The Due Diligence of Sharing Social Media Facts

http://socialfresh.com/the-due-diligence-of-sharing-social-media-facts/

The Due Diligence of Sharing Social Media Facts

by Tom Webster on 30th July 2010

I’m going to make a bet: at some point today, you ran across some new study, survey or research report about social media. If you spent any time browsing your feeds, grazing tweets or even just reading Mashable, you probably couldn’t avoid it. To say we are bombarded with research about social media is an understatement – most weeks, we’re pummeled by it.

continued on link

Final Presentation

Sarah Palin stands by made-up word 'refudiate,' compares self to Shakespeare

Sarah Palin stands by made-up word 'refudiate,' compares self to Shakespeare

Global Fast Food: 23 Menu Items Sold Abroad

Global Fast Food: 23 Menu Items Sold Abroad



An example of cultural context? A company alters it's products based on the culture of its geographical location. America has a culture where beef is the most widely consumed meat, that is different in other cultures; as seen by the products they have available.

Video for class

The video above will be used for one of the final two critique assignments. If you have already presented your in class critique you should watch the video to be able to participate in the discussion for Week 8.

The Old Spice Guy Now Making Custom Videos for Fans via Social Media

The Old Spice Guy Now Making Custom Videos for Fans via Social Media

This is such brilliant marketing by Old Spice!

Bud Light Commercial - How to make your Marriage Work.

How to make a marrige work. In our culture as opposed to non-western do base marriage and the creation of a family on something as temporal as the emotion of love. This commercials is RIGHT on code - The daughter asks for instructions on how to make a marriage work; and the mother responds with what I believe is JOKE - The response the mother gives the daughter reinforces the code Love and Marriage = FALSE EXPECTATION.

An American

you're American... if
· You believe deep down in the First Amendment, guaranteed by the government and perhaps by God.

· You're familiar with David Letterman, Mary Tyler Moore, Saturday Night Live, Bewitched, the Flintstones, Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, Bob Newhart, Bill Cosby, Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, Donald Duck, the Fonz, Archie Bunker, Star Trek, the Honeymooners, the Addams Family, the Three Stooges, and Beetle Bailey.

· You know how baseball, basketball, and American football are played. If you're male, you can argue intricate points about their rules. On the other hand (and unless you're under about 20), you don't care that much for soccer.

· You count yourself fortunate if you get three weeks of vacation a year.


· You're fairly likely to believe in God; if not, you've certainly been approached by people asking whether you know that you're going to Heaven.

· You think of McDonald's, Burger King, KFC etc. as cheap food.

· You own multiple telephones and a Televisions.

· Your place is heated in the winter and has its own bathroom.

· You do your laundry in a machine.

· You don't kill your own food.

· You don't have a dirt floor.

· You eat at a table, sitting on chairs.

· You don't consider insects, dogs, cats, monkeys, or guinea pigs to be food.

· A bathroom may not have a bathtub in it, but it certainly has a toilet.

· It seems natural to you that the telephone system, railroads, auto manufacturers, airlines, and power companies are privately run; indeed, you can hardly picture things working differently.

· You expect, as a matter of course, that the phones will work. Getting a new phone is routine.

The list continues on http://www.zompist.com/amercult.html also available are list from other countries.

Culture Code: Luxury and Food/Alcohol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqeMwcl6p_E

According to Rapaille's Culture Code, the Code for luxury is MILITARY STRIPES. The purpose of luxury is related to money, which according to the Code is PROOF of one's success. Luxury not only proves one's success and status in America, but also shows it off for others to see.

In this recent Acura ad for their Driven By Reason Sales Event, we see four different individuals who are all showing off their most prized luxury items, and explaining why they are so important and unique. The tagline of the ad is "There are excuses for spending money on luxury; and then, there are reasons." The ad attempts to explain that some people purchase luxury items for the sake of them being expensive for whatever reason, but they are not truly a smart investment because all the items presented are purely for show. While an Acura not only shows off one's luxury and military stripes, but also shows off more since it is a smart buy and the car serves more functions for the owner than just to show off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRuNxHqwazs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-3qncy5Qfk

These previous two videos are obviously parodies of energy drink ads and not ads themselves. However, they play on the same concept of the Code for food: FUEL. The only reason we have energy drinks is to give us whatever fuel we need to wake us up and get us through the day. Energy drink companies and ad agencies play on this need to make their product more desireable by making them appear "extreme" or "in your face," as these videos demonstrate.

I also find it funny how one of the flavors in the second video is "gun," which is also the Code for alcohol. Sometimes products like energy drinks and their effeccts on people can be so overwhelmingly powerful even with substances like caffeine that can also be seen as a dangerous weapon as alcohol can be.

Weight Loss and Cultural Codes

In the text The Culture Code, author Clotaire Rapaille discusses the prevalence of obesity in America. He asserts that being fat is not the problem but rather a solution that some choose as a coping mechanism to other life situations. Through his research he determines that the American cultural code for fat is CHECKING OUT.

A common theme in weight loss commercials is that weight loss is hard to attain and often those struggling give up or "check out." However Weight Watchers stays on-code enforcing that they offer simple tools to keep the dieter "keeping on."

Besides the obvious dialogue of the commercial I found it very interesting that Jennifer Hudson was the chosen spokesperson. In 2008 Hudson's mother, brother and nephew were murdered by her brother-in-law. Only recently has she broken her silence about the tragedy, saying that "it was all a blur, it was surreal," and going on to say that she didn't leave her room for two weeks...or essentially she checked out.

I found it very on-code of Weight Watchers to not only use the dialogue but to use a spokesperson who has experienced something very difficult and tragic. While the commercial did not address the issue, it may show the dieter that if Jennifer Hudon can pull ourself out of a rough situation and get herself fit and healthy so can you. I thought it was an interesting use of cultural code and a latent message in the advertising.

