In the New York Times article New Form of Impulse: Shopping via Text Message, Louise Story brings to light a new marketing technique for retail. In the article, found here Shop, impulse shopping can now be done by cell phone text messaging, an ever growing trend. ShopText, a New York company started in 2005, takes orders, charges cards, and ships products or accepts charity donations. Warehouses for the company are set up around the country. Instantly people can order from magazines without buying online or going to the store. It is more convenient. Ads and editorials in magazines like CosmoGirl, Stuff, and Lucky have text codes beside their products and samples. Buyers must have the program and an account with a shipping and billing address to buy these things through text messaging. Tim McGraw's new CD, concert tickets, DVDs, and the new Harry Potter book are available to consumers through this tool. Cell phones are now linking products to media. Through this, marketers can tell which magazines generate the most sales.

I think this is a great way for magazines to cell more of what they advertise. Many people, especially young girls, are impulse shoppers, and when they see things in magazines, they immediately want to buy it. Text messaging is the hot thing right now for communication. This company could reach a lot of women, but I wonder about the men, being that unless it's a CD, DVD, or video game advertised someplace other than a magazine, they aren't likely to desire it that bad. However, this way of shopping could catch on everywhere and everything could have a text code beside it. Cell phones, starting with the internet access, are booming with business.

A Droll Sports Ad, or Violent Imagery?

In the New York Times article by Ian Austen, found at Sports, the Television Bureau of Canada has refused to approve a 30-second commercial for the Toronto Blue Jays because of an abusive or what reviewers called “violent” pillow fight. A harmless pillow fight is not the view of the agency approving these ads. Marketers of the baseball team can’t believe they are taking it so seriously. In the commercial, Frank Thomas, the 6 foot 5 inch American League hitter for the Blue Jays, smacks a small boy off the bed during a pillow fight while smiling. Thomas portrays a father trying to end a pillow fight between two young boys in a fun manner that the bureau says got out of hand and became inappropriate. After one of the boys hits him, Thomas says, “Oh, yeah?” and grabs a pillow and swings back like he’s holding a bat. It knocks the boy off the bed. After the boy lands on the other side with a thud, Mr. Thomas runs out of the room like he’s running bases. The child pops up and says, “Whoa!” He’s not smiling or laughing. He’s in shock and trying to regain focus. The issue is power, not humor, says the president of the television bureau in Canada.

Mr. Thomas is a large man and weighs 275 pounds. The kid takes flight, disappears, and there’s a crash. There’s definitely nothing funny about that. A small child and a huge man is overpowering. The parent is in control and dominates, but showing that in a physical way to prove that a baseball star can hit can become extreme. It makes viewers think ‘the poor kid and the champ dad’. The dad wants the spotlight, while his kid is literally thrown into shock. However, this kind of action or scene actually takes the attention off of Mr. Thomas and puts it on the poor boy, which I don’t think is the message. It’s not acceptable for adults to hit children, and even though it’s just a pillow fight, it’s the power put into the swing by a very large man. Violence and child abuse is very controversial, and anytime a child goes flying through the air to land with a crash on the floor, it’s an eye opener, even if it’s done out of innocent fun and games with an object made of feathers. There is force enough that the little boy is shocked. The dad did it in retaliation, and it’s not okay to hit back, especially if it’s the father hitting his child. It sounded like they weren’t playing around when the dad said “Oh, yeah?”, as if he was going to come back even harder to see how the kid liked it and to prove he was in power. It’s the degree of the rough housing that went too far. That’s when it got serious. Media and commercials portray a violence that goes on in real life. Being that it’s Canada’s most popular sport, it’s too bad this commercial got such unfavorable light. There is fighting and physical violence in sports, but there shouldn’t be fighting (enough to injure someone) during a pillow fight.

