FINAL MEDIA BLOG POST :(

          In this modern age, media exposure is just another daily cycle, one hardly thinks about. With all this media absorption, we are slowly being molded to how the people on the television want us to be. Before writing these media blogs, texting, watching television, and surfing the web were all just part of a daily routine. Now that I actually pay attention to my media use, I realize that without it, my life would be a lot different. Many of my hobbies involve some sort of media, whether its texting, email, or online games, not a day went by where I didn't do one of those activities.
          One day, after writing some blogs, I tried to go a whole day without any form of media, and I just couldn't manage it. That's when I realized that it is an addiction, with us from our early days. Commercials are the reason I buy the many things I own, and after looking back at my media blogs, and those long, extensive lectures you gave us, I realized I was but another victim to the many traps of target needs and techniques. For example, I have this lotion I bought, which I don't even need. I bought it because the commercial was so convincing, and targeted some important needs to me at the time, so I went ahead and foolishly bought this, falling into the consumer-trap. I am now wary of buying new products, and I double-check to make sure I actually need this, and I'm not just buying this because the media told me to do so.
          For these reasons, it is very important to have media literacy, and be an educated consumer, so you are aware of the subliminal messages being sent to you. These media blogs kept me aware and refreshed about media, and its affect on me, like what I buy and how I act and dress, and without them I may have forgotten. Writing these media blogs have ingrained into me head the importance of being aware of the world around me, as well as the massive effect media has on everyone, though many do not know it.

MEDIA BLOG ENTRY NUMBER 8

     Skittles are a well known candy company, and when I saw this advertisement, I was not dissapointed, as they continually have interesting advertisements and commercials. This advertisement was in a random magazine I picked up while waiting for the dentist, a bit ironic if you ask me. Anyway, the first thing when I flipped to this page were the extremely bright colors, which popped out.

The bright colors were a great way to grab anybodies attention, as even the person sitting next to me glanced at the very contrasting colors. Also, the words on the advertisement read "If people's fists were made out of Skittles, being hit in the mouth would be delicious", followed by their slogan of "Feel the rainbow. Taste the rainbow." This was wit and humor, as the idea of getting punched in the face and enjoying it is indeed very comical. Also, the psychological need for food was being used, as Skittles are a very tasty, albeit unhealthy, snack.

This advertisement made me crave for some skittles on the spot, especially with the knowledge that after my dentist appointment, I wouldn't be able to eat anything for a while. The combination of bright colors and funny words were enough to convince me to ask my mom to buy some on the way home, just so I can look at them hungrily.

MEDIA BLOG ENTRY NUMBER 7

     The attractive woman in the background of this advertisement is what made me stop and take the time to read this. When i first glanced at it, I thought the lady was to attract men to read it, but when I took the time to fully understand what they were selling, they were actually using the women to show others how good they can look if they simply use this product. Also, the NO WAY on the palm of her hand made me want to know NO WAY what.

     The stunning woman in the advertisement was used as an example of how people can look if they buy and use this product: a hair treatment shampoo. This narrows the target market profile to females, and with only a Caucasian woman in the background, possibly even narrowing it down to Caucasian white women. A major need targeted by this commercial is the need for attention. The women who want to gain more attention just need to start using this hair treatment, and within days will be showered with attention. A testimonial is also used for this, as in the bottom right corner it says "Official hair sponsor of the US Synchronized Swim Team". This makes their product that much better, and they were sponsors of a winning team, and this might even use the need to achieve, as the swimmers who used this hair treatment won, and so may you if you use this product.

     The technique of Magic Ingredients is also very prominent in this advertisement, as the magical ingredient, Infusium 23, is made up of "proteins and vitamins" used to stay in your hair longer, and keep it healthier and looking better. There are facts and data present, with the statement that "Every time you rinse out your hair treatment, you rinse out 95% of what you put in." However, this new product does not wash out 95%, though it refrains from saying how much is actually lost when someone rinses out their hair.

     There is NO WAY anyone can not be convinced by this advertisement, as the producers use a wide variety of needs and techniques, and if one doesn't get you, the other will.

MEDIA BLOG ENTRY NUMBER 6

     Whenever I have free time, which is rare considering I'm in HISP, I usually browse Youtube, searching for a video to keep me entertained. I recently came upon a music video called "Dumb Ways To Die". I noticed it had an extreme amount of views, so I watched it and was instantly singing along to the catchy tune. This video, I learned at the end, was actually a commercial from the Metro train station to be safe around train tracks, stating that dying by "crossing the train tracks" is a dumb way to die as "dressing up like a moose during hunting season". This was probably the most interesting commercial I have seen, and it was effective in getting it's message across to any viewers.

     The song was very catchy from the start, beginning with "set fire to your hair" as a dumb way to die, which to me is a pretty dumb way to die. The song then proceeds to list several other dumb ways to die, every few dumb ways to die split by a chorus of "Dumb ways to die, So many dumb ways to die" The song lists some pretty outrageous ways to die in the beginning of the song, but gets to the point at the end, with the last three ways to die being solely train-related. I think the wacky ways to die in the beginning were used as a hook, to interest the viewers. I asked my brother, who also watched this video, if he would have watched this if it was only about train safety. He replied instantaneously with a "No". I then asked him if he watched it because of all the crazy stunts in the beginning, and he replied with a "Yes". I found myself unconsciously agreeing with him, because I felt the video would be too boring if not for the odd ways to die. The way it was formatted worked well because the viewers were too interested to stop watching, and the message was relayed in the end to everyone.

