Advent Conspiracy

I know class is pretty much over and the chances of anyone seeing this is slim, but I just had to post it. A little back story, The past few years I have really wrestled with accepting gifts. I have been fighting this battle that I could never win. I feel that the money used for the gift could be better spent with someone else. I'm a huge fan of giving, I love to do it, it's more enjoyable. So this Christmas this is what I want to do....


If you don't want to give water there are a ton of other trustworthy organizations that help people. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Scion Advertising

INFORMATION
Scion xA

Year: 2006
Ad Agency: ATTIK

Q & A
I really enjoy this commercial because it is visually and audibly stimulating. There are fast, bright, colorful animations and a noticeably catchy hip-hop beat in the background. These kinds of things grab my attention because shiny lights, especially with animations, easily amuse me. The lights and sounds are all part of the larger picture though; it’s the small things that really bring this advertisement to life. They use pieces of the city and bring them to life and make them a part of the car, and vice versa. Some of the most notables are when the car is in the alley and the alley becomes the graphics on the car, or when the tread from the tire becomes the city, how about when the sewer cap becomes the new wheels for the car, and my favorite part, when the pedestrian sign comes to life and jumps in the car and gives it a glow. It’s definitely not something I’m proud to admit but I’m pretty sure that everything that makes the commercial memorable for me is also everything that is “puffery,” or exaggerated. Everything that happens either to the city or to the car actually can’t happen, or at least the way Scion depicts it happening. A car can have graphics put on it, however it can’t have graphics magically put on it by driving into a dark alley and elements from the alley taking shape on the car. Just as tire tread can’t become a city. So in essence without puffery this commercial becomes dull. Thus can beg to question what is Scion “trying to sell here?” Scion is selling more than just their car. They are selling the opportunity to create your own car. Scion is marketing individuality through their product. Create the car you want and we’ll give it to you. “We want your customization to be endless,” that’s what they’re trying to say. The placement of the ad was normally on MTV or during sports programs, so the target market was a typical male 18-24. I believe they were targeting the “mod” scene crowd, the “Fast and the Furious” folk. Everything about the ad was appealing to the targets because it had crazy modern visuals (art) and a kickin’ beat. And lastly, I did buy this product, however I bought it before I saw the commercial. The commercial just made me even happier with my purchase. I bought it because of the endless possibilities I had with the car.

On a side note, I no longer have my car. I was deeply saddened the night I lost it.



However once I get money I plan on trying to get another one. The accident :( wasn’t my fault

Rift Fournier and what Web 2.0 may mean to you!

Even though we had a short time with Rift Fournier, it was still very informative. He had a lot to say in that short time. He was full of stories concerning the film making business. Rift has done a little of everything ranging from writing, producing, acting, etc. He told us how he got into the entertainment business and how difficult it can be. But he was very optimistic with his words describing how he never gave up, he pushed for what he wanted. He kept reaching for his dream. In the same way he told us to do the same. Even if you start small it can be the key to how the rest of your life will turn out. The way Rift spoke was with pride and confidence. He said what he wanted and meant it. He didn’t hide the truth from you. Even if it wasn’t necessarily appealing. It was an honor to meet someone with such humbleness and pride for what he did, and who he is. I just think it’s amazing when someone leaves their dream to help others achieve theirs.

Web 2.0 can be defined as being limitless, unending, and ever growing. I’m really enjoying discovering more and more about Web 2.0. The future of where the Internet is going is entertaining and apparently hard to keep up with. We were once asked to sign up for an experiment with the website Twitter. With as fairly new as Twitter is, there is already a replacement. It’s called Twinger. It’s like Twitter on steroids. Check it out (they even have a tutorial video from YouTube posted, so it’s pretty much dummy proof). MySpace and Facebook have had major overhauls recently. Neither really getting great reviews from users, but nonetheless they are “improved” versions.
And of course I couldn’t talk about Web 2.0 without mentioning Google. Google controls a lot and they offer a lot. They just recently created a phone to compete with the iPhone. They also have their own web browser called Google Chrome. They also have tons of applications and various search engines. I’m pretty sure Google expands everyday.
Web 2.0 is so much bigger than this post, but then again this is just supposed to be a general statement.

