour Advert Analysis

Advert three is a promotional poster that’s using Rihanna as the main focus for a selling technique because everybody can identify her easily. I think that the advert would be found within the majority of female magazines, such as ‘Vogue’. Significantly, the primary colours in this advert are red and pink; we are presented with the alluring smooth complexion of the female subject, and the red feisty appearance of Rihanna’s hair, which is a current iconic image. It is also found on the album covers image on the bottom right of the advert. Comparing the colour scheme of this advert to the colours used on advert 1 where the colours again are still significant, because the shades still illustrates how colour is a signifying element, for instance the use of reds, blues and white, make advert 1 take a cartoon themed effect.



Similarly, the advert use of a typical industrial looking font, a signifier for the advanced western culture we are living in. I think that the spread out letters that spell out ‘Rihanna’ could be seen as a representation of freedom. The ‘twinkling’ effects over Rihanna’s eyes make her look innocent, this adds to the purity of the advert.
Barthes theory would suggest that the semantic meaning of this advert would be to sell an album. He would say we all have a strong relationship with the cultural context of the advert and we all know who Rihanna is, therefore it is the signifiers of the adverts feminine colours, the purity of the female and the artistry of the font that all reinforce to the audience the purpose of the advert and allow the average western audience member to perceive this advert in a way relevant to them, in this case by helping to make the decision to see buy tickets to see Rihanna live on tour.


The advert presents a youthful yet alluring figure; Rihanna is turning around as her back is facing the audience, this could suggest a representation of her inviting the reader to follow her path, in other words buy tickets to see her live. Due to the fact she is making direct eye contact, it’s as if she is personally addressing each individual as they come across the advert. The target audience of this advert is predominantly females who look to Rihanna as a role model; I would expect to see this advert in public locations such as bus stands and inside magazines to reach its desired target audience of females 16 – 30.


The purpose of the advert is to sell tickets to her upcoming tour. The advert contains a variety of signifiers which all give the subject of a seductive status. The advert softly focuses on the photography of Rihanna and the picture itself gives a sense of sensuality and seduction. The advert is very simple, yet still youthful and glamorous. The colours of the advert are presented as a contrast, for example the colours used for the bottom half of the advert are all dark and dull, Rihanna’s hair is the total opposite. This is emphasising the most important part of the advert being Rihanna, the audience would struggle to miss the image whilst they looked at the advert.  


The font size is based upon importance, for example the artists name is in big bold colours, whereas the tiny album promotion in the bottom corner is smaller than any other part of the advert.