A Radio Host Tries His Voice on Television

A New York Times article by David Carr mentions the translation of a famous radio show into a television show, another news announcement that media convergence is still turning its wheels. In the article, accessible at Glass, Ira Glass, host of the public radio show “This American Life” is taking his real life stories to the television medium to engage more listens in hearing and seeing these stories of “normal people who are abnormally interesting”. Known for his appeal to the common folk, Glass got started at NPR at 19 and in 1995 started the radio show in Chicago, winning him many radio awards. The themes: wartime romance, kids at summer camp, and religion unfold in acts. Many wonder and are concerned about the success of the show when taken to a new medium, being broadcast on Showtime, and if it will gain an even larger fan base. Glass is already receiving media coverage. Doubts surround the magic of radio that is lost with visibility and production notes of television executives. The upside is the contract allows the show to quickly be taken off television air if it does not do well in the first few episodes and ratings drop. Images will also add expressiveness, and Glass says it will get the moment of realization across with photography and narrative that will be included in the series.


Having those in the radio industry bend to the needs of television can be difficult, but it’s worth a shot if it could gain you a wider audience. It sounds like a terrific idea to see what could be real art portrayed through characters, photography, and narration. I personally am a visual person, and though I listen to radio shows, I would be more interested if it had images to go along with it, hence the creation factor brought to the storytelling. The guy himself and his vision sound very interesting. He’s been in the business and won awards, so he knows what he’s doing, and if he thinks it’s worth a shot then he should go for it. Either way, he will still have the radio version of “This American Life”. Television is a different world based off of a different concept, but change can be good, and we see it with more advanced technology in the generation of media convergence.

How to Bottle a Generation

Eric Wilson wrote an article in The New York Times, which can be read at Calvin, about how Calvin Klein takes the lead in its sexuality of its fragrances. In 1994's CK One, sexuality and grunge were ecompassed by the youth. Black and white ads with moping models depicted this, and these fragrances were even sold in record stores in the grunge music area. This broke industry records and rules. The goal was to give Generation X a unisex brand that would capture the essence of youth, beauty, and sexual boldness in a bottle. A sequel is now coming out for hip 20-somethings, hoping to repeat the same success since today's youth and young adults tend to spend more money on electronics than fashion and fragrances. This fragrance will be without era defining instincts. In the ads and commercials, a boy and girl are in a compromising sexual position leaning into each other and she is pulling at his belt while he has a strand of her hair. Watery grafitti images are of the words "sex" and "today' with 2 rocket silo shaped bottles in a white plastic i-pod casing. The physically bold name of the fragrance, in2u, is written in shorthand in an instant message. It is supposed to be a casual invitation to sex, being that there was no time to spell out the words into you.

Calvin Klein has always been very seductive in its approach to style and what scent or message our body gives off. He has reached men and women willing to test boundaries, and as always, sex sells. The ads, images and words, won't cause any more controversy than the Abercrombie and Fitch nearly naked sex photos of good looking models that appear on ads in stores and on the shopping bags. Abercrombie t-shirt messages have sexual connotation, but parents still buy them for their kids. Calvin Clein has hip, form fitting clothes, and its scents seeks to appeal to attract the opposite sex like its clothes that cling to our bodies.

If You Need Your News on the Run, Read the Summary

In a New York Times article by Katharine Q. Seelye, found at Digest, news is taking off. First, there’s coffee and breakfast on the run, and now there’s news on the run. The Philadelphia Inquirer and its sister paper, The Daily News, are trying something new for those on the go with a schedule that doesn’t allow anytime for the newspaper, no matter what’s going on in the world. A digest is being printed in the newspapers themselves that summarizes all the important news happenings, keeping readers informed. A few articles, sports scores, lottery numbers, weather, and daily updates in conjunction with the website and nightly television news are compiled. Commerce Bank sponsors the digests and displays its logo on the page. A subheadline reads “The most convenient way to get your news. Presented by America’s most convenient bank”. The back is prime advertising space and is bought by the finest of quality companies with that much to invest for advertising. Who better than a bank? The Inquirer Express is on the back of The Inquirer sports section. The Daily News at a Glance is a few pages after the tabloid’s front pages.