The Commerical is portraying instances where the consumer can experience the luxury of shopping. It provides the viewer with images of upscale stores and the happiness it brings to those who shop within Cherry Creek Shopping Center. The close proximity of the actors emphasize commradre and the comfort of being together looking for the 'right' item and having an abundance of choices.

As Rapaille explains in Chapter nine, page 160, while shopping is wonderous and life-affirming, buying sends a different message especially to women. The idea of shopping is to search for good deals and one-of-a-kind items that may bring happiness and fullfilment to those within the shopping 'zone', but not necessarily to buy the item. Rapaille explains this to be the alibi process in which, not making the purchases provides the alibi for going shopping again in the future, thereby giving the shopper another reason to go back to the malls.

Besides the manifest messages of 'buy', there are the latent messages as well. The commerical emphasizes the status and class that is associated with shopping. Being able to make purchases without concern for money, emphaisizes a financial freedom. Some people even go as far as to save hundreds even thousands of dollars to plan shopping excursions in order to have the illusion of belonging to the same upperclass or status level if only for an hour or so.

Notes for Class- Tamara Minley-Advertising

1. I definitlely agree that the media presents each one of us with an image of what we should be, want to be, or strives to be within our society. Some people desperately try to find themselves and they depend on the media to provide them with templates of people to emulate because of their lack of imagination and self worth.

2. Some commercials entertain us so much, as the book said, it takes away from the original message. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc-Ek-eIRxk&feature=PlayList&p=A1F05FBA4D0BEDA9&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=41 In some circumstances this is a good thing, but as it may be a great commerical and is remembered for its "awesomeness", but i would have to agree that if the product is not the prominent focus and made aware at all times within the commerical, it is difficult to determine if you are watching a movie or a commerical.

3. I agree mostly with the comments in the book regarding sex and americans. We use sex to sell sell sell and sometimes the sexual inserts arent even necessary. We manipulate the audience by drawing their (Men) attention to the screen in order to promote our products...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKQEpzJTUio Do they even remember what it is that was being advertised or are they just watching because of the sexual overtures. Sex sells and we all know it. Do advertisers go overboard at times.... perhaps but they get your attention.

Body Bags and Secondhand Smoke

Here are two past commercials by Truth.

Shards O' Glass Freeze Pops

When I first saw this commercial, I have to admit it grabbed my attention. I must have caught parts of it several times and was curious who was behind it. I looked it up on YouTube and realized it was a product of Truth, the anti-smoking group with all the crazy commercials. I visited their site and their "About Us" section is really quite interesting. They state that their "...philosophy isn't anti-smoker or pro-smoker...it's about an industry manipulating its products, facts and advertising to secure replacements for the 1200 customers they "lose" every day." (To read the rest click here). I thought both this commercial and what it stands for were very pertinent to this week's discussion on advertising.

I felt that this commercial specifically spoke to the section in Chapter 13 regarding social marketing. According to the text, media literacy can be a useful tool in shaping messages that influence the attitudes and behaviors of individuals; the rationale behind social marketing is that the tools of media literacy can be used to promote pro-social behaviors (Silverblatt 289).

By centering the "advertisement" around a completely ridiculous and obviously deadly product, Truth demonstrates that the Tobacco Company does the same thing with cigarette marketing. The language used is very similar to the warnings heard in cigarette advertisements, yet the marketing of deadly products is tolerated by many in our society. However, new regulations were very recently passed on the marketing of tobacco products. Do you think that social marketing campaigns such as those by Truth have been instrumental in the increase in regulation of tobacco marketing? If so, will this precedent influence an increase in future social marketing campaigns?

Rescue Heroes

The following You Tube clips show the Rescue Heroes cartoon, video game, and toy commercial. As in chapter 13 it discusses how sometimes the advertisement is the entertainment, these cartoons were developed in order to sell the toys. My son had these videos and of course we had to get the action figures.

Another example would be Care Bears. These were my generation of must have toys. When my daughter was about three they came out with Care Bears again at the store. In each box with the bear was a video of the Care Bear cartoon. The marketers knew their target would be women who grew up with these adorable bears and would nostalgically want to introduce them to their children in turn. It worked. I got her about five of them and then moved onto Strawberry Shortcake and Rainbow Brite. My daughter was not nearly as enthusiastic about these items as I was...

Rescue Heroes: Electrical Storm intro

Toys: Rescue Heroes - Hyperjet

Rescue Heroes: Fire Frenzy (GB Color) preview

Following up on last week's class

Last week in class we covered Structure and Framework. We discussed various types of media ownership (state owned, privately owned) and the impact this can have on content.

This week you can read a profile of Saad Mohseni, described as Afghanistan's first media mogul.

You can listen to the NPR interview with the author, Ken Auletta, here.

You can find the full story here:Saad Mohseni, Afghanistan’s first media mogul: newyorker.com

And a link to Tolo TV's website here.

What are the implications of controlling such a large percentage of the television market-share in a country that has a literacy rate between 20-30%?

What pros and cons do you see to the funding structure of Mohseni's television shows? Specifically the U.S.A.I.D. produced reality show described in the piece?

This article likens the difficulty of "cracking down" on programming that is being accused of negatively impacting Islamic values to the same difficulty faced by the Chinese government when attempting to oust Avatar (which we discussed in class). What commonalities do you see between the two situations? What differences do you see?

What are your thoughts on the idea that "old media systems" are still working in countries like Afghanistan?

Advertising

It's amazing how media literacy opens your eyes to a world undeveloped by hidden messages. As a read the chapter I couldn't help but to reflect back to a time when an advertisement was just that in my mind, after learning about latent messages in media and subliminal messages one would be cautious to analyze all forms of media that comes across one's lap.

