GOTCHA!...well, maybe not

After completing the GOTCHA! tween phone ad campaign and reviewing the ads in class, there are a few things which I realized need to be addressed in order to make my ads more cohesive and effective. I found that the ad which needed the most attention is the one for National Geographic Kids. In the original ad it showed a giraffe and a fish both separated by a yellow stripe of color (reminiscent of the yellow border on National Geographic magazines). As well as the slogan “on land or under water, we’ve gotcha covered.”

I realize now that the slogan is a little misleading in the fact that the phone is not waterproof. The message that, no matter where your child is you’ll be able to get a hold of them, was somewhat lost within the wording of the slogan. So I feel by re-wording it and making it clearer, this can be fixed and the ad will be more successful.

I also realized by critiques from my classmates, that i could also better bring the images of the giraffe and the fish together better and making it more cohesive by using different effects and techniques within Photoshop.

So in the new, edited version of my GOTCHA! mobile ad for National Geographic Kids, I changed the slogan to say, “no matter where you live, we’ve gotcha covered.” By still using the gotcha brand name within the slogan, but making the overall message clearer, I feel that it will be more understandable and appealing to parents of the pre-teens who will be buying the phone. And I also removed the backgrounds from both photos and replaced it with a sky/water color blue, to further make the ad more cohesive.

I'm A Slave 4 U

I'm A Slave 4 U video

Britney Spears’ music video for her song I’m A Slave For You from her third album, Britney, which was released in 2001, is not only provocative but startling coming from such a young teen idol. This song as well as the video was a turning point in Britney Spears’ career, opening herself up to a more adult audience and demographic.

http://search.creativecommons.org/?q=britney+spears+i'm+a+slave+4+U

In the video the singer is essentially dancing in a sauna with a group of scantily clad men and women. Spears’ seems to be the leader of the rest of these individuals; encouraging them all to dance along with her as she travels throughout the rooms of this seemingly abandoned warehouse, while people are lounging around. (And also somehow manages to pull off a costume change sometime in the middle of all this). The atmosphere is hot and sweaty, which is apparent from the dripping wet bodies who are suggestively laying all over each other as well as dancing. 

http://search.creativecommons.org/?q=britney+spears+i'm+a+slave+4+U

Everyone in the video appears to be mesmerized by Spears and her sexual dance moves. The camera frequently zooms in to focus on her flat stomach as well as her breasts. Spears is dancing with a group of people, as different men dance with her and touch her body; perhaps she's a slave for them. However, even though these multiple men surround her, she seems to be the one in control of the situation and is enjoying herself.

hecklerspray.com

Towards the end of the video, Spears appears sitting in a corner with five men all over her, breathing heavily and putting their mouths on her neck, chest, and face. Showing that she's the center of attention, even if she's being used for more than just her talented dance moves. Then, everyone lifts her up as if they are worshiping her, portraying her as being in a position of power over everyone, women and men alike. 

http://search.creativecommons.org/?q=britney+spears+i'm+a+slave+4+U

The video is full of its fair share of sexual references, the song's name in itself is suggestive. But Spears has never been one to avoid any kind of controversy. Even when preforming I'm A Slave 4 U at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, she appeared on stage in an even skimpier outfit with exotic animals such as a Burmese python and an white tiger. Which caused animal rights groups such as PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals) to be outraged and spoke out against the singer. As well as many other organizations whom are dedicated to promoting family values which stated that Spears was no longer a positive influence on young teen girls.

more information on "I'm A Slave 4 U"

Social Media Ad Campaigns

People love to have something to interact with. It makes them feel like they’re part of the brand and that their input and opinions matter as consumers. Just like Old Spice allowed individuals to use social networking sights such as Twitter and Facebook to communicate with the company’s advertisers and the spokesperson. And then they not only used the information they received but actually took the time to answer and get back to the individuals, showing a commitment to their consumers. When companies make an effort to go above and beyond the normal television commercial or an advertisement in a magazine, it shows that they’re not only a growing and successful company, but that then instills confidence within consumers who might then consider purchasing the product.

http://search.creativecommons.org/?q=starbucks

One company that I found had a very successful social media ad campaign, much like the ones discussed in the Forbes article, is Starbucks. They have started using social networking sights to not only get out information about new and upcoming products and specials, but it’s another way for them to get followers and their brand out there and in the minds  of viewers in a positive, forward-thinking way. Starbucks has used Twitter and Facebook to promote free pastry days, ways to score free products on certain occasions, the announcement of new and seasonal drinks, etc. And even though Starbucks is practically like a religion to its loyal consumers already, the fact that they still choose to make advances in their advertising shows just how competitive and successful they are as a brand. They even have their own app for smart phones!

For other successful social media campaigns visit
http://mashable.com/2010/09/14/social-media-campaigns/

Advertising & Imagery

In my new communications class in advertising and imagery, I hope to gain further knowledge of different softwares as well as better develop my media writing skills through blogging assignments. I am excited for this course because I have always been drawn towards advertising as well as public relations and writing, which i find very interesting. I am a Communications Major with a Journalism Minor, and I believe this class brings both of those interests together well. Now by no means do I consider myself to be tech savvy whatsoever. But through taking this course I plan on strengthening my technology skills which will better prepare me for not only future classes, but aslo for obtaining a career and being more qualified. 

