Advertising+-+Expenditures+vs.+Ad+Complaints

**Visual Research:**
I began this project with having a certain look to the infograph in mind. However, having the ability to create visually in Flash what I had thought up, was a bit of a challenge. While the end result isn't exactly how I wanted it to turn out, I am amazed at how much I've learned about Flash - and given more time I'm sure I could create something that not only works but also looks half decent.

One of my main inspirations for this piece, was the [|Casualties of War infograph] created for the New York Times. My second bit of inspiration came from the //[|Alchemy of Fruit Juices] // infograph. Another website that I researched: [|International Networks Archive]

**Data Research:**
Finding information on this subject was more difficult than expected. Many companies that compile this type of information usually charge a fee in order to access their databases. Fortunately, with a little help I was able to find some accurate data. Unfortunately, there were years when statistical information was not compiled, which left a few holes in areas where I felt the information could really benefit the project.

My main research came from websites such as: Advertising Standards Canada, Statistics Canada and AC Nielsen.

[|Advertising Standards Canada] puts out an annual report which shows the number of complaints reported in Canada, sorted by media. This information I found to be extremely helpful and easy to access.

[|Statistics Canada] was able to give annual advertising expenditures for only certain years, and I found the years they chose to report information were very random. I found this site to be somewhat disorganized (at least within the subjects I was researching) and not very reliable as it took me to quite a few dead ends.

[|AC Nielsen] also offers data for annual advertising expenditures, however the information does not go further back than 5 years. I asked a friend to access the information for me, as you must be registered and pay a fee in order to log in to the site. I now owe my friend a beer.

Once I finished gathering information I created a chart organizing the info by year and medium.

The final infograph shows the difference in media spending vs. advertising complaints. Below are screenshots of the final work.



**Bibliographic Sources:**
AC Nielsen. Mar.-Apr. 2008 .

"Advertising and Related Services." Statistics Canada. 02 May 2006. Government of Canada. 10 Mar. 2008 .

"Alchemy of Fruit Juices." Information Aesthetics. 4 Mar. 2008. Mar. 2008 .

"Archived Reports." Advertising Standards Canada. 10 Mar. 2008 .

Carter, Shan, Aron Pilhofer, Andy Lehren, and Jeff Damens. "Casualties of War." The New York Times. 16 Mar. 2006. Mar. 2008 .

"Infographics." International Networks Archive. Mar. 2008 .