VT fo Erutuf Eht

As the promp mentioned, Television as a whole is changing. DVRs, TiVo, Internet TV, illegal YouTube and LimeWire, and other television stations online broadcasting programming has ultimately forced networks to rethink their advertising strategies for commercials.

Ultimately, for my own sake, I find it utterly annoying to have [what seems] as much programming as commercials during my favorite time slot. CBS Monday Night is a familiar culprit of such atrocities: while watching Big Bang Theory, I find myself doing homework or channel surfing for onwards up to five minutes. For example, the majority of preparation of this blog was written during commercial breaks during CBS Monday Night programming.

Though I find product placement a cheap and [frankly] desperate way to get advertising across to a viewer, I am willing to bet that any viewer would rather see an increase in properly used product placement and less commercials between programs and program scenes than more "enriched" advertisements during a break. I think cheaper prices and going rates for advertisements will also help advertisers get products into script easier and find more effecient means of displaying those images.

Furthermore, I agree with the idea of telling a viewer ahead of time that the commercial break will only be x minutes long. To me, that seems to be like a mutual agreement between the advertiser, programmer, and myself that simply means that I am willing to watch the commercial and let it be absorbed (or whatever emotion I feel toward it) if the advertisement does not distract me from my sole purpose of viewing: watching my show. If an advertisement, such as those on Comcast's FanCast, a program viewing site, were to say something like "this will only be 90 seconds of your precious time...", I will acknowledge that that ad company is trying to make a profit/living yet respecting my values as a consumer. I think many viewers will be far more agreeable to terms and more likely to buy products from said companies if they were to switch to this method of advertising because as a consumer, I would feel more appreciated.

slush on decks.

Bret Michaels

Although I am a Poison fan, I am not obsessed with Bret Michaels. Some said he was a good man, but Lord I think he sinned. However, seeing as how this entry is OPEN and that the current song playing is "Ev'ry Rose Has Its Thorn", I felt it fitting to open with that. Also, Bret Michaels is coming to Moondance Jam^(trademark) this July in Walker, MN; after seeing that advertisement for it, I thought it was dually fitting to choose such an inspiration to blog.

Just like every Prom has its dawn, the letdown can be quite excruciating. I did find it quite amusing that seemingly every event/situation I was involved in dealt with some sort of product placement or advertising gimic....

I awoke at 6:00 AM to ready myself for my work meeting. The radio, both in the car and during breakfast, had varying advertisements. Only one ad actually caught my attention: ProFlowers^(trademark) was talking about flowers for mother's day, and I was only then remembering that I was supposed to pick up my flowers for that night after work. (As it turned out, I did get some flowers for my mom while I was picking up the flowers for Prom just because a sign on the cash register at Renaissance Floral mentioned something about Mother's day as well.)

All while at the meeting, some of the training videos and operation-change clips were basically straight-up ads. Though none of them made me want to buy any products, they did make me feel better about the changes that were to occur within the company and the store. Was there any bias? Of course there was. It was a video advertisement made by Best Buy itself. But hey, it gave me something to believe in, especially during these economic times.

At the conclusion of the meeting, one of my coworkers, who also works part-time at Perkins, was complaining about how she had to work both jobs that day. The name Perkins began to activate the salivary glands in my mouth as Classic Conditioning made me remember the tasty foods associated with that name. So a few co-workers joined me at Perkins for a pancake breakfast and nothing but a good time telling juicy, gossipy work stories.

Later, while I was putting on my tux, I found the salesperson had slipped a coupon for a "Free $20 off the next Tux rental", so I gave it my dad since he was going to go to a coworker's wedding in the upcoming weeks. I stopped and thought about it for a second--"free" did not mean free, as it clearly stated in the fine print "with values greater than $100", and that that weasel word was one that could get a ton of people. I, as an aware consumer, realized this, chuckled to myself, and said to the mirror I was dressing in front of, "I've never seen you look so good!"

After picking up my date in my old man's ford, almost losing my wallet behind those bushes, calling my dad for more more money, we were on our way. I listened to my favorite song playing on the radio while we were driving to dinner, and the DJ said something about this restaurant downtown--I didn't catch the name--having a "Date eats free night", where it was basically buy one meal get the other free. The people I was driving immediately regretted our current plans for Osaka that night, but as the commercial continued, the date was not for the correct day anyway. Still, I thought it was successful advertising, basing the emotional appeal of exhilaration and food in an ad that caught everyone's attention.

