Representation Project Self Evaluation - Images of Youth

What ideas did you have about your subject going into this project? 
 Our group wanted to focus on how youth were influenced and the symbolic aspects of those influential sources.  It was also important to show who or what was the face of the youth demographics in our presentation.  For example, it is important to recognize that figures from television were going to be some of the more influential sources of media to youth.



What questions linger with you, even after the project is “over”?
 I am still unsure about the six different media examples, because in my opinion it seems unnecessary to have that many different types of sources.  In the process of explaining them, most likely the same type of explanation is going to be used for a magazine cover as it is for a television show.  Overall, I am confused as to why there needs to be six different media sources.




Was there anything that created an emotional response in you? Was there anything you can honestly say to which you brought a bias or resistance? 
 I don't feel that there was any emotional response that I felt from any presentations.  In our presentation, my explanation as to why video games are a large influence to youth today could have been portrayed as bias because I had said that video games had become such a large addiction to youth today and that priorities of youth have changed to focus on video games and other sources of media.




What did you omit from your project, and why did you omit it? What effects do you think your choices of omission had for an audience that saw ONLY what you chose to show? 
 We omitted any types of media that may have been memorable but not exactly significant to create our point.  For example, magazine covers and newspapers aren't something that can largely be used for eras of the 1990's-2010's because technology and other types of media have become stronger and older media such as newspapers aren't largely popular amongst youth.




What role do you think your own views/beliefs/values played in creating this project? 
 I think that my own views and beliefs were beneficial to this project because it helped to bring real world and modern explanations to modern influences of youth such as video games, television, and the internet.  Also, I thought that it was important to bring in older medias and really explain how traditional lifestyles still had influences on children in the older eras represented in the project.




How objective do you believe your project is? Explain. 
 I believe that our project was good because we were able to explain the progression of media and its sources as we moved through each division as well as to really represent the more important issues in each era which is better in terms of representing the larger issues instead of less significant issues.

Media Lit. Groups and Organizations Work - 5/11/2012

1. What does this episode have to say about being one of the group?

This episodes says that if you are not a true team player or an active part of the group, that you are at a disadvantage as compared to others in the group.  Also, by being at a disadvantage, bad things will happen to you while good things happen to others.

2. This episode can be interpreted as a commentary on institutionalized religion: what is it saying?

It is saying that when you take part in the club, you are always a member of the club because of the initial commitment that you made to the organization and to the people in it.

3. Writers and creators are increasingly using the medium of animation to communicate adult themes; how/why does animation create a different effect?

Animation creates a different effect on communicating adult themes because animation is more appealing to people’s senses rather than reading or other forms of communication.  Also, it exaggerates the issues that adults can relate to, but can be shown to multiple audiences.

4. Spongebob is a show created for young children. Do you believe that communicating adult, political, or social messages belong in shows marketed to children? Does it matter that the children don't actually know what is being said?

I’m neutral on the idea, because as a younger child, you won’t really notice the adult or political theme, but when you look back on it as an adult, you may see the connection.  I don’t think it matters if young children understand what is being said, but as they grow older, it becomes something that needs to be understood.

Gender Based Issues in Media

Media has posed a serious change to how women want to live and their lifestyles.  For a company to succeed, they need to have a good looking woman to model their product, or provide some other type of service.  With this state of mind, women have changed how they want to work, live, etc. to wanting to become the perfect looking person and be the face of the company's advertisements.  The image of society has changed to becoming this perfect person, and no one seems to really want to stop it.  When men and women are treated and act similarly to each other in more aspects, then it will be easier to say that women are no longer sacrificing their lifestyles for the gain of a company and the economy.

Advertising Techniques Journal #5 - iPhone

Give a brief description of the ad:

This is an ad that was created by Apple for when the first iPhone came out.  The iPhone was such a big thing at the time, and it had all these features that people thought that they would see in a phone.  There was so much hype about the iPhone, and it made people who wanted an iPhone look like people who were going to change their lives for a new device.

What propaganda techniques are used? Point out where/how each technique is used.

Simplification, and snob appeal are advertising techniques that stand out the most. 

Simplification is used as an advertising technique because the advertisement is saying that with the iPhone you have everything that you could possibly need, such as weather, utilities, and that you can download more apps if you have more needs.

Snob appeal is used because the iPhone is in an environment that seems to be perfect, with blue skies, flowers, grass, and a hot air balloon in the background.  Apple is trying to make their product fit in any place, and that it can be used wherever and whenever the owner wants.

What effect do the techniques have? In your opinion, do they do their job?

I believe that the techniques have a misleading effect that the iPhone is perfect for any person, condition, or anything else that you can think of.  Also, it’s large amount of available apps says that just like the background, the product is perfect.  In my opinion, Apple does a great job of trying to sell it’s product in this ad, by putting it’s product not only in the spotlight, but also in an environment.

Who is the audience for this ad, and how do you know?

The audience in this ad is anyone, because Apple is trying to prove that it’s product is perfect for anyone. One group that could stand out more than the others is a environmental friendly group because of the background, but I believe that Apple is trying to sell to everyone because of all of the features that it provides.