Presidential Election

Share your thoughts as results begin to come in. Did you have troubles at the polls? Did you notice anything awkward at your polling place? Did you capitalize on any of the giveaways from Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, or Ben and Jerry's? Do you like the idea of being enticed to vote? If you didn't vote, why? If you did, was it a good experience?

Here's a blog I read! TVNewser

I just recently started reading other blogs, as before I didn’t follow them because it was hard to find a blog that wasn’t all opinionated jargon. I have been following TVNewser, a blog from mediabistro.com. TVNewser reports news about news. It’s really entertaining to read from people who report about reporters. The best part of it all is that, especially with politics, they are relatively unbiased. For multimedia value they post videos, pictures, and hyperlinks. TVNewser also posts ratings for the top news stations and their top segments (O’Reilly, Hardball, AC360). I was quite surprised with Fox News Channel’s ratings after all the flack they receive. But I guess you attack the strongest to gain attention.
I really enjoy what TVNewser has to offer. The stories are informative and entertaining. The site keeps me updated on everything that is news. I’m beginning to read this everyday, that’s how much I like it.

TV and Internet Convergence

To deny that the Internet has had an impact on how you view television would be a lie. Shows no longer need to be watched the night of the airdate. Websites now make it possible to watch most of your favorite shows online. In my opinion this is one of the greatest uses of convergence so far. It’s right there with the use of Internet and mp3 players on cell phones.
The five major networks, Fox, CBS, NBC, CW, and ABC, all offer full episodes of their shows on their websites, some more than others. CBS really seems to be lacking on placing full episodes of their shows online. Less than 50% of their shows are online. Of the shows online they aren’t even complete series’. There are just random episodes of their shows. Even with a failing Sunday night lineup, the CW still posts full episodes of all their shows except one. NBC definitely does one of the best jobs of the networks with posting its shows. Proportionally NBC has a lot more content to post and they have close to all of it on their site. ABC does a really great job too. CBS really needs to pull it together and realize where the future is.
The Internet was originally considered a threat to the television industry. However, television companies have adapted to the Internet and how to show full episodes, while still making money. That was the whole fiasco. ‘How will we make money and stay rich’ with this whole Internet thing?! They get sponsors for the online episodes and where normal commercial breaks would be, the sponsors get up to one-minute spots to advertise.
All-in-all, this is what I find to be so great about online viewing, short advertising spots and most websites have additional videos from the TV shows. I think no matter what, when convergence comes into the picture, people on the other side of the media get scared because they are unsure of what it means for their future. In the end convergence tends to be common place now-a-days and is widely adaptable.

Presidential Debate 10/15

Last night I listened to the presidential debate on the radio and then I watched the debate on television afterwards, which I had recorded. I have not listened or watched any analysis so this is truly my opinion of the debate.
I did like the questions, however I don’t think they held the candidate’s to the questions like they said they would. Both candidates’s skated around issues with answers coming later in their speech.
I originally listened to the debate on 97.1 FM Talk, and later watched a recorded version from CNN, not by choice, but because LU offers no other reliable network.
As I listened to the debate at the beginning I felt as though Senator John McCain came off very strong and confident, as Senator Barack Obama came off as nervous (his stuttering) and excessively charismatic and lack of emotion. Some of the most notable moments for me at the beginning were really just after the first question and each candidate’s rebuttal. John McCain would regularly get fired up on an issue or a statement that was made which made me believe he was more human. As human beings, it is natural to experience moods of anger, happiness, sorrow, guilt, and glee. I heard that from McCain. Obama on the other hand made me feel mushy. He continually would try and make things seem careless, soft spoken, hardly any change in tone. To me it sounded like he was talking down to me, “Oh it’s okay little college student in America, it’s okay that you don’t understand what I’m saying so long as my words comfort you.” Of course he really didn’t say that, but that’s what it felt like. I was also introduced to “Joe the plumber” early on; also it was awesome to hear name-dropping, as if it would make any difference, “my friend Warren Buffet,” said Obama. Thanks for letting me know that you’re buddies with the top 5% of America. To which McCain replied, “We’re talking about Joe the plumber.” See, humor. People can be funny even if they are over 70 and running for president.
Some other great quotes from the night included Obama’s “agree to disagree”. What about when he said, “I’ll reach across the aisle.” I guess he won’t reach across?? Also I wasn’t very fond of his Fox News comment that they rarely take his side or when Obama said that “100%” of McCain’s ads are negative. Really, 100%, every commercial?