There were various other subtle advertising ploys throughout the night that I noticed or only subconciously noticed. The final instigation of advertising I saw was a bit terrifying--as I was driving home past curfew, since I still have 24 days left of childhood, a highway patrol began following me home. As I was battling to stay awake and concentrate on driving, I suddenly noticed the patrol fly around me and pull over a jeep a few blocks ahead. As I drove precautiously by the scene, I saw a logo for Bremer banking firm on the driver door. Seeing as though he was not speeding, I could only surmise that he had stolen a company car and was using it for his own purposes. Told me not to ever use a service where company cars are readily stolen. When I pulled into my street, while still shaking from the patrol following me, a car's familiar bumper sticker that used to say "Jesus Saves" reassured (through religious advertising/media) my "something" I believed in.

Blog #6: Korova Milkbar

This weekend, I had the unique opportunity to view a "viddy" of the old age. Until this blog topic helped me realize that product placement is a relatively new concept (since the early eighties), I figured it was just a part of movie making. I thought movie making relied on this advertisement funding to help better their sets. As I discovered, movies apparently were made without product placement and thrived...

As teenagers, our counter-cultural (not counter-culture, for some of us do believe in work and war) bias and attitudes tend to align themselves with my generation's abhorrance and ridicule of product placement. (I mention counter-cultural because as noted in an advertising documentary where teens were told to define "cool," teenagers will abhor the idea of proclaiming or even defining/labeling "cool"--it is more of an elusive force that one is either a part of or apart from it. This counter-cultural idea suggests that no matter what the masses suggest is a good product, through advertising, teenagers will counter those examples and find a new trendy "cool".)

As if advertising is trying to play a game of hide-and-seek with teenagers, ads must become disguised and readily hidden if a teenager is going to buy into it. Literally. If an ad agency makes a product as clear as an azure sky of deepest summer, a teenager is going to cry foul and revolt (as the hippies once did) against the masses of corporate ads.

In the years before product placement, simple scenes such as a bartender pouring a beer would have clear glasses without brand names on the beer or other drinks. Clothes were generally more bland, particularly in favor of stripes or more "dressed-up" apparel. No one ever criticized a show for making product placement on the account that it just did not exist.

Today, product placement is an insidious droog that, if not subtle, will have the negative effect on teenagers. A classic example of product placement that was used for satire was the scene in Wayne's World. This comic suggestion of advertisements puts the movie on the side of the viewers, as if the movie were saying "We disagree with product placement in our movies, and we agree with YOU, the viewer!" This subtle yet obvious "alliance" with viewers, predominantly teenagers, only engrains the product further into one's gulliver.

Blog #5: The Indigestion of the Media

Since the media can basically penetrate every orfus of our body, if we so permit it, we must realize first that certain mediums of "media message travel" are more potent and prevalent than others. The most frequently abused medium that I utilize would be the radio; naturally, it would deem a worthy medium with to begin.

Radio commercials target specifically the demographics that most frequently listen to that particular station (e.g., you would not hear a trojan condom advertisement 98.5 KTIS, etc). Likewise, the time of day also plays a significant role in the content of the ads: I found myself humming the "Five Dollar Foot-Long" song from Subway in class the other day. Despite my abhorrance to that commercial, the annoyingly agglutinative jingle stuck with me the rest of the day. Jingles for food items such as that enhance the Decision Making Unit (Behavioral Variable) absorbed by the customer. Basically, if someone is driving, working, or whatnot and happens to be going on several hours without a meal, the almost fat-saturated Big Mac becomes a delectable entity that is that person's choice for food. In addition, commercials such as these expediate the readiness to buy these products. Advertisers will also assume that many radio listeners are driving; therefore, if they make their claim for a product purchase immenant and accessible enough, a consumer could theroetically continue driving to that particular store.

Because radio is commonly the "blind medium," it must make a product's functionality and product attributes much more clear, concise, and memorable. Though people deny it readily, every person actually has some degree of a photographic memory. If a TV is on mute during a commercial, a person may view a promo for an upcoming movie but not hear about it. Yet, if that person happens to be anywhere else and see either one of the lead actors or some part of the movie in print or on display in public (poster, billboard, etc.), they will automatically be that much more inclined to see that movie because the photographic memory will enhance the "remembrance" of that product through association, more commonly known as Classical Conditioning. With radio, they have to assume that you will listen to ads, and with catchy jingles, famous voices, or familiar radio station hosts, a person can relate on a more local level with certain products and markets. And since many radio spots are 60 seconds or less, they must establish enough info and "pizzaz" to invite consumers into the respective retail stores or businesses where they can then demonstrate all of the other product attributes to the consumer.