What is omitted from this ad? What is the effect of the omission?

There is a lack of focus towards specific audience groups that could be targeted, but with the slogan “The world is Yours”, it seems that everyone is being targeted.  With the omission, there is a effect of people left hanging, wondering if they are right for the ad or not.

Would different audiences have different reactions? Explain!

Yes, because people that are more geared towards technology would be open and ready to accept this new invention and advancement in technology, while other people that may be older,  may have no use for a product such as the iPhone or may just not be interested in the product.

What message, lifestyles and values are encouraged and/or portrayed through the ad? Make connections to what is in the ad.

With the background of the hot air balloon, etc., I would say that the message and lifestyle of this product is that no matter what you like, the iPhone can help connect you with your interests.  This ad also encourages a lifestyle with more activity involving new technology, and making an attempt to leave the past behind.

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/297/5/d/ipod_advertisement_by_endlesshorizons-d31fvn7.png

Viral and Guerrilla Advertising

Viral Advertising:
 (source: Wikipedia)

Viral advertising is a form of advertising that uses currently existing social media networks to produce a name for the product or company that is being marketed.  When a company or a person puts themselves on a network such as Youtube, Hulu, etc. they are trying to raise awareness of their company, product and/or themselves.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/294/picture6du8.png/sr=1



Guerrilla Advertising:
(source: Wikipedia)

Guerrilla Advertising is an advertising strategy in which low-cost unconventional means (graffiti, sticker bombing, flash mobs) are utilized, often in a localized fashion or large network of individual cells, to convey or promote a product or an idea.

This picture is an example of Guerrilla Advertising because the company Nestle-KitKat is putting its name on the public bench.  This could be guerrilla advertising because the bench has either a sticker or paint that represents the company on it.

 http://www.topdesignmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/336.jpg

Free Write May 2

Think of two competing products/services: how do they "wage war" with each other? How do you determine success in marketing competition?

Nike and Adidas

Nike has become a large corporation for sports such as football, and baseball.  Nike just became the maker of the NFL’s equipment. Also, Nike has the largest amount of athletes using their products.

Adidas is huge in sports such as soccer, and is starting to build in football.  Also, in basketball it has become a large market, by signing athletes such as Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard to use their products.

Adidas seems to be an on the rise company, constantly putting high end athletes in their products, and seems to be establishing themselves quickly, while Nike has been established for a while and is moving successfully, but at a slower rate.

Advertising Techniques Journal #4 - PowerBar

Give a brief description of the ad:

-This is an ad for powerbars, with a picture of traits other people may have of you for each set of weights.  The more the amount of weight, the higher other people think of you.

What propaganda techniques are used? Point out where/how each technique is used.

-Flattery, Over-Emphasized, Glittering Generalities. Flattery because the ad is trying to tell you that if you eat powerbars, then you will have enough strength to lift a huge amount of weights and get stronger.  Over-Emphasized because it is saying that you can do the maximum weight limit just by eating a powerbar first. Glittering Generalities because the words posted on the weights are words that stand out in the advertisement.

What effect do the techniques have? In your opinion, do they do their job?

-The techniques try to sell a better lifestyle by using the product, and trying to display false information to get more consumers.  In my opinion, I think that the ad serves it’s purpose, however the message of the ad is clearly not realistic.

Who is the audience for this ad, and how do you know?

-The audience for this ad is people that are not strong who want to become strong, and for people that work out that want to become stronger.  Because the adjectives in the ad are more masculine, it also displays that this product is more for men than women.

What is omitted from this ad? What is the effect of the omission?

-Realistic information, as well as what this product does to even suggest that it could work in the occasion that the ad is serving for the consumer.  The effect of the omission is that without information, it leaves a potential consumer hanging after looking at the ad.

Would different audiences have different reactions? Explain!

-Yes, people who have tried something like this product would already have the experience to know that it will probably not work as advertised, while inexperienced people would readily be willing to accept the risks of the ad.

What message, lifestyles and values are encouraged and/or portrayed through the ad? Make connections to what is in the ad.

-The lifestyle portrayed in this ad is that if you eat powerbars, then you have what it takes to have big muscles, and you can have a better, more healthy lifestyle.

Advertising Techniques Journal - Spoof

http://www.adbusters.org/content/nike-shoe-sweatshop

Give a brief description of the ad:

-This is a description as to how nike charges a large price for their product, when the people making the product are paid next to nothing.

What propaganda techniques are used? Point out where/how each technique is used.

-Satire, Reality.  The fact that nike is a large company that operates by selling high end material for a high price, while they are greedy enough not to pay the employees that they are unwilling to pay them decent salaries.

What effect do the techniques have? In your opinion, do they do their job?

-The techniques give the feeling that people don’t really know or want to know what is happening before they can buy the product, and that all people really care about is the finished product.  In my opinion, this ad does a good job because it shows how Nike is unwilling to be fair with their employees.

Who is the audience for this ad, and how do you know?