My favorite McCain moment was when he said, “I’m not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago.”
The first 30-40 minutes of the debate were the most interesting. Things died down in the end. It seemed like they were tired of fighting each other.
If either candidate came out on top I think it was McCain. But that would merely be on the premise that I enjoy his attitude and how he handles himself.
To better come across to voters Obama needs to look at McCain more when he’s talking to him or about him. It would be nice if McCain wouldn’t blink so often, but I guess it would also be nice to know that if the reason he blinks so much is from being tortured and he can’t control it.
I have made my decision and I will be voting for McCain. But the primary reason I’m voting for McCain is because I don’t want to live in a socialistic society lead by Obama.
Meet Joe:

Microsoft Tries Again

After the Seinfeld ads bombed miserably, Microsoft has a second take with commercials. I'm not trying to swing the vote one way or the other but these commercials are very clever and I like them. What do you think?

Diversity in the Newsroom

I have a hard time understanding diversity in the newsroom to its fullest potential. Not because I’m racist or sexist, but because it almost seems foolish. Why can’t we just have great reporters? We have to meet the “status quo” to have a phenomenal newscast and label everything. I have always believed that the best person for the job should get the job. The job should not be decided on color of skin or gender or anything else for that matter. There are many times when I sit down and watch the news, whether local or national, and notice that the reporter is dreadfully boring or ditzy, and has a difficult time reporting the story. Or the anchor doesn’t listen to the interviewee. It’s terrible. Doesn’t it almost seem racist when the news station sends the black reporter to the black neighborhood for a story, or the older, more experienced reporter to the nursing home for grandma’s 101st birthday. How is this diversity? Does it cover the spectrum? Yes. Is it fair? No. There are tons of great reporters out there just waiting for their shot. But will they ever get it if the newsroom must be “diverse”? Man, woman, black, white, it doesn’t matter. Just make sure you give me the best newscast possible.
For me it comes down to the word diversity. I completely agree with being diverse in everything we do, but I believe that when we label it, it gets out of hand and is far more segregating, which hurts us more than it helps us. By saying we need to be more diverse all the time, I believe it only pushes us further away from that goal.

Final Thought: Diversity is needed hands down, but I don’t believe you should attempt to be diverse and sacrifice talent.

GenY in the church

I just found this to be really interesting and was curious what others thought. A church in O'Fallon is encouraging the congregation to text questions to their pastor on Sunday mornings during the sermon. The article was on the front page of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Tuesday.

