Marks in Time

 We went to view the archive,  at Leeds University looking at the adverts and collections through time, from when they opened to when the present day.
   M&S have always maintained the same five core principles; Innovation, Trust, Value, Service and Quality.
   You can clearly see throughout the changing decades these values represented in their products, service and advertising.  The young St Michael for men adverts showcased the first completely co-ordinated wardrobe for men.  The men are pictured with race cars at a track demonstrating both the fast pace and the glamour that is involved with their lifestyles, these were the type of men, living a type of lifestyle, that M&S wanted to associate with their clothing.
   Right from the 60's, they used celebrities to promote their clothing, Twiggy in particular has been a regular feature, appearing in both current advertising and 60's adverts.  Most notably appearing in their recent 125 years celebration adverts.  Since 2005, they have used a hoard of models and famous faces, ranging from Erin O'Connor, Lily Cole, Myleen Klass, Danni Minogue, and Take That.  They have used numerous exotic and interesting locations one of the more notable being the orient express, a location chosen for its glamour and romance, themes that they obviously wanted associated with their female clothing line.
   Their 125 years ad was largely nostalgic reflecting on the companies journey and how it has changed and progressed over the years.  The overall message was too look back and see just how much they have managed to achieve.
   M&S have managed to achieve alot in their 125 years, and although they do not possess some of my favorite advertising campaigns they do have alot of good adverts the food campaigns being among them, they are also a company which should be greatly admired for it achievements.