Post #8: Tweets and posts and blogs…. oh my!!

In today’s society, it definitely seems ike social media is the primary way of communicating a message to people.  Ask a young persom how they become aware of current events, and it is likely that they will tell you Twitter.  Ask someone else how they know what specials a store is offering, and they may tell you Facebook.  Students may be watching the State of the Union address on YouTube.  A young person needs to create something new, and they will probably find ideas on Pinterest.  Want a job?  You better make sure you have a LinkedIn profile.

That said, I feel like I might be a bit behind the times.  I use only a couple of these sites:  Facebook and YouTube, and occassionaly LinkedIn.  Not Twitter.  Not Pinterest.  Not blogs (except for this class blog).  This almost makes me feel like I am out of touch with the world.  I like the watching the Today Show and other news sources, but it seems like they are always referring to hashtags and tweets.  It almost feels like a foreign language to me.  It’s probably time I start learning though.  Social Media is taking over.  I think this video says it all:

Social Media is Taking Over The World

Yikes!  I guess I better start catching up with the times.

Post #7: Enter here for Facebook-aholics Annonymous

Hi.  My name is Robyn, and I am a Facebook-aholic.  Someday, I honestly believe that we will get to a point where a meeting will be had to conquer people’s addiction to Facebook.  Although not always proud of it, I admit it.  I was a little late to jump on the band-wagon, but once I jumped on, I was fully committed.  I check the notifications on the Newsfeeds daily.  I also like to post the funny thoughts I have that I think will make my friends chuckle.  It took me quite some time before I started indicating I “Liked” anything, but once I noticed that my friends had, I started to do so.  Some of the items I liked have even persuaded to me to make purchases.  For the most part, I indicate that I “Like” bands, local sports teams and televisions shows.  Because I have indicated I like them, statuses and promotions often show up in my Newsfeed.  I click on the ones that intrigue me, and if it’s a really good offer, I don’t hesitate to make a purchase.

Although Facebook is the primary form of interactive media that I use, I also am a common visitor to YouTube.com.  I have come to a point where I rely on YouTube.  Even though I use it for entertainment purposes, I also use it for technical and educational assistance.  When it becomes necessary that I need to repair something, I access YouTube.  In case any of you have been trying to figure out how to repair a belt on a vacuum, I will help you out.  Just check out the video below:

http://youtu.be/spmaNo5DSXM

I am sure that I am influenced by other sources of interactive media, but if I am, I am not aware of it.  I recently chuckled to myself, because I hadn’t noticed all of the ads on the side of an online newspaper, until I began to accidentally click on them.  By the time I had finished reading one entire article, I think I had inadvertently clicked on three advertisements.  However, even though the screen popped up, I didn’t actually take the time to read them.  They seemed more like a nuisance than influential.  I also accidentally clicked on several of the words within the article that are now linked to ads.  Although this is a creative way to quickly attach your product to something that consumers are engaged in, I wish I knew how to turn that functionality off.  I don’t think that is the effect the advertisers intended to have.

Post #6: What’s black and white, and re(a)d all over?

Newspapers.  A dying, or at least changing, form of communication.  I think that newspapers as we used to know them will soon become just a piece of history.  Newspapers communicate, educate, and advertise.  They can tell you what’s occurring around the world and in your neighborhood.

They play an active role in promotional communications by distributiong advertisements for local and national businesses.  Both the traditional paper and electronically distributed newspapers reach a very large audience.  The message that you distribute through them needs to be broad enough to resonate with many people.  You also need to make sure that it is engaging enough that people take the time to look at it.  With the electronic advertisements, readers can click by them so quickly, that they never read the message that is being communicated.

I do not have a newspaper delivered to my home, but I occasionally will browse papers through the web.   The ones that I read most often are the Wall Street Journal and the Star Tribune.  I must admit though, I don’t often look at the ads.  I believe that if I had received a physical newspaper, I may be more inclined to.  If I was able to leave a page folded and open to a particular ad, I would be more likely to revisit it in the future.

Post #5: Ready. Aim. Shop.

I am a big fan of Target’s advertising.   They have developed such strong branding, that just the site of their colors make me think of Target.  I see a dog that is the same breed as their mascot, Bullseye, and I think of Target.  Merely the site of their logo in a commercial makes me think of Target.  I am a loyal Target-goer, but I think this may be because I am constantly surrounded by Target advertising.  For my everyday shopping needs, it is one of the first stores I think of.

However, sometimes I think that I should avoid their stores.  Beyond the external advertising campaigns, Target’s store displays are executed so effectively, I jokingly tell people that they charge a cover charge, just to enter the store.  I will rarely walk in the store without spending at least $50.  In fact, recently, I was on a “mission” to Target.  I had prepared a list of four items I needed to purchase.  I anticipated the cost would be approximately $30.  I knew that I would purchase these items, and only these items.  Do you think I walked out with those items?  No!  In fact, I walked out of the store having spent $200, but with only one of the items on my list.  I remain baffled by why I do this.

Post #4: Ready or not, here I come!

Although I typically watch the Super Bowl for the game, but I must admit that I also like the commercials.  Overall, I wasn’t too impressed with the commercials during the 2012 Super Bowl.  There was only one that really stood out to me.  Doritos.  Enough said.  This commercial was original and creative.  Even though I could predict what was going to happen, I belly laughed after I watched it. 

http://youtu.be/4GIeIpcRv7o

Although this was the one that stood out to me, I did enjoy many more of them when I had the opportunity to view them again.  Many were well done and funny, but this is still my favorite.

Post #3: Become a vegetarian?!? No, thank you.

Who would have thought that a commercial about beef could make me feel so connected to the world.  I watch this commercial, and it doesn’t necessarily make me want to run to Wendy’s.  It does, however, make me want to visit all of the Wendy’s throughout the world to see if they all taste the same.

http://youtu.be/7NenGYkIRLw

I also think that Wendy’s was smart with this, because they are able to develop a global appeal.  Although America may be thought of as the “fast food capitol of the world,” the consumption of fast food occurs worldwide.

Post #2: All tingly inside…

The great debate between Coke and Pepsi.  Which one is better?  Well, honestly, I don’t really care.  I do start to feel a preference when I watch commercials such as the one below.  I think this commercial is kind of ironic, because consuming a sugary beverage truly has no relation to a person’s self esteem.  However, I will promote any form of media which encourages people to be unique and  comfortable with themselves.  I think this is a great example of an advertisement which can prompt purchases by engaging people’s emotions.

http://youtu.be/5zm9Pigd4F4

Now, who’s thirsty?

Post #1: Singing Fish!

I really enjoy advertising that catches my attention, something that makes an impression in a short amount of time.  Those advertisements that make me giggle like a little girl.  Until recently, I had forgotten that this commercial had ever aired.  The other day, I was riding in an elevator.  The gentleman standing next to me started quietly singing this song.  I wasn’t sure if he was aware that a sound was coming out of his mouth.  At first I tried to pretend that I hadn’t noticed, but then I started silently laughing.  Thank goodness the elevator doors opened shortly after.  It made me feel like I needed to see the commercial again.  At first, I found this commercial for McDonalds almost annoying, but then the song got stuck in my head too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIq92yp_a0c

Arnold Worldwide ad agency is responsible for the “Singing Fish” ad.  It is a very basic concept with a simple song.  But apparently, it can make a long lasting memory.