This opportunity will not hurt print journalism. Newspaper readers will still read the entire newspaper front to back to keep fully informed while waking up and drinking coffee. For many, it is a daily routine they take the time for and it’s relaxing. For others, they need to move a lot faster, but still want to know what’s going on around them, and can’t, unless they overhear a conversation. Readers can now read the newspaper while walking, getting ready, all in a matter of a few minutes. This will bring more readers and add involvement, rather than lose readers.
If you’re like me, being on the run means there isn’t time for keeping up with news as bad as I would like to. I just have more important things to do in my busy schedule that I can’t sit in front of the television, read the newspaper, or look up the news on the internet. There is so much information in the paper that I hate to see wasted and the money wasted, but with this new idea, Philadelphia is trying something to increase the print journalism field’s exposure. Subscriptions will more than likely rise, and the new organization of print journalism will catch on. News in any form is better than none, so why not make it user friendly.

The New Video Arcade in Spain Might Be the Movie Theater

A New York Times article focused on video arcades becoming the new kind of theatre. In the article found at Arcade , a graduate of Instituto de Empresa in Madrid developed the first hybrid movie theatre located in Spain. The 3-D video gaming has high tech digital effects (black lights, fog, high definition, vibrating seats, game pads, and individual 17 inch screens on the seats. These cinema games are played in small theatres in suburban multiplexes seating about 50 people at a time. What used to be at home computer play is now community entertainment as video games invade theatres. Game tournament competition involves interaction with players and intense battles. The sound puts gamers at the center of the action for only $3.95. The reason these theatres were established was due to the decreasing admissions in regular movie theatres, but it doesn’t mean video halls will sell out Hollywood entertainment. The hope is that the concept will expand into North America and Europe if theatre companies buy the system. The idea didn’t work for a Germany theatre who gave it a try. Time Play Entertainment has allowed theatre goers to participate in ad sponsored games before the movie. Game manufactures are keeping their eye on the success of these theatres.


I don’t see this concept going very far due to the extremely high costs in all the equipment, and the demographic is so limited to young men in their late teens and 20s. It leaves women and the older population out of the entertainment. For that cost and with such a narrow target audience, no matter what the entrance fee, it won’t expand. The popularity of the theatres so far has only been seen on weekend nights. Video game halls would take away from an individual’s boredom and alone time to concentrate. Video game sales would decrease for stores and renters. Computer and game station use would drop drastically if people could go out and play in the public for less. Do you see this new “theatre” going anywhere?

-Amy

A New Camel Brand Is to the Nines

According to a recent New York Times article by Stuart Elliott found at No. 9, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco recently came out with a new Camel box design targeted at high-heeled and fashionable women. The style of the box has increased Camel's sales. Camel No. 9 sounds like a women's fragrance, Chanel No. 19, as well as a romantic song, "Love Potion No. 9". According to the senior marketing director of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, the "9" means "dressed to the nines, putting on your best." Subtle cues are the hot pink fuchsia color and minty teal green outline of the packaging. The slogan is "Light and luscious". In magazines, flowers surround the ad, making it fun and exciting, thus the appeal.
Because Camel is male-focused, Joe Camel, only 30% of women are Camel buyers. This limited their potential because half of adult women are smokers. As a result, Camel has come up with a new marketing strategy. Virginia Slims has always been the largest brand directed at women with the slogan, "You've come a long way, baby." The promotion for the new Camel cigarette box design is done through give aways at nightclubs, distributing coupons, and ads in magazine like Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Vogue, although these magazines have a young reader audience too.

This new advertising campaign will surely impact women smokers who may have been turned off by Joe Camel before, preferring a cigarette brand directed at women, like Virgina Slims. The fancy and pretty packaging, as well as the flowery bright ads, will attract women, since it is a known fact that women are impacted by visual ads with flair that are beautiful or attractive. This draws them in, increasing the sales. This was a smart move for Camel cigarettes, lingering away from the more male dominant name and appealing to women smokers who make up a large segment of young adult/adult smokers. I can only predict a positive impact for Camel.