Advertisements have been used over time to shape and form America's most perfect society; what to wear, how to look, what to drive, right along with what to eat, drink and even sleep on. Of course if the categories given do not apply to apply to you, you are either an outcast or not good enough and your credentials are insufficient. Advertisements play on one's emotion and makes the audience feel that they should be right there with the actors/ characters of this well scripted event; you thirst and lust to be desired as the description of the product suggests. Not only do advertisements mislead and misinform its public, but it also covers up what the bare eye would despies as fault. Advertisements use many techniques to perfect their approach in gaining the hearts of their fellow man or woman; special effects, props, sounds and music, and even the covering of human flaws are used to enhance the deliverance of the special product. Just to name a few familiar ads: Nike (Just do it) whatever it may be; Lays (Can't eat just one) I mean why would someone eat just one and they've purchased a whole bag of chips; and I love the Charmin commercial where the bear absorbs water from the lake with just one square of tissue and why not when they're so absorbent.

The text also appealed to my senses when I read and observed the ads in the text about how women and men are positioned differently in ads to show the masculinity of the man and reduce the woman to a dependent to the male species (look at her she's so helpless without him, what would life be like without the strength of men to carry women burdens). I also reflected back on the showing of Buffy the Vampire when the paramedic was talking to her about her mother's death and how large he appeared to be over her as if in a stance of authority.

QR Code's CSI Moment

How prevalent are QR (Quick Response) Codes in the US in 2010? Will QR codes replace barcodes totally?

Bar codes growing smarter, more useful

Monday, June 21, 2010 Last updated: Monday June 21, 2010, 8:16 AM

BY RACHEL METZ
The Record
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN FRANCISCO — It used to be that the only time you'd notice a bar code was at a store, maybe when a cashier scanned your groceries. But lately bar codes are showing up in more places — and getting more sophisticated.

You might have seen one cousin of the traditional bar code: Known as a QR code, this jumble of little squares randomly arranged within a larger square is popping up on everything from bus stop billboards to restaurant windows. If you spot one and snap it with your cellphone camera, the device can show you a website, photo or video related to the advertiser.

Fast facts
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Variations on bar codes, once used just to track inventory at stores, are showing up with a different look and more functions.

BEYOND THE BAR: One cousin of the traditional bar code, the QR code, looks like a bunch of small squares inside a larger square. Google uses these on decals it sends to businesses.

HOW IT WORKS: Consumers read the code with a cellphone camera and scanning application, and are directed to a Web page or other online content. The codes on Google’s stickers link to a mobile version of a page where businesses can post coupons.

For example, Google Inc. is giving businesses stickers with QR codes that passers-by can scan. That brings up a link to a mobile version of a Google page where the business can post coupons and information about themselves. Soon the codes could lead to other avenues for connecting with customers in ways businesses can measure and control. That could help them target advertisements to the people who are most likely to respond to their entreaties.
Earlier attempts to get consumers to scan bar codes that link with the Web didn't get much traction. The 1990s brought the CueCat, which let publishers append their printed material with bar codes that people could scan with a handheld reader if they wanted to be taken directly to related information on their computers. The QR code (short for "quick response") also was released in the 1990s by

Japanese scanning equipment maker Denso Wave Inc.
What has changed now, though, is that consumers are increasingly engaging with their mobile devices for more than making phone calls, texting and checking e-mails. And smart phones can easily download scanning applications that make it possible for product codes to leap from store shelves to the wider world.

The bar code on your box of cookies encodes a string of numbers horizontally that a bar code reader matches with information from a central database. That's how the supermarket scanner identifies the product you're buying.

These other codes, such as QR codes, can represent data horizontally and vertically. That means they can include much more information in a smaller space, and some of them can tell the scanning app on your phone all it needs to know about which website or video to pull up, without needing to consult a database. It's unclear how many of these codes are out there, but potentially billions could be created.
Google has been using QR codes since late last year to help promote hundreds of thousands of businesses in its local listings service, known as Google Places. The company has sent the businesses decals for their windows that say, "We're a Favorite place on Google" and include a QR code at the bottom.

The idea stemmed from Google's desire to have more of a physical presence with businesses and consumers, says Ryan Hayward, a product marketing manager for Google Maps who is heading the rollout of QR code stickers.

For now, the codes lead to the mobile version of a business' page on Google Places. Eventually, Google might use the technology to pull up videos and lead to application downloads, Hayward says.

Notes for Class- Tamara Minley-Prod Elements

1. Within the text it mentioned that ideas, concepts and things do not really exist until there are words to recall categorize and talk about them. I disagree. How is this truly possible when during the prehistoric times, they used symbols and sounds, not words.

2. I agree with the book on connotative words. Upon helping my son study and read particular books for summer school that there are many words that have alternative meanings and he points them out whenever we read. He has asked me why they use the word "Lot" for a group of people when they could have just said "Group" or "Jug" when they could have said "Pitcher". this obviously irritates him. :)

3. what is the point of a panoramic view? The idea that it jumps from person to person in order to incorporate everyone's perspective into the scene is confusing.

Teen Online Useage

Here is another article showing the opposite trend. I thought it was interesting how it pointed out the misleading headline of an article. An example of posturing to generate initial interest, then hit the audience with the less "sexy" facts.

Report shows decline in cyberbullying

(Credit: McAfee / Harris Interactive)

commentary The headline of the press pitch I received a few days ago read "McAfee to release shocking findings of teen's online behavior," but the actual data from the study, "Secret Life of Teens," are far from shocking.

McAfee's study (PDF) is actually a reassuring portrait of how most young people are exercising reasonable caution in their use of technology. The study, conducted by Harris Interactive, included interviews with almost 1,400 10- to 17-year-olds.