Continuing on the driving theme, since television viewing is nearly impossible with work and unnecessary assignments such as these (hell, it's almost midnight), billboards are an intriguing form of advertising that is unique in its own way. Specifically, product attributes are rare on billboards unless weasle-word/vague "attributes" are given to the product. An example of this could be Questdex.com: "Fast, Convenient, Easy"... these are all relative propaganda terms that could range from referring to the actual website (given a high-speed connection, with that page bookmarked) or the actual obtaining of the information on the site. To a car passing on a highway going 70mph, a driver will not really think about it too deeply. The visual aspect (as mentioned earlier with the photographic memory) is almost subliminal because of the assumed rate of cars driving on that road. Advertisers do not expect us to watch full-length commercials on billboard stands because it would cause more accidents than bailout-enhanced insurance companies could afford. For this reason, a quick glance at a "slogan" or image of some person/product may be instantaneous to our immediate memory, but to our "hard drive" in our subconscience, it is a now a permanent commercial.

This week alone, after I have seen signs on my way to work, I find myself pondering over the need/want of the actual product advertised when I have down time. It was not until the writing of this blog that I realized that the billboards had subliminally engrained product "want" into my brain. The psychological techniques of conviction and awareness due to the billboards helped me indefinitely consider the product multiple times.

Through both these mediums, they both have significantly different means of how they affect me. I must say, a radio commercial has the equivalent of a billboard when I am not really paying attention to it: the commercial becomes a mind-numbing subliminal message that I inturn remember and process later. The billboards do the same. Likewise, for any billboard to be effective, certain word phrasings (simplicity is the best) and image placements can make or break a whole product or industry. To close, the movie I Love You Man had a scene where the main character's best friend made billboards of the main character to help his house sales. Some of these images were very doctored and erroneous (hilarious as well), but the point was that a billboard out of the ordinary will be noticed and paid more attention to, as in real life. However, for both billboards and radio, the main objective is to draw the customer into the store--it is there that attributes, risks, and other benefits are displayed.

Blog #4

How do the media images & stereotpyes of men & women impact how we view each other professionally (at school, at work, in politics, etc.)?

Though the above picture lacks recent evidence, it does illustrate a commonality portrayed by the media--the images of stereotyping gender roles in our society. Professionally speaking, Abraham Lincoln is depicted here as a stoic leader of a great nation who may quite be the epitomy of justice, fairness, and a "real" man in the mid 1800s (though the Confederate states will disagree with me.) At the same time Abe is looking rugged and fetchingly, his wife is also looking strangely at ease yet with a hidden anxiousness. What possible anxiousness could a First Lady who is married to a Civil War, to-be-assassinated President feel? How about a lack of her own voice.

In today's world, sadly, we are not far off from those days of White male dominated society. In fact, many will argue we still are in a culture that is still dominated by white rich males. Just the same, white males in the middle age in a work place are considered the "stabilizers" or the "rock" of a corporation: still hard-working (not too old), still innovative, experienced, and well to do with the world (probably having a family so they know how to deal with life's worst situations.)

On the contrary, many middle-aged women in the professional work place are seen as "are you really still working here?" or "you must have no family or husband, right?" Unfortunately, the worst of all these cultural biases are involved with the view and images of teenage girls in junior high and high school. Junior high especially can be extremely detrimental or influential on girls. When both sexes enter junior high, their biological clocks begin to chime and their emotional stability and "sexual confidence" is very impressionable.

Since over 13% of all 7th grader boys could not honestly tell you their sexual orientation, it is highly likely that these males will lach on to the nearest "manly" or "real man" thing that is available to them. At that age, since most sexually explicit movies and shows are not available to their access, they absorb the media's violence as a way to show that they really are "men" and not something weak or pathetic. (Not that I am suggesting that men are animals, but this is a ritualistic endeavor by many mammalian species for adolescent males is to be engulfed in violence, whether it is through play, such as lion cubs, or violent video games.) Therefore, from a biological standpoint, since sexual development and natural male "violence" attraction many times come hand-in-hand with many mammals, I will argue that the need for teenage boys to find a strong male figure or model in their lives is extremely crucial. Unfortunately, I blame the media for using this natural process to its advantage by stereotyping the violence as an integral part of development, when in reality, the natural process does not actually need external additions of violence to a developing adolescent male.

