Congratulations Chevy Competitors!!

I would like to start out by saying congratulations to Anna, Kelly, and LouLou for making it so far in the Chevy Ad competition. I think I can speak for most of us when I say that we are extremely proud of them, and happy that they have represented our school so well.

I have kept up with all of the daily postings made on Lilly’s blog. Because we have people from our own school involved in this competition, it makes the whole event more captivating. Due to this, I, for one, am far more interested in this competition, than I would have been if I didn’t have some form of connection to the competitors.

I am also extremely anxious to watch the reality show that was being filmed during the contest to air on CBS. I think it will give people a chance to see what really happens behind the scenes of commercials and how the ideas are conceived and proposed. Additionally, I believe people will take these contests far more seriously after seeing this show. At the beginning, I just thought this was another silly campaign to get students to do the work for them, and nothing would really come of it. But after reading all the blogs, I realize there is so much hard work, creativity, as well as excitement involved in the whole process.

This is an extremely exciting time for these three students and a great opportunity for San Jose State to finally make it on the national scale. I cannot wait to watch the show, and am even more excited to see who won. I’m sure the commercial that airs will be great, whether it’s our team or another, but either way, I’m proud of team SJSU’s accomplishments! So on a final note, I would like to congratulate Anna, Kelly, and LouLou one last time and I am greatly anticipating the finale to this great story!

The Big Game Advertisements

Super Bowl Sunday: two teams, thousands of fans, one stadium. The media coverage is phenomenal and the game can be extremely intense. The half time show is entertaining, and can often times takes unexpected turns (Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction”). Yet, as enticing as all this is, there is only one thing about the Super Bowl that has become the most anticipated aspect of the game: the commercials. Over the years, these 30-second clips have essentially changed the way of advertising. One of the most surprising factors of the commercials, are the continuously increasing prices. According to a CNN article , a 30-second commercial spot for the 2006 Super Bowl cost anywhere from $2.5 million to $2.6 million, which is a new record high. As high as these prices rise, companies will seemingly always be willing to pay for their ads to be aired. The Super Bowl is one of the most watched events on television all year, therefore, it is a wise investment for companies to partake in.
The commercials attempt to be informational, yet the more creative, and humorous the commercials are, the more effective they are to the consumers. Super Bowl advertising seems to have a greater affect on the viewers if the commercial is extremely appealing. Super Bowl commercials keep the fans entertained, yet sometimes the viewers watch the Super Bowl solely for the ads.
The commercials are talked about for days after the Super Bowl and hold high standards for future ads. Surprisingly, the game is slowing taking a back seat to the advertisements that separate the plays.

Billboards: Smart or Simply Distracting?

As I was aimlessly driving around this weekend, I couldn’t help but notice all of the billboards along the side of the road. These displayed advertisements for anything and everything, such as beer (the most common), grocery stores, automobiles, hospitals, and safety. They projected a different message, yet each had one thing in common: the billboards were being used to relay a message to the masses. It is a wise method of advertisement considering the number of people who view these roadside decorations on a daily basis. Whether it is a public safety warning stating “Click it or Ticket” or a brief listing of the reasons to buy Toyota’s 2007 4Runner, they were eye-catching and possibly persuasive.
Yet, the longer I drove, the more I found myself trying to read all the billboards, which became extremely distracting. Although I concluded that this is a wise source of advertisement, I also decided, it could potentially be the most dangerous. The billboards are so attractive and draw in so much attention from people who are supposed to be focusing on driving. Unfortunately, many people are easily distracted and these massive colorful signs are the perfect thing to divert their attention to.
I strongly agree that billboards are a great source of mass media. They are extremely eye-catching, which is very distracting. Therefore, I must ask which is more important: relaying an easily forgotten message, or keeping our protecting our lives by focusing on the road?

15 Minutes of Fame

As I was changing the channels aimlessly tonight, I could not help but notice all of those unimportant television shows that people subject themselves to. Everything from Fear Factor and Blind Date, to MTV’s Next and Parental Control caught my eye and seem to be taking over the television. It surprises me that people have the time to faithfully watch these irrelevant shows, but the more surprising issue is the fact that people actually apply to be on these shows. There is little to no personal gain from being on these shows, yet so many people are interested in performing the ridiculous acts that are required to appeal to an audience. People are willing to sacrifice their dignity for a chance at their 15 minutes of fame.
Our society revolves around the need for attention and public approval. These shows provide us with the opportunity to be self-absorbed and attain the attention that we desire. The attention can be positive or negative, depending on how is related through the media.
Often times, people try to use these useless shows to boost their career in the entertainment business, yet fall short of achieving their desired recognition.
These insignificant shows provide the opportunities for desperate individuals to showcase their scripted talents. Unfortunately, their 15 minutes of fame quickly expire, leaving them with the same attention seeking predicament they began with.

No Longer Taboo

Television has played a great role in the lives of many Americans for decades. There have been thousands of T.V. aired, yet few made a significant impact on its viewers. There are many important televisions programs, but three stand out among them: All in the Family, I Love Lucy, and Roseanne. These shows touched on issues that Americans typically ignored and brought new light to “unacceptable” ideas. First off, All in the Family was extremely important in terms of addressing racial and political issues. It shows the ideals and opinions of white supremacy during the 1970’s. It depicts racism at its highest point, during the African American movements and suffrage rights. It talks about politics and racism, as well as addresses the major issues in the 70’s. Another important television show is I Love Lucy. This black and white comedy was one of the first shows to promote the idea of biracial relationships. Lucy was white and Ricky was Cuban, and their relationship on and off screen helped convert the American views of interracial relationships. As well, I Love Lucy depicted the power of women and the key roles they play in society. It presented the idea that women were capable or working and managing a family. Roseanne also remains one of the most important television shows. It was one of the first shows to depict the true problems of families in America. It touched on issues such as sex, debt, affairs, unemployment, and numerous other family problems that were often hidden by the public. Roseanne did not show the typical upper class, picketed fence, white American family. It touched on numerous taboo topics of its time and opened the door for other shows relaying the same messages. These three shows have helped shaped our society’s view on certain issues and addressed topics that needed to be recognized. Although there have been numerous important television shows, there are few that have such a major impact.