Read More

Why Marketers Must Keep Kids’ Safety in Mind - eMarketer

Why Marketers Must Keep Kids’ Safety in Mind - eMarketer

BP PR and Legal Accountability

To lawyers, BP's PR strategy isn't puzzling

By CURT ANDERSON, RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI and DAVID KOENIG (AP) – 19 hours ago

To a nation frustrated by the Gulf oil spill, BP's attempts at damage control have sometimes been infuriatingly vague. But from a legal standpoint, that's exactly the point.

Read more:

Week 4 "Note Card"

In reading chapter 8 in Silverblatt, I began to think about the concepts of subplot and implicit content. I've seen countless terrible "B" movies on the SyFy channel as well as other types of programs that attempt to create subplots and have implicit functions in their characters but fail to truly impact the viewer due to lack of depth or pointlessness of the element at hand. Is a true subplot or implicit action something that truly delivers and/or suprises the viewer, or can it be weak and predictable and just a poor example of the element?

Structure anf Framework of Media Literacy

After reading chps. 7-9, I have a better understanding about the functions and operations of how media is presented and communicated. For instance, I now understand why one of the radio stations that I listen to is not formulated from a local aspect even though St. Louis has their own staff and participation in each daily segment. The show that came to mind is the Rickey Smiley morning show that is based out of Dallas. I thought that the stations formed conglamorates inorder to reach a larger audience when in reality one of the main reasons is

Falls Prevention for Families With Children With Special Needs

Johnson & Johnson Community Support

I'm not sure if this is going to work or not since it is the first time I have ever done this..
This is a public service by Johnson and Johnson for their Safe Kids initiative. Much like the Dove spot we saw in class, J&J is reaching out to the public to show they care. The message is altruistic, however, they are still selling their brand.

http://www.safekids.org/who-we-are/sponsors/johnson-and-johnson/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56wfaA2clqY

uh... not sure what just happened. I did something else and it said the video posted. Who knows... I need to figure this out..

THE LETTER PEOPLE!!

This was another great show from my childhood that was educational....and now that I watch it Scary. It is a great example of how education was mixed into an entertainment format.

The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody [Original Version]

This is a great example of the type of media I grew up....not the Bohemian Rhapsody per se.....but definately the muppets. I loved how Jim Henson took these characters/puppets and created a whole world that people my age and older and younger loved/love/will love.

Fraggle Rock - opening theme

Brand Names

I have always been a brand name grocery and consumer goods shopper. A vast majority of my grocery and consumer good purchases are repeat purchases for I am a brand loyalist. I only buy Dove soap, Tide washing detergent, Heinz ketchup, Granny Smith apples, and list continues.
Why? I personally have conscious and unconscious rationales for these shopping behaviors. We have history; these are the brands that I grew up using, I like these brands. Also, I have been conditioned to believe that brand names are better; based on the assumption that you get what you pay for.
Generic products tend to be of a cheaper and/or poorer quality. For example, Equate, is generic brand that offers cheaper and inferior consumer good products as compared to Johnson & Johnson. I can think of several more examples of brand products that are better that the generics. I cannot however recollect any generics products that a better alternative than brand names.

Related Articles
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2733109/generics_or_names_are_they_the_same.html?cat=42

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/520563/brand_names_vs_the_unknown_are_you.html?singlepage=true&cat=46

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1482890/top_five_global_brand_names.html?cat=3

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is my favorite cd! This is the only cd that i have been able to enjoy every single song on and some how relate and feel connected to the artist. Lauryn Hill touched on life, love, self and letting go. When Hill's cd came out, I played it every single day, for approximately 2 months straight. Hill started her career with the Fugees, which were a hip hop jazz/rap group that consisted of Wyclef, Hill and Pras. You all my recognize Hill from the movie Sister Act. Lauryn Hill is well known for her revised version of Roberta Flack's "killing me softly". The production of this cd was phenomenal. There are multiple people who had a hand on this project. You have the writers who write the songs, you have the musicians and each intrument plays a part in the delivery of the song.
I have attached one of the most popular songs from her cd "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill"


Another song that you might me familiar with even if you are not familiar with Hill, is "Can't take my eyes off of you"




Genine Byrd

70's Burger King Commercial

sarahas first burger king commercial!!!!!!!!!

I Am Man - Burger King

The evolution of Burger King

In the 70's Burger King commercials focused on having service/ food "your way". Then Burger King commercials began to play on children's interest by using childhood actors to make their advertisements more effective and using the most popular toys/ cartoons to reinforce their marketing strategies. Who could say no to such adorable kids, right? Now Burger King has created its own "Ultra Lord" and advertise commercials toward men claiming "I am man, hear me roar" or atleast belch as I enjoy this fulfilling manly burger-of-a-meal that is way to masculine and not prissy unenough to be suitable for a woman.

HUGGIES

Huggies® Jeans Diapers Hit the Streets!

Favorite Media Piece

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSG807d3P-U
a. The Targeted audience within this television ad appears to be Men. The purpose is to get more men to eat fish sandwiches from McDonalds. It is a humorous commercial, which attracts young and older men, but the focus may primarily be on the group of 13-25. The catchy tune and animated antics of the bass on the wall, plays to a man's need to hunt and fish for sport, but if they are unable to fish they can always grab a fish sandwich from McDonalds.

b. The function behind this advertisement is to persuade Men to purchase fish sandwiches while also providing them with entertainment, i.e. the catchy tune and humorous characters. Most men tend to buy the beef products (quarter pounder w/cheese, big mac, etc). This is also a form of Multiple Function. It is obvious that the commercial is to get people to buy a filet o’fish, but it is also to get MEN to purchase a filet o’fish. It coerces others to purchase through humor and the catchy jingle. Men like goofy humor check out this unprofessional video made by men: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-kvxLdiSLc&feature=related

c. Both of the commercials that were viewed seem to be directed at the same audience. There is no difference between the messages that is implied that could be seen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIq92yp_a0c&feature=related

Notes for Class- Tamara Minley

1. I do not agree with McLuhan’s idea that the medium is the message. I see his theory holding somewhat true as important events may be downplayed, but that is the communicators fault, not the medium. I don’t believe that the medium itself such as, television, radio, newspaper or internet, determines how the message is understood or translated by the audience. I believe that the communicator is definitely the main cause for any miscommunication and/or misunderstanding no matter which medium you use to relay a message.
   