Similarly, I put all blame on the media for making the "respected" image of teenage girls the way it is today. Never in nature is a super skinny, sluttily-dressed girl considered "respected"; yet somehow, our culture feels that a thin woman representing a submissive character flaw (one that would not stand up to a large, burly male) is considered advantageous to the woman! How backwards are we!?! In an exercise of futility, the women are told that being industrious and basically being a person is not an effective way to live life. Women gained suffrage in the 1920s; however, the media's image of women simply being submissive, sex-crazy objects to men clearly spit in the face of the gains of the 20s. Just the same, industrious women are considered "female dogs", and female politicians are seen similarly and ones that cannot make rational decisions because they are too involved with emotions to be effective leaders.

To Honest Abe, I would bet that he would think differently of the roles of women in his time if he had a longer time to live. In addition, that stoic leader of social progress seen above would probably cry if he saw the little gains of women stereotypes in our society today.

Blog #3: TV and America? Who knew?

Television show: The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory is a television show that exemplifies the life of incredibly intelligent "geeks" who have a neighbor who is extremely attractive and is contrary to their "nerdy" persona. The conflict between male, intelligent, nerd-based logic versus female intuition and loving nature is what gives the show its humor.

Achievement and success is displayed through the occupations of the nerds' occupations; contrary to the successes, the failures of the love escapades of the one character of Leonard liking the attractive Penny also are enhanced in the program. One of the main characters, Sheldon, values his scientific work as an important asset to his performance and lifestyle. All of the "nerds" exemplify a sense of practicality and effeciency when dealing with every matter in the show, especially as shown in "Halo Night." Leonard is trying to break away from nerd stereotype and create Progress in his life and send it in a new direction. Though material comfort is not always obvious, it is important to note that material comfort in this show is represented through purchases of items such as a replica time machine from a movie. Despite being nerds, the four men have accepted that fact and promote individualism through embracing it fully. Unlike in a restrictive, governmental country, the men are able to pursue whatever scientific achievement they want and have the freedom to do so fully. Without a doubt, the men adhere to the conformity of nerds--the succinct ways of living so precisely as a nerd. Leonard will show his humanitarianism to Penny in her every need as he seems almost desperate of her attention. Despite the attempted maturity of scientists, the men demonstrate their youthfulness through Halo nights and one character, Howard Wallowitz, still lives with his mother.

The show demonstrates to audiences that, though superior intelligence is one to be mocked and can potentially be hilarious, intelligence is one to be celebrated despite the struggles of social awkwardness. That same struggle is one of freedom and individualism in that society does not have to adhere to social norms acceptable only through the uneducated but also through those of the educated [and highly educated.]

Blog #2

Media has once again seemed to penetrate every fabric of our lives (see "What is Media?"), especially the private and sacred parts. So why does it matter to us if we are to be consumed by the media anyway?

Just as a pushy salesperson paid on commission will practically prostrate him or herself to a customer for a purchase, so also do the militant media making sure their mastery of our minds are outright and encompassing. Hell, something for the media has to pay the rent. The media is unfortunately NOT a free enterprise, and its only means for obtaining payments is through the consumer. Therefore, it can be argued by any entrepreneur that knowing what the public wants rather than simply asking it is more advantageous and beneficial to the both the business (more profits, less unnecessary costs) and the consumer (to not feel haranged or annoyed by people asking of their opinions.)

However, what the video footage displayed sickened me--how selfish can any person, organization, or entity be that it must exploit children even when they privately go to the bathroom!? Is it ultimately that necessary for children to know what brand of diaper is better? In my mind, it seems that the consumer here is the parent; in that case, durability and cost management seems pertinent to the diaper issue. I will also concede that certain designs on said diapers (for giggles, let's just say Barney is implicated) will enhance or deter the "fondness" of the toddlers using them and those who are watching the implicated characters' television programs. Some of that funding does not need to come directly from the consumer but from the television show itself and some of its sponsors.

In addition, does it take a rocket scientist to know which Spanish-laced program [say, between Dora the Explorer or Rio Bravo] relates better to children? No! Depending on the demographic targeted, Huggies can avoid any wasteful or distasteful methods for obtaining which brands children enjoy simply by asking for daytime television ratings or walking into a TOYS 'R' US.

After all, 360 degree immersion marketing and exploitation are not keys to good learning, Disney. Success and education will help future children and generations become who they want to be, not what the media trains them to be. Nonetheless, the media can try to persuade the masses that their methods for obtaining knowledge is completely ethical--but they're not fooling anyone. After all, in the immortal words of Mitch Hedberg, "I know a lot about cars: I can look at a car's headlights and tell you exactly which way it's coming." Clearly, the media is frankly more obvious than they will elusively admit.