The advertisement titled "The Jogger" by Nike is a true representation of a strong visual text and involves all the elements that a visual text entails.  It transforms the minds of the audience by portraying these elements which can and do include color, texture, background, theme, etc.  A visual text is something defined by how a person or the audience is affected by it, emotionally and physically.  It draws in the audience's feelings and plays with the minds of the audience.  Something that is a visual text will provoke thought centering on a picture or image and the information is then processed and a certain emotion is brought forth.  "The Jogger" does a great job in bringing about all these characteristics of a visual text by choosing a common theme amongst all people in this world that people can relate to.  In this way, it makes every single person feel as if they are a part of the specific audience targeted for the advertisement.  The choice of actor in this ad also speaks volumes because he represents the majority in America and is the spitting image of a typical American kid, which is the main audience for Nike products to begin with.  The background image and voice in this advertisement also strengthen that emotion or feeling you get by watching it.  It ties everything together and portrays the traditional American characteristics of masculinity and farmland.  "The Jogger" represents a captivating visual text based on its ability to make every person a part of the audience and tie all of their lives into one central concept by using a strong main character, compelling background amenities such as the picture and voice, and most importantly, a very important theme or main idea to back up and support.  

The main actor that Nike decides to use in this advertisement is an overweight American kid which strikes home to all Americans because obesity is a huge problem in this country, especially regarding the youth.  Kids see this actor and relate to him which is exactly what a visual text makes you do.  A visual text engages the audience and plays with its emotions by continuously drawing them in.  The kid also starts off as a blurry figure and comes closer into view after running closer and working for it.  This transition can be related to the thought of not being great and being seen as nothing and then working one's way up to greatness and being brought forth under the bright lights on the big stage.  The visual text provokes thinking within the audience's minds to the point where kids ask themselves why they are not out running while this other kid is who is probably twice their size.  The actor choice is vital in a visual text like this and Nike chose an actor that would make people feel motivated to go achieve their own greatness.  Specific feelings and emotions were felt when the main character and his actions were viewed which can be attributed to it being a visual text.  The actor's actions and the setting around him also bring up some more thinking to do regarding how the ad plays with the person's emotions and what elements it incorporates to do so.

This advertisement is unique due to its set-up because its main objective is to gain the audience's attention and get them on their side.  The combination of the background imagery and voice in this ad does just that.  The kid is running on a long dirt road in the middle of an open field which suggests there remains a long journey to his goal; meanwhile, a vast amount of opportunities lay all around him waiting to be seen and discovered.  The background and the runner offer the audience a perfect contrast in a kid with many traits looking for a specific trait, which is greatness, while he runs in a specific land full of many unique opportunities.  The kid is trying to hone in on one attribute; meanwhile, the road he's running on contains an unlimited amount of broad opportunities.  The voice in the advertisement plays a key role as well because it offers up some food for thought while the visual of the kid running is showing.  The voice sounds like one of a classic narrator and attempts to add a sound to the picture and motivate the audience to get up and strive for greatness.  The voice convinces the audience they are all capable of making progress is the required amount of work is put in like the kid is perfectly displaying.  This is a strong visual text because it makes the audience want to feel pumped up and good about themselves while showing a kid who is also trying to do the same.  All people need is motivation and once they view an image of one person doing what they are striving to do, then they are all for it.  Nike wants its audience to strive for something that everyone wants which is exactly what is needed in a strong and effective visual text.

A solid theme or center point is required to make a push for a common goal and this ad "The Jogger" does just that.  The central goal for this advertisement to accomplish is to have people get up and get active which will push the audience to buy more Nike gear and apparel which is a clothing/equipment store based for physical activity and sports.  The goal of "striving for greatness" is one in the minds of every single person in America, if not on this whole Earth.  It ties right in with the American dream that people come from all over to personally achieve.  Everyone came to the US looking for immediate success without any requirement of hard work to go along with it.  This ad is aimed at those people to tell them that work is required but everyone has it in them to achieve a goal he or she has.  Everything is put into perspective, another major aspect of a visual text, with Nike choosing this theme and the certain visual that was chosen of the specific actor and background.   The audience can see that clearly hard work is needed to succeed but that no one is better than any one single person regarding the drive to complete that work and complete it the right way without shortcuts.  

Through the use of several different aspects of a visual text, "The Jogger" brings everyone together as the audience collectively and makes a push for them all to complete a certain goal.  As a visual text does, this advertisement brings about some sense of thought regarding perspective and objective of the author or creator.  It really draws one's feelings in and grasps one's attention the entire time.  A strong visual text draws the audience into the environment of the text and makes it seem as if the audience is living the same thing.  "The Jogger" draws the audience in through its use of character, background, and overall theme.  Nike makes sure everything meshes together in this advertisement causing for clear interpretation by the audience.  It's important to portray a specific perspective and work around that and incorporate all the other information and elements together to help the audience understand clearly and bring forth an appreciation for the text.  