2. There is a comparison made on page 24 regarding the signing of the Treaty of Ghent; that took nearly two months to spread the information and the death of Princess Diana and the news being immediate. I am sure that they are trying to reference the way technology is more expedient now days than before but I don’t think the examples they used are comparative.
   
3. Explain Multiple Function further…

Color Television — Infoplease.com

Production Elements
Color Television — Infoplease.com

Imagine watching an episode of your favorite television show; now imagine it's the early 1950's and you're watching the exact same same show. What is the difference, what is missing? Most importantly, the color! Television, initially a black and white medium received a major upgrade to color production. Color adds an extra dimension of information and entertainment; before color was introduce television viewers had heard but never seen of Lucille Ball red hair. Without color television would the Home Shopping Network, televised fashion show, or color themed sitcoms HGTV's Color Splash thrive and exist.

Television's transition to color faced several challenges. Very similar to the challenges presented by the recent switch to High Definition television. Many people did not have the signals or equipment necessary to reap the benefits of the upgrade to color nor HD. I personally can't imagine watching television without any color. Will day come that the following statement is widely valid, I can't imagine watching television with out high definition.

The Reality of Production Elements

In class this week we will be looking at three different reality television shows and discussing their similarity in terms of production elements. Below are the clip selections we will be using:

The Hills - MTV Shows

Production elements within drug marketing

Take a look at the commercial below. This is a television advertisement for the anti-depressant Cymbalta that can be found on youtube.

Initially the video is shot from a second person point of view. The viewer is supposed to feel as if they are viewing life passing them by on a television screen. This is evident by the television lines that are present and the soft glow around the shot as if to simulate a TV screen in the dark. Also written indicators on the screen of "Record" and the date along with the universally indicated red "recording" dot simulate the viewing of a home movie. The use of this particular point of view coupled with the music that is playing in a minor key all give the viewer a sense of separation and sadness. They are apart from these people that are so obviously enjoying life and cannot "break through" into that world which they are separate from.

The ad then cuts to a series of shots that are designed to invoke this same feeling of being alone and separate. The first is of a man leaning against a shelving unit in what appears to be a closet. The actors performance fills the space, by leaning backward and looking up, as if in a state of helplessness. The space seems to be confining which is detailed by the way the shelving unit stretches behind the man and the tiny opening that is the doorway. This gives the viewer the sense that options for leaving the room are limited. The invisible "forth wall" is blocked by the viewer themselves and is also accentuated by the windows in the background. That grayish cast is designed to convey a sense of feeling downtrodden.



What do you see in the second and third cuts of the commercial that keep this same sense of "depression" alive for the viewer? What changes occur within the music once the name of the product is mentioned? What changes do you see after the product is introduced? Specifically what is different about the lighting, pacing, music etc.? Discuss in the comments below

Chapter 10 "Note Card"

I enjoyed reading on page 174 the importance of lighting in the film Bladerunner. Subtle, dim lighting is something audiences can take for granted when viewing a film or television. We know that it can give off a certain mood of a scene, but it's not often that it's used for the theme of an entire motion picture. Usually dim lighting can be seen as a poor decision or flaw of the director, especially in media such as filmed interviews, which I've seen, and becomes a huge distraction.

On page 175, Natalie Angier mentions how the "cute" factor causes some cars to sell and others not to, like SUVs. I'm not sure when this was written, but I think it's important to note that there have also been some modifications to SUVs like the Jeep Liberty and Ford Escape to also appear "cuter," more compact and even rounder, as well as having better milage for SUVs.

The defenition for the natural predisposition for order (gestalt) on page 179 is interesting, but I would like to know more about whether or not imbalance and things being out of order also stimulate certain people. It would seem plausible that perhaps a smaller portion of the population prefer disorder and a lack of equal distribution as aesthetically pleasing or artistic. And when these artistically disordered products or media are seen by the public, are they met with more or less appreciation?

Media Log

WeekdayMedia Format Comp Activity Vol/In Vol Work/Rec Time
Car Radio Driving Voluntary Recreational 92min
Internet(multiple med) phone,people, email Voluntary Both 6hrs
Internet Radio(Cross) email,phone, projects Voluntary Recreational 3hr 23mn

WeekendMediaFormat Comp Activity Vol/In Vol Work/Rec Time
TV(multiple med) kids, phone both Recreational 4hrs
Internet movies(cross) kids, phone voluntary Recreational 2hr 18mn
Car Radio Driving,phone Voluntary Recreational 36min

The amont of consumption did not surprise me. I thought it would be more, and perhaps in some circumstances it is. I do not have a set pattern on my media behaviors because my time available is sporadic. I have a very hectic work and home schedule and things change daily. I did notice that my time was much higher in the internet and radio areas mostly because i travel alot and work and manage school assignments via internet.