Uses and Gratification Theory

After careful review over the objects talked about in Chapter 2, the thing that was most interesting were the social science perspectives. One in particular though, the Uses and Gratifications Theory. I found this one to be most interesting because it was the only theory that involved people using the media how they needed. Not the media influencing and controlling the people.
The Uses and Gratification Theory says that it is “based on the ways media consumers actively choose and use media to meet their own needs.” Instead of asking the traditional question “What effect do media have on people?” uses and gratifications researchers ask, “What do people do with media?” My opinion is that we influence the media in the first place. The media only reports on things that people are going to find interesting. I think we control the media more than the media would let us realize.
The theory actually compliments people by saying that we are the “decision makers who choose, sometimes deliberately and sometimes less consciously, which media to use and how to use them.”
There are many ways in which we use the media. There is the surveillance method in which we keep informed about the world. We use this media most often in the United States normally when something involving money or government. People tend to disregard things in other countries unless it involves the economy or important government issues. There is also the diversion method, which we use to escape “from the pressures of the real world through entertainment.” I believe this method is the most commonly used. We use this when we go on YouTube, watch primetime television, when we go to the theatre, or if we watch a movie at home. Another method we choose media is by conversational currency, which we use for “up-to-date on topics to talk about.” This is mostly used when we read the headline articles in newspapers and on news websites. We can also obtain it through television programming like local news programs and entertainment news shows. One of the final ways we use the media is through social integration. “Connecting with others by using shared knowledge acquired through the media,” uses this method. Social integration is very wide spread it is the media that generally everyone can relate to. It is news about an Ipod, the president, presidential nominees, video games, top 40 in music, etc.

I chose the Uses and Gratification Theory because I believe it. I go to the media I want. I use it how I see fit. Media will not control me. I will go against the flow. I will be my own person.

Newest Microsoft Ad

This is it in it's entirety but it's originally split into two parts the first part ending with the giraffe stolen and the screen going to blue saying "to be connected", the second part picks up where that left off with the family questioning Gates and Seinfeld.

International Interview

For my interview with an international student I looked no further than my roommate. His name is Emmanuel Ortigüela and he has lived in two different countries, Spain and Argentina. Two countries, two very different locations; so I thought this was an excellent opportunity to learn a lot about how US media affects different regions of the world.
For the first order of business I began to ask about television programming. I asked if there was a lot of American influence in either Spain or Argentina with television programming. He responded by saying that they get a lot of the same shows such as; C.S.I., Law and Order, Family Guy, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire, all of which are subtitled in Spanish. Other popular shows are The Simpson’s and South Park, which are dubbed in Spanish. I then asked if these shows made them perceive us Americans as the shows imply us to be. His answer was what shocked me the most, though I’m not sure why, it is completely predictable. He said, in both countries, they perceive the American family as The Simpson’s and Family Guy portray us. Which is exactly how I want to be perceived. They also have their own versions of MTV, ESPN, and Disney Channel. Which he followed up by saying that High School Musical is just as popular in both countries as it is here. Other than that he said that they just have their own shows that they watch.
Next I asked him about our movies. He said that movies are released the Thursday following our Friday release. They wait about an extra week to see our films. He said that movies are taken for what they are, entertainment. In Spain everything is translated, however you have the choice to either see the movie with subtitles or dubbed. His favorite movie is Good Will Hunting and his favorite actors are Robert De Niro and Anthony Hopkins.

When it comes to US politics Argentina is very interested with our decisions but Spain is really only interested during election time. He said, “Everyone cares about the elections”. Argentina pays close attention to our politics because they have closer economic ties with America. They have free press in both countries so they don’t have to worry about government-controlled media.
For me, music was the most surprising answer I received. He said artists/bands like Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, Eminem, Britney Spears, and Rihanna are popular. The ‘pop’ music is more popular there than hip-hop or R&B. Hip-hop is more of a demographical and personal influence. He did say that hip-hop is more popular in Spain. Some of his favorite artists are Alicia Keys and Tyrese. Other than that it is more local music that is popular and played more often.
When it comes to commercials and advertising there seem to be small similarities. Coke is very popular and is heavily marketed while Pepsi rarely, if ever, marketed. Gum commercials are present but they primarily advertise gum as candy and they aim it towards children. In Spain the most heavily marketed item is cologne and perfumes. The only time that kind of stuff is advertised around here is if celebrities come out with their own line of scents. The way they market things is the same but there isn’t a lot of American influenced commercials.