-Amy

Products No Longer So Personal

An article by Nina M. Lentini for The New York Times discussed the new doors being opened by advertising agencies. The article, which can be found at Personal, said the media has taken a step forward in developing an "anything goes" attitude toward commercial and print ads for personal products, subjects whose function is usually only whispered about in private. These products include feminine hygiene products beyond menstrual protection, condoms, grooming aids, along with pregnancy and conception products. Society has become more comfortable in recent years in discussing these topics that are a part of everyday life. Still, jaws are dropping and people are talking about the controversial new ads. Follow up reports show sales are rising. The most recent ad is for a digital home pregnancy test, Clearblue Easy. The commercial broke a public urination taboo. The New York company poured liquid, urine streams, onto something that at first sight looks "futuristic". The slogan is "The most sophisticated piece of technology...you will ever pee on". The commercials focus on reality as controversial and disturbing as it is. The campaign uses humor to limit embarrassment. It goes to show that society is no longer soft and safe. Serious situations are taken lighter. As far as the mens' products, Philips Bodygroomer shaver for the younger than 40 who want to get rid of body hair is the latest ad shocker. Even the chief executive at Philips was shocked when he first saw the ad. Though he is liberal, he worried about the reaction. In the commercial ad a man in his mid 20's in a white bathrobe describes the body hair shaving process using pictures of fruits and vegetables. He uses slang terms for the body parts which are bleeped out. The spot only appears online.

If sex education is now taught in middle school I think society can handle personal hygiene ads that aren't sexually explicit. These products are in stores everywhere for public display, so advertising them is only gaining them exposure for people who don't know about them and offering solutions to personal problems people naturally have. It is helpful information that should be advertised. Kids don't understand the products' purposes anyway.

-Amy

Curses! When do we run foul language?

There has been ongoing talk over the controversy stirred up by Grey's Anatomy star, Isaiah Washington, after he used a slur in a heated argument directed at a co-star off-camera.

According to an online article, Slur, the big entertainment news headline has created a lot of buzz in the print media.
When the New York Times published a related article, they didn't use the defensive term itself in the huge article. However, the article surrounded that one word and the world of discrimination and ethical issues it brought up.
The Poynter.com writer of this article, Aly Colon, learned what the word was after hearing her colleagues mention what they heard on television. The word not printed was "faggot".
The big media and journalistic controversy is over whether and when it is appropriate to print the word online, in the newspaper, or on air. The writers at Poynter have decided to take the initiative to make such a decision for the journalists.
The writer says that whether to use the word depends more on the reason it is being used rather than the word itself. Journalists, when choosing whether to use it, should consider the purpose, audience, and clarity it would provide to the context.

When discussing the print of foul language, the word itself must be used to see if it is okay.
I can see why this is a big issue, but in keeping with accuracy and honesty and reporting details and facts, this is the main point, the message that has people talking.
People are scared to repeat offensive words, but words matter because they explain, clarify, and inform. One word could cause the whole article to be confusing and unclear if you don't now what it is talking about or what the controversy surrounds exactly.
Using the word is a risk that could offend gay people, but it is not intended to offend readers. It is intended to state the facts of the news article, to be fair, and to be accurate. At the time it was spoken it might have been offensive to the person it was directed at and those around, but the word is printed to explain why it was such a big ordeal and how it is seen as wrong or deserving of consequential action.
The seriousness of the situation can't be explained to the fullest without using the word. This issue over what foul language is okay to print comes up often in the media.
The reputation of the writer will not be in question as it could be for the subject of the article. The mention of the word is not intended to defame or slander the person who used the word or falsify what actually happened or was said.
I'm sure others have different opinions about the use of foul language in print, but how is it different from the spoken word in broadcast news?

-Amy

Multiplying the Payoffs from a Super Bowl Spot

Stuart Elliott wrote an article, "Multiplying the Payoffs from a Super Bowl Spot", that can be read at Payoffs. Super Bowl is the most expensive advertising outlet for companies wishing to air a commercial for their product or service, the average cost being 2.6 million dollars for a 30 second ad. It is also the most watched television show of the year. Because of this, advertisers are now using other media forms to display and spread their commercial air time. The point is that companies want all the publicity they can get to make the most of their media investment. They have now figured out the means to do that, in essence, extending their commercial buys. Anheuser-Busch, the beer brand that gets the most commercial time, is using e-mail messages to invite customers to vote for the favorite Super Bowl spots by sending text messages or telling people to visit their web site. The commercials are then posted the next day on bud.tv.com. The target audience for the beer marketers are 21-27 year-olds, who are proudly watching the Super Bowl, beer in hand. The target audience for the Super Bowl program is everyone, since the advertising is as big as the content itself (music and the football game). The goal, says Steven R. Schreibman, vice president for advertising and brand management at Nationwide Financial, is to reach half the population that doesn't care to tune in because they aren't interested in football. Garmin GPS navigation devices will post video clips for its commercial on its company blog. With all the hype in Super Bowl, advertisers get carried away and go to every length to further their message.