Hillshire Farms Advertisments~Tamara Minley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5oN4Z0Qe9E&feature=related
Hillshire farms directed at upper class society

http://www.youtube.com/user/mac12g4#p/a/f/1/Z8_wr0tGP_0
Hillshire farms directed at men

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqOXWljSFL4
Hillshire farms directed at mom's and kids

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwJZEKQNd7M&feature=related
Hillshire farms directed at women

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_CmXCU_LKw&NR=1
Hillshire farms directed towards African Americans while spoofing others.

Critique Example for Tonights class - SATC

Article used:

Wignall, Alice. "Can a Feminist Really Love Sex and the City?" guardian.co.uk. The Guardian
Newspaper, 16 April 2008. Web. 2 June 2010.

Welcome to MEDC 5310 Media and Culture Summer 2010

Welcome to MEDC 5310 Media and Culture at Webster University for the Summer 2010 session. My name is Tyann Cherry and I will be your instructor for the term. You will be given a copy of your syllabus at the first class meeting but can download a copy of it as well.

Our class is currently scheduled to meet on Wednesday's from 5:30 - 9:30pm in Sverdrup, Room 254. You can locate a campus map here, The Sverdrup Building is listed as number 8 on this map.

To give you a little background about myself, I am a adjunct faculty member within the School of Communications at Webster University and serve as the Senior Academic Advisor within the WU Academic Advising Center. I hold a BA in Photography and MA in Media Communications both from Webster University. I work extensively with online and graduate students and specialize in online and training communications. I serve as Chair-Elect to the National Academic Advising Association's Distance Education Advising Commission and received a National Certificate of Merit in 2008 recognizing 20 advisor's who have made significant contributions to advising within their first three years. I attended National Conference for Media Reform in 2008 and one of the best parts of that event is that they video archive huge portions of the conference so if you are interested in reform and you haven't checked out Free Press or NCMR you can find it here.

You can find the objectives of the course within the syllabus, but I want to take this opportunity to tell you that I am committed to working with students so they can achieve success. I strongly believe that engagement with technology should be a portion of your learning within the class and will work with you to build skills, expand your research framework and meet your program requirements. We will use this blog throughout the course of the term and if you take a look back over the previous posts you will see examples of ideas we will build upon over the course of the term.

Students who are nervous or concerned about technology should not shy away from this course. If it is necessary we will schedule optional lab times where I will work with students to help them access their course tools and information.

I look forward to working with each of you!

Tyann Cherry
cherry@webster.edu
Office Phone: 314.246.7556
Office Hours: By Appointment

Another New Social Networking Site

I don't know if anyone has heard or been a part of foursquare, but it is the newest addition to the social networking family. It seems similar to twitter and facebook, but puts a spin on the idea by giving members points which then ranks them among other members. It also focuses more on connecting people on a local level. Here is where you can find more information:

http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/25745.asp

Culture Code

Below are the two commercials which I have presented last class:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ-riRpbWGs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFZf3UXtuXE&feature=related

Bart Decrem to speak @ Webster University

In class last night I mentioned that the School of Business and Technology will be hosting a speaker who has achieved success creating iPhone apps.

Bart Decrem is currently the CEO of Tapulous which produced "Tap Tap Revenge" a hugely successful music game series for the iPhone. He has previously worked as head of Marketing and Business Affairs for Mozilla and was a founder and CEO of Flock.

According to the SBT info Decrem will be speaking not only about past successes but also about the debut of his latest app "Riddim Ribbon" which is already breaking sales records.

You can RSVP for the event here.

Read more about Decrem and see a video of his latest apps debut on the SBT blog.

Crunch Bade profile on Bart Decrem

Washington Post "With One Huge Hit Under Its Belt Tapulous Debuts Another Music Game Series: Riddim Ribbon"

Keep Walking

While I was reading the chapter on the code alcohol, I knew what Rapaille was saying and for the most part I agreed with it, however I found a great commercial for Johnnie Walker that really resonates with the codes for quality and for America and goes against what Rapaille is saying about the code for alcohol. Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO2NYUvirGI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovMbBEZNXuE&feature=related

Quality = It works?

I just saw this commercial again today and I had forgotten what car company it was for, at first when I saw it i thought it was a great example of the code for QUALITY .... IT WORKS, however after I realized what car company it was for, I laughed because now they are in real trouble. Because the message they are sending to the consumer in this ad, is directly contradicted by recent events. Take a look for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vhuXaANaSU

Become one of us by becoming none of us.

When I read Rapaille's section about the PT Cruiser and the code for cars in the United States being Identity I immediately thought of Scion. In their commercials they don't show anything about the performance or specs of the cars. All they show is the potential for customization of the exterior of the car. The Scion brand is all about personalization and showing your identity through the car you drive. Since Toyota, a Japanese company, owns scion I found advertising for the Scion xB in Japan where it's called the Toyota bB.



There are definitely some changes in presentation. The Japanese version shows people enjoying and using the car and doesn't focus solely on the ability to alter the exterior. Toyota created the Scion brand for North America. They created a brand that would align itself with our code, according to the book. Still, I don't know anyone that has customized their scion.  What opinions do you all have of the brand and it's advertising? Has it been effective?

Codes for Beauty and Fat

I must say that I enjoyed Rapaille's " The Culture Code". Although I like the book as a whole, the code Living on the Axis- The Codes for Beauty and Fat. In American culture, women are obsessed with looks and weight. If you look good and are in shape then from the outside it looks as life is good. It is fascinating how women associate being beautiful with a man. It is agreeable that we as women love the compliments of of a man, especially one that we are interested in. When we go out we want to be the prettiest lady that will attract the attention of a man. Because of the culture we live in, we put emphasis on beauty. Some may say it's what's on the inside, but men notice the outside first. It is agreeable with Rapaille that if you get a man to notice you in a way more than sex and you find the beauty in that woman, then you have saved yet another man from being considered an animal, but a better human being. Sure men may disagree with the code, but it is true. American women want to be thin and attractive, and if you lack one or both characteristics then you are not celebrated but discriminated against. Therefore I agree with the code for beauty and fat in America. It digs into the deeper side of reasons why America is so concerned with physical appearance. Igot two ads below based off beauty and being thin. Theses ads validate Americas code of beauty and fat.
Beauty(Beyonce selling direct tv(to men) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jubz1Ini-o
Fat: Special K is always promoting thinness to women-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH-AZDdDC0E
Anyone see the diffrerences? These two are saying men focus on tv and relaxing, while women should focus on appearance and weight. All in all I gree with the code!