When it comes to technology he said stuff like that is just more expensive in Argentina and Spain. Microsoft and Apple are geared more for the wealthy. While Microsoft is more affordable, he said that Apple is pretty much for the rich. So people tend to build their own computers because it’s a lot cheaper. Thus computer parts are advertised more than and entire system. Here is a list of things us Americans almost can’t live without and how much it costs in Spain and Argentina: 30GB Ipod = $300, PS3 = $1000, Xbox360 is around $1000.
So all in all it was really cool to see how the US media affects Spain and Argentina, which turns out to be not too much. It was also an awesome opportunity to get to know my roommate a little better.

Generation Y?

Through the Millenial survey there is no way to deny the fact that I am considered to be a portion of Generation Y. However after watching the 60 Minutes report on Millenials, I have no choice but to disagree that I am a part of Generation Y.

I mean this term is used so broadly for ALL of Generation Y. Sub groups are a must when taking up this issue. Jason and Ryan, from the 60 Minutes interview, were more than likely from either the east or west coasts. The principles they spoke of with their parents and stuff were outrageous. I would have a hard time believing that Midwest kids have the same ideology at the work place. Us Midwesterners tend not to have such a mushy way of life. Our parents expect a lot from us, and we have to work hard for it. I would be willing to go out on a limb and even say that most kids from the Midwest have had at least one job since the age of sixteen, no matter how well off your family is. So to put it simply, am I a product of Generation Y, yes; but not how the report would make you believe.

Do I get complimented on a job well done, yes; but if the job is not done thoroughly or complete I have to go back and start over and finish the job correctly. The report made me feel like I was in my thirties while I was listening to Jason and Ryan talk about how tender they are. I know I am a minority when I say that I have wanted to be married since I was 18, but it is what I have always wanted. At 18 I wanted my career, my wife, and my kids. I wanted life to begin. I have had this goal for the past three years and I continue to work hard for it everyday. With no career, there is no family, so I do my very best everyday in hopes that it gets me one step closer to my dream. I guess what I am trying to say is that you should have to work hard for what you want, there is no need for it to be handed to you on a silver, I mean platinum, platter. So I guess I pretty much disagree with everything stated in the 60 Minutes video. I do not want that to be me.

I do not think that it should be ‘What can older generations do for us to make communication better’ but, ‘what can we, as Generation Y, do for the older generations to make communication better’.

Music is passion

Music is passion

Like others fashion

Turn your ear

And you’ll hear

Beauty and pain

It is so true! Music does it all. Music fixes you. Whether it is a bad day or you have just had the best day of your life, music is a constant. There is different music, for different feelings. Music can relate to everyone at any given time.

I take my music very seriously. There is not a song I will not listen to. I love it all and I do my best to listen to music with an open mind. Music gives me a new opportunity, everyday, to discover new meaning to a song. Some of the best music has no lyrics, leaving the best form of interpretation. The artist is not spitting out words to take you where they want to go, the music is taking you where you want to go. Music is my passion.

I listen to all genres of music: rock, rap, classical, big band, punk, pop, emo, contemporary, acoustic, bluegrass, country, stage tunes, blues, jazz, and anything I have failed to mention. Within these genres are sub-genres, which I also listen to. I would have to say that rock is my favorite genre, including anything that falls within its sub-categories. I prefer the new age, modern rock. It has catchy riffs and some of the best lyricists in the industry.

Music has undoubtedly become the most effective tool in media. It is in commercials, movie trailers, movies, and your favorite television shows. Shows like One Tree Hill are a prime example of music in television. Not only does the show have great music, they make the show with music. In seasons past show titles were also names of songs. And they regularly have bands perform on the show (Jimmy Eat World, Fall Out Boy, Jack’s Mannequin, and Kate Voegele, just to name a few).

In the end I guess it comes down to preference. I like music some people would never listen to; I’m weird.

Artists/Bands I like: Thousand Foot Krutch, Relient K, Red, Anberlin, Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks, Carolina Liar, Paramore, Breaking Benjamin, Linkin Park, Staind, David Crowder Band, Eleventyseven, Colbie Caillat, Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews Band, Superchick, Fleetwood Mac, Kansas, Keane, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, 3 Doors Down, Chris Brown, Switchfoot, Coldplay, and Imogen Heap