     The constant, up-beat tone throughout the video makes this a more cheerful video, as opposed to another approach of a sadder video. I think this happier tone worked a lot better because, and I can confirm this with personal experience, many people will sing along during the duration of the video, and long after. While going about my daily life, I caught myself humming this tune several times, and reinforcing the idea to stay safe around train structures, as if I was brainwashed after watching the video. This video was a very effective PSA, public service announcement, or commercial, and will most likely keep more accidents from happening. I wouldn't be surprised if I visited a train station one day, and several people were singing or humming this song, while staying a safe distance from the tracks.

Media Blog Post Number 5

     Last night, I decided to pick up a Sunset magazine and take a look inside. While skimming through the magazine, I happened to stop on this advertisement for Johnsonville, a sausage-producing company. I read this over several times, and I noticed several interesting things within this advertisement, all while staring hungrily at the mouthwatering picture of the delicious plate of pasta in the middle of the advertisement.

     Firstly, the advertisement states their chicken sausage has 50% less fat more than once. This could be too get the message across to the readers, and possible consumers, that this product is a lot healthier than other brands of sausages, while still remaining delicious, with the 100% Johnsonville taste. With the 50% less fat, people would feel better about buying this specific sausage, thinking that they are eating healthier by buying this. This is especially effective on people who are conscious about their weight. Even if you aren't too worried about your weight, the 100% Johnsonville taste will encourage any other readers to buy this, with their unique, delectable taste. This advertisement also states that  these sausages are made with "naturally lean chicken", or a "blend of chicken with the freshest cuts of pork". The producers of this advertisement are further reinforcing the idea that their sausages are of the highest quality, with pristine ingredients.

     Also, these sausages are "perfectly seasoned with a taste your family will love". This might encourage any mothers or fathers to buy this sausage to be a key ingredient in a dinner the whole family can enjoy. This statement widens the target market range by including anyone who has, or is in a family. They say that everyone in a family can enjoy it, so perhaps those who aren't in a family may not get the same kick out of eating this as those who are in a family might.

     This advertisement obviously uses the psychological need for food, because this whole advertisement is trying to get you to buy their sausages to eat when you get hungry. The large image pasted right in the middle of the advertisement does a good job at making people hungry and giving a good example as to what their product might be used for. Overall, this advertisement was effective for me because the combination of the "perfect ingredients" and the delicious looking image made me crave for some Johnsonville sausages.

MEDIA BLOG POST NUMBER 4

      "It's only weird if it doesn't work." That is the motto recently used for the Bud Light beer commercials. When I watch football with my brother and dad every Sunday, this commercial never fails to appear. This commercial is a favorite of ours, and every time I think of football, I always end up thinking about Bud Light beer, however briefly.

     Many fans of different teams are all anxiously awaiting a game-changing field goal. As they do so, they are all fiddling with their good luck charms, performing lucky rituals, or turning the "Bud Light" label facing the television, which "It's only weird if it doesn't work". After all of these little ceremonies are completed, the wait is over, and a wave of euphoria washes over everyone as the deciding field goal is good!

     There is no real talking until the very end of the commercial, when a hidden announcer says "The official beer of the NFL", which makes it sounds that much more desirable. Throughout the main course of the commercial, there is a catchy tune playing, with the words "Very Superstitious" repeating itself. This makes Bud Light seem like something you can believe in, and if you drink Bud Light and then face the label towards something, whatever you want to happen, will happen. The song also help people, whether they realize it or not, remember this commercial. I found myself singing this catchy tune while doing work.

     The use of popular, well-known football teams, such as the 49'ers and the Colts was also effective in further endorsing this beer. Because Bud Light is sponsored by the NFL, National Football League, they can use these professional football teams, and make it seem like their wins were all because people faced the label of Bud Light towards the television.

     This commercial could be using the need to achieve and the need to for affiliation to sell their product. The are targeting those with the need to achieve because in order for the football team to win, the viewers must turn the beer bottle. When the all the beer bottles are turned in the correct position, the teams gain some sort of ability that allows them to win the game. This identifies Bud Light with winning. They also target the need for affiliation in this commercial, because in every transition, there is a group of friends all testing their luck and drinking Bud Light together. When I saw this, I got a sense that when drinking Bud Light, you will always have friends around with you.

MEDIA BLOG ENTRY NUMBER 3

     I have a soft spot when it comes to cute animals, so when I saw this cute little cat holding standing and doing the potty dance, I immediately liked this advertisement. There is a cat right in the middle of a fancy, royal-looking house. I didn't notice what they were advertising until a few minutes, because the writing for it was so small, and on the bottom.
   

As I said in the previous paragraph, what caught my initial attention was the giant cat standing in the middle of the room. The cat had sad, puppy-dog eyes, like it needed something. I found this to be very comedic, especially when I saw that the cat looked like it was dancing the potty dance, which I can easily relate to. Also, the elegant room was also interesting to look at. When I saw it, it made me think of a really nice house that some royal family would own, like the inside of the White House. The painting and furniture made it seems like the cat was very important, and that he needs his litter box to be clean for him to use it. The image drew me in, and was very effective at keeping me interested in what this product is that a fancy, high-class cat would use.
    
Also, the 'Odor Eliminating Carbon' used in this kitty litter makes it sounds superior to the other kitty litter competitors. This advertisement is conveying the fact that their product is above and beyond the other ones, containing these carbons that eliminate odors. This image helps to show that while this cat won't use normal kitty litter, this Fresh Step is what a rich, pampered cat like him would use.
    
The producers of this advertisement are targeting the need to nurture. By using a cute, innocent little cat, they are trying to get people to want to have their own cats feel good, and by using this litter, is what they will do. This is a very effective ploy, as even though I do not own a cat that lives with me, I still want to buy this kitty litter, in order to make this sad looking cat a happy kitty.