Code for Luxury

This is a :30 second Hyundai Sonata spot from the Super Bowl. It depicts Brett Farve still playing in the year 2020 and earning an MVP Award. As Rapaille discusses in Chapter Nine, this commercial denotes America's code for luxury which he describes as "Military Stripes". After all, no NFL player has more 'military stripes' than Brett Farve. Farve comes with a "recognition of goodness" and quality, the same of which Hyundai wants people to believe about it's product

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVYxU1OHumM

While I was reading the chapter on codes for health and youth, Rapaille talks about americans always wanting to feel youthful. I found this great clip of a television commercial that ran for Suave hair products, it really hit the middle aged mom demographic hard showing them how to postpone looking old, if you use there hair products.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nfGQ0FVooU&feature=related

Chapter Five: Revenge of the Giant Face

This is a link to the scene from Inglourious Basterds that I chose to analyze. The production elements in this scene are very bold, from the color, music, lighting. It's almost like the song was written for this movie.

Click Link: Chapter Five

Sex in the City - The Post-it Breakup

This is my favorite show also. The scene posted is a perfect example of women of our culture and how we see things so very different from men. In all her to-do about not understanding why "Burger" her boyfriend did not want to break-up with her face to face. Yet in her behavior it was very clear to the men, is a great reflection of how cultural attitudes toward a particular group, such as women are formed and reinforced. Her flying off the handle, their I'm really scared she has gown crazy look on the guys face, clearly said it all.

The negative reinforcement of cultural myths - regarding who's the father.

I think that in the case of the Maury P. Show's portrayal in his show of helping several couples who may have children together, but are not sure because they have slept around, is a show that over time reinforces the cultural myths (such as it's alright to sleep around and make babies without being married) has become a mythic reality because people really think that is ok to do this, and it is becoming more and more common in various age groups. As the ratings for this show increases, even people who may not agree with this type of lifestyle, are taking time out of their day to watch this trash. How low are our morales.

Media and Popular Culture: You Are Not The Father!

I'm pretty sure that you have heard the infamous phrase on one of the most popular daytime talk shows of all time- Maury Povich. This "popular" program meets the approval of a large number of audiences. Maury is known for his paternity test shows. When watching we know that we will be entertained. I realize that this show has a mass audience and for that they continue to produce theses type of shows. I think this show reflects our culture today. Back in the day the this sort of show would not have gotten any ratings. Nowadays our culture places value and cultural preoccupations on theses type of issues. In our society we would rather watch television about a female having five kids with many men, not knowing who the father is. Therefore do you think our culture's preoccupation will continue to be of sex and infidelity? I think that the media is so open now the the importnce of these issues will remain a high priority and we will continue to see shows like Maury Povichfor years to come.

You Are Not The Father! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQFlmjB0gg8

Framework Example - "Band of Brothers"

This is the media example I am using for this weeks paper. It is the opening scene from episode two "Day of Days" from the HBO Band of Brothers series. I notice that we're talking about media as a reflection of historical context this week, and as far as I'm concerned, "Band of Brothers" is one of the greatest historical reenactment depictions in film history. CURAHEE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c4b0WGWDus

Example Papers Posted

Many of you were interested in being able to view an example of what a strong final paper looks like. Per your request I have included links to three strong final papers for the MEDC 5310 Media and Culture class on the right hand side of the blog. Hopefully this will help you when determining what method of analysis you will use in your final paper. If you have any questions, as always, feel free to contact me.

-Tyann Cherry
Webster University

I was Watching CSI on SPIKE the other day when this commercial came on.



I'm not going to lie, at first i laughed! but after going to YouTube to watch it again i put on my media literacy hat.

-What message does this send about the treatment of animals? its sad that these people see these animals as just another way to attract hot girls. what happens to the puppies? where did they come from?

- the tag line "men don't change. Neither do we." That message elicited a little bit of annoyance, it sends the message that men have only and will only care about getting girl. it says sex and attractiveness is everything. use what ever means necessary to get the dumb emotional girls to fall for you!

- I had a hard time recalling what the product was, I found no connection between the commercial and the product!

ANY THOUGHTS?

All work and no play...

I wanted to share this clip with everyone of the "happy" version of The Shining. It's interesting to see that effects that narration and music can have on an extremely terrifying movie. (I still get the heebee jeebees when walking down long hotel hallways!) It looks like your typical Tom Hanks, Sleepless in Seattle type trailer. But if you have seen The Shining, you know that this is NOT a happy movie. By having an upbeat voiceover that puts a different spin on what the movie is about and playing Peter Gabriel, you get the impression that this is the feel-good movie of the year!

These simple post production changes definitely altered how the movie is perceived.

Here is a link to the real trailer for The Shining: CLICK HERE

Here is the parody/"happy" version:

Did anybody else want to be a Goonie as bad as I did growing up?

Here is a link to a scene from my favorite movie for tomorrow's class. My brother and I watched it every day one summer when I was 8 years old. I probably know 98% of this movie by heart.

The Goonies - Wishing Well

MY FAVORITE MOVIE AS A CHILD!!!

