Ad.diction

Being a Chestnut Hill college student; deprived of all the luxuries of home including cable, leaves me to watch all my favorite shows at home "on demand", if I'm lucky. One of the shows I decided to highlight was the Bad Girls Club, a show that comes on the Oxygen channel on Comcast digital cable. This reality show documents seven women, who claim to act bad in character and through their actions. The cameras follow them around living in one house and also while they party in the Los Angeles night scene. Similar to MTV's Real World, the women in the house have drama and good times all the while working on a project together. Their primary project, their job allows them to help plan private parties. In the episode I selected to discuss, the girls had to first plan the party and then actually execute their plans. In doing so there were several occasions where the camera focused on the types of liquor they served at the party. One alcoholic beverage in particular was a bottle of P.i.n.k.
P.i.n.k. vodka, a relatively new vodka was the perfect product placement for a show, that has primarily a women audience. While other drinks were in the background and weren't really in good view, P.i.n.k. vodka was shown being requested and drank by multiple people in the party.

As a viewer, this definitely increased my yearn to try the vodka the next time I go out. The appearance of the bottle suggested that is was targeted to women and actually made me wonder if it was better. In looking for pictures for this blog I found several stock photos that suggest its for women.

Being a part of a generation that doesn't really cohere to previous generations; besides being the children of, truly allows this generation to grow. My generation, often referred to as the lost generation, is the generation that questions, infers, and re-invent. We are trying to reinvent the wheels and this time we are trying to make it bigger and better. This process requires us to be technology-savvy, short attention spans, and very demanding. You cannot approach our generation with just anything. It must meet the standards, it must understand that there could be anything else receiving our attention. Even though we only take 14 percent of the population, understand that it is through us that change will be made.

Yet, in the process of re-invention, there sometimes is apprehension because of possible hindering from technology. Where we may view technology as advancement, others view it as our downfall. Could we be blindsided by technological devices that connects us to the universe; friends , family, even online education, verbally, and in some ways physical. It allows us to see into the future guiding our insights and molding them as one.

This generation is definitely moving together towards the future.

Advertisers must first understand that anything could have our attention. So, within any advertising to us they must understand that we seek things that interest us and nothing more. We are less likely to infer into things outside of our immediate circle. Perhaps, advertisers could do more separate advertising for products. Instead of one campaign for McDonald's, do two commercials one for the youth and one for adults. Because everyone wants to be reminded of their youth, but not their maturing age...

This commercial definitely appeals to my emotion. The

In the decision to compare national ad to local ones, I thought comparing violence campaigns might be an interesting perspective. In the decision to do so, I chose to compare the Philadelphia anti-violence campaign to that of the ads that run nationally. Interestingly, enough the ads both produced a simple message with the basic colors red, black, and white.
When looking for which ads would be chosen, I searched for an organization that campaigns at a national level that have symbols or slogans that coincide with the message. Leave out the Violence was one in which the campaign's symbol was a hand depicting the peace sign, providing the 'V' in the word Love. Which also was stood for 'Leave out the Violence'. Comparatively, this ad was much more basic opposed to the intricate design shown on the Philadelphia Anti-Violence campaign. The ad for the Anti-Violence of Philadelphia depicts the barrel of a gun laying against a red background, while some type of wording covers the poster completely. "City of Brotherly LOVE?" is bolded and emphasized at the top of the poster.
One could definitely raise the question of choice colors. Similar in both posters the same colors are used, there is probably in depth symbolism behind that. But, for now I think it's safe to say that the style and colors used prove that the message is stronger when less abstract; simple is better.

Within each advertisement there are signs of societal influence. There is only one advertisement that immediately comes to mind that argues against that statement. That is the Bailey's Irish Cream advertisements, which depicts young adults in a social party setting usually about to make another round of drinks when one person suggests; in some way relative to the commercial, to drink responsibly.

In particular one commercial, depicts socialites about to make drinks. But , first they pick the designated driver...

Although, this could happen in real life it normally doesn't. However, with the Bailey's commercial, the company is promoting a positive light to drinking. With this instance they are trying to influence societal decisions. On the contrary, even though ads are clearly inspired by true life, it is evident that ads have the potential to change the future!

Comparing Lifetime and ESPN advertisements; two well known stereotypical demographic channels, was as intriguing as watching a mouse in a snakes cage at feeding time. One would hope that things work out differently, but in the end, the outcome was already thought of. In completing the assignment, I chose to watch The Lifetime Network, one of the most well known channels for targeting women, for one hour and compare it to a hour of ESPN, a well known sports channel.

Cool article on Michael Jordan...http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22558236/
His new shoes will be retailing for about $230! and they will be a limited edition. He hasn't played in years...
kinda-sort to do with advertising...not really, just thought it was interesting. :)

Recently, the international retail chain H&M and the Designers Against AIDS (DAA), came together and launched a limited edition clothing line. "Fashion Against AIDS", or the special edition AIDS awareness clothing campaign, features everyone's favorite celebrities from Rihanna to Good Charlotte. In each advertisement the celebrities are pictured modeling their own personalized t-shirt created for the line. According to H&M.com, the "collection" will be available for "guys" and "girls" in February, two months after AIDS awareness month.

With each campaign both fashion companies used celebrities that were instantly identifiable and easily capable of being related to. In each individual ad the celebrities featured, were depicted doing what they were known for. Comedian Chris Rock, known for his witty yet edgy jokes, was pictured in a comical facial pose that evoked funny and intriguing emotions. At first glance one would pay attention for the simple fact that in his advertisement, he is featured screaming. However, once one realizes who he is the ad transforms from alarming to comical. This campaign was also successful in good public relations also. Bono and Oprah, two modern day icons, were seen being involved with the campaign. This provided the perfect public relations for the campaign, allowing consumers who normally follow the activists to relate and become interested if they hadn't already taken interest before. According to Gap.com, Bono is one of the "founding forces behind Product (RED)", which is described as a "global business initiative that raises awareness and money for the Global Fund by teaming with icon[s]".

Following in the successful footsteps of The Gap, H&M wishes to also achieve similar success using celebrities that are synonymous to their company theme; a company, that is involved in the trends created from areas of pop culture life. Rihanna, a platinum selling artist who is known for her trendy but, avant garde image, is featured modeling her own design. Featuring Rihanna, may reach the younger consumer. The consumer demographic that is primarily affected by the epidemic.

H&M highlights,

"Supporting the Fashion Against AIDS campaign was a great way to encourage my fans to join me in the fight against HIV/AIDS. I love that H&M is providing a fashionable and easy way for young people all over the world to get involved in this worthy cause, “says Rihanna.

"

However advertised or produced, companies like H&M and The Gap are favorable for taking such an initiative in the global fight against AIDS. Fashion is only a small step in gaining public attention toward the epidemic. But, it is definitely a step in the right direction!