-The audience for this ad are Nike consumers, because they should know what is going on behind the scenes, and not just the finished product.

What is omitted from this ad? What is the effect of the omission?

-Specifics are missing from this ad, such as you don’t know if the 83 cents is an hourly pay or etc.

Would different audiences have different reactions? Explain!

-People of ethnicities that are employees of Nike, and create the products would see this as something important that needs to be put out in public, a story that needs to be told.

What message, lifestyles and values are encouraged and/or portrayed through the ad? Make connections to what is in the ad.

-The message to this ad is that companies overcharge and as long as the company is bringing in more money, and has more assets than liabilities, then that company is operating well.

Branding Research

Apple

Demographics: consumers with $100,000 or greater income (80 percent), and 18-34 year olds (78 percent).

Apple's why message is that "Everything we do, we believe in challenging the status quo.

Apple functions by creating devices and new forms of technology that change the way people look at technology, and completely revolutionizes the field of technology.

Apple’s products are being sold and are being consumed by their majority 18-34 year old population because of the presence of peer pressure and the idea of keeping up with the Jones’. Also, since Apple keeps producing newer, and more advanced technologies, our youthful population that relies on technology, has a desire to use the newer forms of technology.

https://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_100326.html
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2391929,00.asp

Pop Culture Poetry #1

Persuasion

(a poem convincing consumers to buy into a company)

America,

Home of the Free

Land of the consumer

Where we are told

“Buy in bulk”

“Bigger is better”

“Get more for your dollar”

And we are consumers

People that have given into:

“Just Do It”

“One Stop Shopping”

And “the next big thing”

Michigan

Home of the Fords,

North Carolina

The Wright Brothers,

And so much more,

But today what it has come down to is:

“the new iPad”

“pc mag’s best rated computer”

“the top safety pick”

“the best luxury vehicle”

People have given into companies

Without any thought,

And the persuasion of the ad

Has become the face

of America.

Media Ownership

1. What strikes you about the way media ownership is divided?

How uneven ownership is by different corporations.  For example, Walt Disney has a $40.1 billion revenue, while Tribune Company has a fraction of Walt Disney’s revenue, having a $3.2 billion revenue.

2. How consistent is the information you found? If it's consistent, what does this tell you about the sources? If it is not consistent, do you have any ideas about why the info doesn't match up? Consider source legitimacy, date of research, etc.

The information I found was consistent.  This displays that the sources have used the same sources or have found their research directly from the companies that they were researching.

3. What are the pros or cons of the way media ownership is currently divided?

Pros:

-Companies can focus in specific areas of media.

Cons:

-Some companies and medias are at a disadvantage because they don’t have revenues that are large enough to keep that media area successful, while another media with larger revenue companies have more to try to get ahead.

4. What questions do you have about what you are noticing, or what do you want to know more about?

For companies that focus in several areas of media, how much of their focus is in each area?

Advertising Techniques Journal #2 - Obama

Give a brief description of the ad:

-It’s Obama’s hope campaign poster.

What propaganda techniques are used? Point out where/how each technique is used.

-Glittering generalities. The word hope stands out trying to represent how Obama is the right fit for president.

What effect do the techniques have? In your opinion, do they do their job?

-It gives the feeling of comfort in voting for this potential leader.

Who is the audience for this ad, and how do you know?

-Anyone interested in politics, anyone who may be a liberal.

What is omitted from this ad? What is the effect of the omission?

-There is no information as to why hope should be placed with Obama. The effect is that people are going to want to know more.

Would different audiences have different reactions? Explain!

-Yes, conservatives would be less interested in these advertisements.

What message, lifestyles and values are encouraged and/or portrayed through the ad? Make connections to what is in the ad.

-The message is that Obama is a trustworthy potential leader and people should feel safe with him as a leader.

Advertising Techniques Journal #1 - Corvette

Give a brief description of the ad:

-The ad is saying that car makers follow the lead of a Chevrolet Corvette, and try to compete with the Corvette.

What propaganda techniques are used? Point out where/how each technique is used?

-Bandwagon, Symbolism. The symbolism is that Chevrolet leads the way in making cars. Bandwagon is evident in that if you are someone who wants to be the first or wants to have the best car, then they will make a transaction for this type of car.

What effect do the techniques have? In your opinion, do they do their job?

-The techniques have the effect of trying to get a potential client to buy this car by claiming that it’s the best and the leader of the revolution.  In my opinion, this ad is a little vague but does a good job.

Who is the audience for this ad, and how do you know?

- Young to middle aged adults, because the idea of driving a fast car usually fits this age demographic.

What is omitted from this ad? What is the effect of the omission?

- There is no detail on how the car is better than others, so it loses potential clients because it doesn’t say how it’s better.

Would different audiences have different reactions? Explain!

-Yes, because they don’t think the same and would probably weigh what their needs are more than what they want.

What message, lifestyles and values are encouraged and/or portrayed through the ad? Make connections to what is in the ad.

- Messages to be a leader and to own the best car for your wants is portrayed in the ad.