COVER GIRL

As I flip through this month’s new issue of Cosmopolitan magazine, it’s not hard to notice the amount of advertisements for beauty products; everything from makeup, perfumes, soaps, shampoos, hair styling products, lotions…they can seem endless! However, after taking a closer look I counted not one, two, or even three, but FOUR different ads for COVERGIRL cosmetics. That’s more than any other company in the magazine. (And one was even a three page fold out ad featuring their newest spokes person, “cover girl” Taylor Swift.)

At first this seemed a bit odd to me, however, there must be a reason for it, and one that apparently is working too. So what is their strategy? Are they trying to overwhelm readers so that out of all of the other products advertised COVERGIRL sticks out and remains in our memories after putting the magazine down? Perhaps. But maybe it’s because they’re trying to appeal to all different types of consumers.

http://search.creativecommons.org/?q=covergirl+cosmetics

Their newest ad campaign is for their “Nature Luxe Collection” whom Taylor Swift is the face of. This obviously works as the going green movement advances and now apparently is even taking over the cosmetics industry. And COVERGIRL clearly knows what they’re doing by making Taylor Swift the spokes person. She’s young, free spirited, at the height of her career and more popular than ever…and did I mention gorgeous? She has that “natural” flawless skin that we all are supposed to want, so who better to back this new product?

http://search.creativecommons.org/?q=covergirl+cosmetics

The other three ads within the magazine are all two page advertisements featuring Drew Barrymore, a slightly older, more edgy actress who has been a “cover girl” for quite some time now. She’s the face of COVERGIRL’s bold eye shadows and funky colored eyeliners, mascaras, and now their new line of lip colors. Barrymore is an excellent choice for these products because it’s convincing. She really seems as though these are the kinds of cosmetics that she would wear in her own life, it doesn’t seem fake.

I’ve even bought them!

http://www.covergirl.com/

"Back To You In The Studio..."

Being a Communications major can mean many things; it’s anything but black and white. And that’s because today, the world of multimedia is so expansive. A degree in communications can mean you’re working towards a career that could be almost anything. It’s the enabling factor in landing the job in many different fields: journalism, advertising, public relations, television and radio, film, photography, and even being a part of the recording industry too.


I personally have always wanted to be a journalist and discover and uncover all the breaking news. But because of the ever changing technology and the expanding world of mass media, I also have discovered my passion for television and broadcast journalism as well.  But politics have always been a passion of mine too. And for those reasons, that’s why I decided to take on the daunting task of having a double major in New Media/Communications and Political Science. (Did I mention my minor in Journalism too?)

But in all seriousness, these degrees will help me to become the journalist that I’ve always strived to be as well as hopefully obtaining the career of my dreams. Journalism is the basis of the communications field and has been around for years and years with people reporting for newspapers, etc. TV news programs like World News Tonight, 60 minutes, and shows on CNN are the most interesting ways, I believe, to deliver the news and stories people want to know about, but also by doing it in a faster and more personal way than that of print or web journalism, as well as being a more serious type of newscast.

My ultimate goal is to have one of the most coveted positions in the field of journalism and television; to be a news anchor or possibly a senior correspondent for a news network in Washington D.C. and be the person who brings all the breaking news and pressing issues into the homes of viewers. In my opinion, news changes lives, it’s essentially history before we know that it will become history, it’s something that will never go away, and will always be in demand. And I just can’t wait to have a hand in it all. 

What It Means To Be A "Sorority Girl"

Paying for your friends? Organized drinking? Dumb, ditsy, alcoholics?

These are common misconceptions I frequently hear when I first tell people that I am in a sorority. But that's not the case whatsoever. Being a member of a sorority is a privilege, and honor, something to be proud of. It is like every little girl’s dream; being a part of some kind of girls-only, secret society, with no boys allowed.

I am currently an active member of a social sorority on my university’s campus, one of which I have had my heart set on joining since the moment I arrived at my school. What can I say; being a sorority girl has always been a dream of mine since I was younger and would hear my older cousins talk about their sisters and seeing them wearing these funny letters on their shirts. Little did I know that someday I’d have a set of those “funny looking letters” of my own, and cherish them so dearly.

The initial attraction, I guess, was probably my desire to be feminine and girly. In high school I never had many female friends, and when I came home for winter break and announced to the few that I did have that I was joining a sorority, they laughed and thought the idea of me getting along and becoming “sisters” with forty-some girls was apparently hilarious. But I suppose what intrigued me most was that because I am an only child, I have always had a longing to have sibling, and by joining a sorority I would be instantly gaining numerous sisters!

Being a member of the Greek community is like nothing I’ve ever experience within any other group or organization I’ve been a part of. The sense of comradery and community that we all share, fraternities and sororities alike, is a bond that goes much deeper than friendship.  Being a Greek and a “sorority girl” is probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me and knowing that my legacy as well as that of my chapter and all my sisters will live on is an indescribable feeling. Which is why being a “sorority girl” is much more than being a young, pretty, and popular college girl.