Man of the Hour

Howard Stern hosts the Howard Stern Show, which is broadcasted daily on Satellite radio. For years, he has filled his show with highly controversial issues, and he never fails to shock people with his brutally honest opinions. Although his show is controversial, he remains one of the highest paid radio personalities and has made a name for himself in the broadcasting industry.
Not knowing a lot about him, I did a little research and found that Howard Stern was elected to Time Magazine’s: The People who shape our world, he is one of the most influential celebrities in the world, coming in at #7 on the Forbes 2006 Celebrity 100. So I began to wonder how a man with such a controversial show can be so influential. After much contemplation, I concluded that he remains so popular because he isn’t afraid to take risks. He addresses issues that are often overlooked and his humor appeals to many people. He is a smart businessman when it comes to the broadcasting world and knowing what the listeners like to hear. Yet, his move from FM to Satellite radio was not a wise decision. Although he has a strong fan base, few were willing to make the move with him, which hurt his ratings. Although he has weaker ratings, his shows filled with unruly humor and contentious topics continue to be popular. He has set a mark in the broadcasting industry and paved the way to a more open-minded audience. Howard Stern was able to make the radio a strong medium for communications through his controversial program. Although he’s had a tough transition from FM to Satellite radio, Howard Stern still remains extremely popular on the radio and extremely influential in the broadcasting world.

"Lonesome Rhodes" Lead to Lonely Days

Elia Kazan’s 1957 DGA nominated movie, “A Face in the Crowd” is soon turning 50 years old and this classic is definitely making its comeback. As I watched this film recently, I noticed a remarkable relevance to today’s culture. Marcia Jefferies (Patricia Neal) brings her broadcast to a small, local jail. Shortly into her program, she discovers an outspoken, Arkansas hobo, Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes (Andy Griffith). His candid outbursts and contagious laugh attract the public and he is shot into superstardom. Jefferies is pulled to the top with her newfound star, but she is the only person capable of keeping him sane once he becomes bigheaded with his popularity. Throughout the film, Lonesome becomes obsessed with his power over the public and his once sought after laughter turns to arrogance.

Through “A Face in the Crowd”, Kazan depicts the types of people that are seen all over the media. We can relate his characters from this classic to the media moguls that we see in our society today. Some stars often abuse their power over the public and act in inappropriate ways. Others get their “15 minutes of fame” and think that they can rule the world. In the end, this behavior is positively received and rejected by our society. It is hard for a movie to teach us such a strong lesson, but it is rare that such a classic can still have such an impact and relevance to current society. Even after 50 years, “A Face in the Crowd” continues to engage its viewers, while teaching an important lesson.

Cosmo Baby!

I am a faithful reader of Cosmopolitan. I buy the newest issue the minute it hits the stands and dedicate plenty of time to reading every article that the magazine has to offer. What amazes me though, is the masses of people, especially women, that are devoted to this magazine. Almost every one of my friends either owns or has read the latest issue of Cosmo. The magazine’s primary target audience is women in their late teens, 20’s and 30’s.
Cosmopolitan appeals to so many people because the articles in the magazine are relatable and offer advice that people are afraid to ask for. Yet, it would not be appropriate for younger ages because of the sexual content that has come to be expected in each issue. It touches on subjects that many women like to discuss, such as fashion, gossip, and sex. Cosmopolitan is known for giving advice that many women inquire about, but typically are embarrassed to ask. The articles are captivating because they relate to women’s issues and personal lives.
The impact that this magazine has on people is incredible. Not only are the articles insightful, but also the advertisements are extremely persuading. Cosmopolitan is looked to for advice and has a reputation for knowing what is “in”. Therefore, the ads in Cosmo can influence its readers to buy the latest products that are being advertised. The typical ads consist of clothes, make up and hair products, accessories, and woman necessities, which all appeal to women’s needs. Cosmopolitan has an irreplaceable affect on society and its readers. It may not be the most educational magazine, but it can be insightful and is extremely entertaining.

Living Through Video Games

Dawn of War. Doom. Mortal Combat. Battlestations: Midway. Destroy All Humans! 2. These are merely a few among the thousands of video games that are sold worldwide. But these video games all have one thing in common: they are based upon war and violence, along with hundreds of other violent games.
Our society is greatly influenced through all forms of media. One form of media that has an affect on its users is video games. The video games include all kinds of content and material that is suitable for all ages. Yet, the context of each game affects the users and impacts their decisions or behaviors. Unfortunately, most games primarily appeal to children. Some of the most popular games involve some type of violence, which unconsciously teaches children violence at a young age. Boys, primarily, exposed to this violence through video games, subjects them to be more violent as they grow up. Our society neglects the fact that video games can hold such an impact on children.
Video games have become increasingly popular, yet they are rarely looked at as a form of media. These games relay messages to its users and are able to influence them in many different ways. Whether its violence, or car racing, the users get ideas from the games they play, and act on these ideas in real life. We need to rethink about the messages being sent in the video games, and aim them more towards positive messages, because video games have such an impact on society.