These are just a few of the "Funny Scenes" from Drop Dead Fred, it was my favorite movie when i was younger. IT was the first thing that came to my mind when we were asked to bring in a favorite piece of media. Has anyone else seen it?

Apple Ipad Unvelied

It's official. The Apple "Ipad" Tablet is here. Drool mops not included.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/technology/http://video.nytimes.comhttp://video.nytimes.com/

Where I go to get inspiration

http://www.dezeen.com/

This is one of my favorite design sites. I go there when I need inspiration or just to look at new technology or interesting design. The site brings together the best architecture, design and interiors projects from around the world. Enjoy.

TThomas Favorite Media

Linked below is my favorite piece of media. My favorite show Sex In The City
Scene: The Post-It Breakup
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhjCh6iZ1lI

Spatial Inferences: Family Matters/Who's the Boss

Has anyone ever looked at a television program and thought that the show was actually being filmed in that exact location? Well if if you were like me before becoming a Communication major and paying close attention that wasthe case. I watch much tv and I notice that the outside that we see is just a shot to get connected with the program you are watching. Nowadays I pay attention and notice in some shows they have the exact same things in the shot. For instance the same car or the same man walking by. Now that I notice it is pretty funny, but this type of intference I think is what connects the audience with the program. All I can say is with the right outside shot and the connected interior setting, you'll never know any different. I didn't until we start analyzing things. Listed are a couple of my old time favorites that had spatial intferences, in which I think helped the shows rating. So do you think the spatial intference has an effect on how well a show does?
Family Matters -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYvNiKwWvhk
Who's The Boss -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9PqZkVCUAs

Who was Conan O’Brien Really Targeting?

“The 18-to-34 group is so difficult to attract and the lower half, 18 to 25, is the hardest of all,” said Jack MacKenzie, the president of the millennial strategy program for the research firm Frank N. Magid Associates.

Compounding the problem, said a senior research executive for another company, was the fact that Mr. O’Brien was especially appealing to young men. “And that group doesn’t watch television very regularly,” said the executive, who asked not to be named because his business competes with NBC.

Instead of watching Mr. O’Brien most nights, Mr. MacKenzie said, those young viewers have been watching everything from similar shows like “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central, to cartoons on the “Adult Swim” franchise on the Cartoon Network, and the ever-present array of sports and sports news on ESPN and its sister channels.

In comparison with the 719,000 viewers in the 18-to-34 group that Mr. O’Brien had been averaging, Stephen Colbert on his “Colbert Report,” in the same six- month period in 2009, averaged 746,000 viewers ages 18 to 34. The cartoons on “Adult Swim” — mostly “Family Guy” and “Robot Chicken” — averaged 619,000 of those viewers. ESPN from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., with varied programs that included both live sports events and editions of the highlights show “Sports Center,” averaged 614,000 viewers in that group.

See the rest of the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/25/business/media/25conan.html?ref=television

Upcomming Free Event @ Webster University

FYI - The Success to Significance Dean's Speaker Series is presenting Robert Lachky, retired Chief Creative Office of Advertising at AB. You can find a recent article on Lachky in the St. Louis Business Journal: Scottrade taps Lachky for TV ads

When: Monday, February 1, 2010, 12:00pm*
Where: Sunnen Lounge, University Center

*lunch will be served

You can RSVP to the event here.

If you are an Advertising and Marketing major or are just interested in hearing from someone who played a key role in these ad campaigns (someone actually brought up 'Real Men of Genius' in class) then I strongly encourage you to check out this event.

-Tyann Cherry
Webster University

Supreme Court ruling on Campaign Advertising

Although we haven't directly covered this area yet, I think it's important in the realm of media and culture. The Supreme Court made a new ruling last week on how corporations can contribute to political campaigns. This article from Ad Age denotes how the ruling will affect campaign advertising in the future.

http://adage.com/article?article_id=141633

FCC Tells Wireless Mics to Get off 700MHz Spectrum Band

Related to the discussion about the FCC from the last class.
FCC Tells Wireless Mics to Get off 700MHz Spectrum Band

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission will prohibit hundreds of existing wireless microphone models from being used in the U.S. in five months because they operate in the 700MHz spectrum band, which was auctioned off to mobile voice and broadband carriers in 2008.

The FCC prohibited electronics makers from selling existing devices that operate in the 700MHz spectrum as of Friday in an order issued the same day. Any existing devices broadcasting in the 700MHz band will have to stop operating by June 12, the FCC said.

The main products affected by the ban will be wireless microphones, which have operated without FCC licenses in television spectrum for years. While many wireless microphones operate in lower spectrum bands, and will be able to continue there, the FCC has listedmore than 300 models of wireless microphone and related components from 12 major manufacturers that will no longer be allowed to operate in the 700MHz band after June 12.

To read more click the link at the top.
Posted using ShareThis

Saudi US secret relationship

The house of Saud, is one of the greatest documentaries that I have ever seen about Saudi Arabia, and it relationship with the United States. What makes this documentary interesting is that the secret relationship with the US shaped the Saudi culture in an unbelievable way. I am saying this for a Saudi prospective and my words will not articulate enough, thus view the links below. You will not believe it tell you see it.

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBh31nSWYfo

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo4DbMlSQgs&feature=related

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BegnkgvuRvw&feature=related

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWHgIlLPb4k&feature=related

5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwxSh5s4Jjk&feature=related

6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkg4hd-X59M&feature=related

7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axZAo_aTC5A&feature=related

8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yTX6bxSv3M&feature=related

9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBTPc5lXMUI&feature=related

10. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnTs_4HsoE4&feature=related

11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czZhZj0OU9I&feature=related

12. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I27ZgkkLvXI&feature=related

13. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oV_ZAePD0lk&feature=related

14. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXG0BaxHDVo&feature=related