Since Super Bowl is approaching, and we see new commercials that blow us away every year, it is not surprising to say that technology is going even further to make us participate. By marketers spending their money, they appeal to society and get us to go out there and look into their product. Advertisers and marketers have gotten a lot smarter, figuring out new ways to extend their air time by plugging into other outlets for viewers everywhere. It's about participation and raising the stakes. People watch Superbowl because they don't know what to expect each year and companies pay top dollar because they know how many millions of people are watching. No matter how short the commercial that is aired, it will be the only time advertisers will ever get that many viewers. If they have the big dollars then they are willing to spend it to only raise the dollars. It's a money making dog-eat-dog worl, and Superbowl has all the action. I am impressed yet again, and will tune in to see what Superbowl 2007 has in store and if the media news is right about the new "tune in" tactics that are an attempt at multiplying payoffs. I can't imagine any harm or negatives to this new marketing extension, but maybe there are risks that I haven't thought of.

-Amy

A Chance To Save Their Skin

This article, which can be found here, Saving Skin, written by Claudia H. Deautsch in January 19, 2007's New York Times, says that it is the younger generation that is the biggest market for the skin care regimen because they are beauty crazed, from young children to late teens and early twenties. They have been willingly spending more money on beauty products like glosses and creams, and will continue to do so over the decades. Having jobs at younger ages gives teens the opportunity to purchase their own skin care. Avon's line Mark. is aimed at 17-24 year olds. The line is an add-on, not a replacement. Avon is also putting together a multi-product compact so the young can customize cosmetics like they do their cell phones. Claudia Poccia, president of the Mark. line says the reason for this is that, "The freedom to mix and match is just more important to young women than it was to their mothers." Lancome aims their Juicy Tube lip glosses at teens. A British company, Young and Pure, markets face and hair care products to young kids. Clinique advertises on MTV and television shows aimed at younger audiences. On Facebook they show a three-step product demonstration at college campuses. Though cosmetic counter consultants are more than willing to offer suggestions, "The young are less likely to shop in department stores than their mothers were," says Poccia. Elizabeth Arden advertises in InStyle and Allure. It is in the marketing that the youth shows through. Companies explain how the cosmetic works and why it is useful. "We give the facts, the statistics, the test results, and let a young woman make choices on her own terms."

The article makes it known that beauty care lines are not lying to young women and telling them that by using the product they will look like a beauty queen. They are instead showing them through everyday experiences and demonstrations of the product that pimples are normal, but this product targets those problematic areas. It is up to the young person to wisely decide if it is worth the shot to pay that much money. Companies are relying on honesty instead of young naivety. Giving young women the freedom to personalize their makeup and regimen is a plus. It is a bold move to place ads in spots where the young will see it to and produce skin care lines aimed at the problems of the young that are packaged with hip flare and set a fashion statement wherever they are used, but that also work. I have noticed this new wave of skin care lines and have seen the push for the young to have a skin care regimen. I am on that same train and I will admit that I always look into the effectiveness and ingredients of what I buy before I waste my money. However, ads do catch my attention when I need a new product. The hard part is that there are so many lines out there that unless you are given a recommendation from someone you know, it's always a risk. Not everyone has the same skin type. However, skin care lines are trying their best to tell background information before selling the product. I will be more apt to use that line before any other Hollywood fad. What is it that catches your eye about skin care and cosmetic lines? Are you buying into this new approach to promote the look of the young, or is every line out there only selling what they think will make them money?

-Amy

Media's Effects on Socialization

In the New York Times, January 15th, 2007, an article was published titled "Boys and Girls Use Social Sites Differently". The writer, Alex Mindlin, wrote his article, Boys and Girls, after a telephone interview study was conducted to households with minor children. The study, conducted by Pew Internet and American Life Project, found older teen girls are more likely than younger girls or any age boys to use special networking sites like Myspace and Facebook. However, boys are more likely to meet new people through theses sites. 60% of boys questioned said they use the sites to make new friends and are more than twice as likely to use it for flirting purposes. The message behind this study is centered around the idea of socialization between the sexes. The media and public sends safety messages out to girls about online predators since they are seen as the more vulnerable sex who seem to be targeted through these type of connections and social interactions whether face to face or not. This study found this to play a prominent part in the results and showed how the media's warnings and highlight on this specific medium have affected how girls think versus boys when it comes to meeting people.

The study had an interesting approach to this hot topic of social networking for the younger generation. The results were not at all shocking. As a girl, I can relate to meeting people in person and developing friends through school and other friends, whereas boys are more technological and go online to search for someone to talk to or flirt with, hence the predator problem. I did find it shocking that more older teen girls use these sites. It seems like the younger, less developed girls would go there for laughs and gossip, whereas older girls are more savvy and at jobs or in school, whether it be preparing for college or in college. They just don't seem to have that kind of time. This is only my view as a female, but maybe a male would see it differently.

-Amy

New Model Guidelines

On Yahoo News, Friday, January 12, 2007, Samantha Critchell, a fashion writer, wrote an article titled "Fashion Designers Issue Model Guidelines", found on Fashion Designers Issue Model Guidelines. The article talks about the fashion industry, headquarters in New York, and Madrid, Spain, that has set a new guideline currently in effect for New York Fashion Week, February 2, 2007. The idea is that thin will always be "in" and desired as the weight to be, especially for those in the spotlight. However, it is how the clothes are worn that makes the person look and feel good, Critchell points out in her conclusion. "The fashion industry wants models to be healthy and not anorexic, bulimic, or chain smokers," says Critchell. The Council of Fashion Designers of America that set the guidelines is made up of a nutritionist, modeling agent, fitness trainer, as well as the President. The guidelines are as follows: models under 16 are to be kept off the runway, models under 18 can't work after midnight, models with eating disorders are to receive professional help and can only continue modeling if the professional approves, and models must be educated on the early signs of eating disorders and must have the opportunity to attend workshops that discuss the causes/effects of eating disorders and raise awareness on the effects of smoking and tobacco-related diseases. On top of this, they must be provided with healthy snacks and meals at fashion shows with no alcohol or smoking. These guidelines are to provide a healthy environment that promotes safety. Though body mass is not mentioned in the guidelines, The World Health Organization says the acceptable standard is over 18.5. The article states that models are not required to have a physical exam to work, but they must be exposed to, aware of, and understand that eating disorders are "emotional disorders with psychological, behavioral, social, and physical manifestations". A lot of this concentration on models being too thin came after a Brazilian model died at 88 pounds. It has recently become a huge issue in the fashion and modeling industry for future fashion/runway models.

I feel I have an idea of what men find attractive, so I must ask, what is attractive about looking like a skin and bones stick figure with no meat or curves?
I assume every man appreciates and every woman wants a nice round butt, hips, thighs, abs, and toned arms and legs as many dancers work to achieve. For models, strutting the catwalk requires no exercising and eating right to get in shape. Modeling is not a workout, so long thin legs on the body of 6'2 models are perfect for those long strides down the runway. A pretty and unique face comes on all body types, even the most plus-sized models. The mass media has placed so much attention on the weight of models, that it forgets about the dangers of those struggling to succeed in the glamorous world of photographers. In recent news, Kate Moss has been battling with drugs, which practically cost her a future career with her talent agency after they let her go. It didn't stop her being in commercials, ads, and in entertainment news. However, what once was a pretty face, lost its shine because of looking worn and tired do to the heavy partying and drug use that comes with being famous. What first brought Kate fame, eventually brought her destruction and threatened her job, what she considered her life. Feeling beautiful in your own skin in clothes that flatter your body type is style, what fashion is all about. It is how you wear the clothes that makes you a trendsetter. Trendsetting is not joining the crowd, but standing out and being a role model.

-Amy

Practice

Robert Blade is a great writer. Check this out.

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