Critique

Frontline's "The Persuaders" 

The Frontline episode, "The Persuaders" is perhaps the most enlightening 60 minutes not just an advertising and public relations student, but also for producers and consumers alike. 

Throughout the episode, I was able to completely relate to each idea and topic they discussed within the realm of advertising. Overall, the show was incredibly enlightening and brought perspective to how much marketing, emotional and demographic research goes into each ad campaign out there. At times it seemed mind boggling, even overwhelming to think about what happens behind the scenes. 

The most astonishing portion of the episode was the segment on the airline Song. They provided the most ideal approach to marketing research. Their specified target audience was distinctively identified as "Carrie." The detail of this target demographic was incredible. Carrie was a wife and mother who shopped at Target but had a Neiman Marcus credit card. This extremely specific demographic played into the ethos, or emotion of the campaign- what do women desire when they travel? The emphasis on emotion within the Song ad campaign demonstrates the importance of emotion in the success and recall factors. Some of the most successful ad campaigns in recent years have appealed to a more emotional side. 

Five best emotional ad campaigns in the last decade: 

• Dove 
• Nike 
• Old Spice 
• Red Cross 
• P&G 

Watching this documentary definitely sheds a new light on marketing and the role of marketing research. I will look at advertisements and their overall campaigns more critically and thoughtfully. Not only will I be watching ads now, but thinking further into what the deeper message is for the product. What does the company want you to know about the product? But more importantly, how can they relate this message to you so that you you become emotionally engaged in it enough to want to purchase it? 

With much of the presentation focusing on the aspect of research before creating a demographic group- this can tell us a lot about persuasive techniques used in advertising. For one, we can see that everything is extremely specialized and specific to certain target demographic groups. This doesn't mean that they are the only demographic group that the product is trying to reach, but they are the ideal consumer for the product. Its really incredible to think about the effort that is made on the part of the producers to relate the consumers to the product to gain their loyalty. 

I wish that as a college student I had the time and the means to be able to watch television simply for the commercials to analyze and critique. However, all this talk of emotional appeal in advertisements got me thinking about my personal favorite advertisement involving emotional appeal. Enjoy! 

ADFLIP.com Assignment

Nikon N80 Advertisement 

Published June 2001

Vanity Fair

http://www.adflip.com/addetails.php?adID=13851&showLargeJpg=yes

Critique: How Sweet It Is

The blog, How Sweet It Is, is just as it seems- a food blog. Blogger Jessica has dedicated her life & times to creating, testing and blogging about recipes that can include just about anything. Some of her recipes include bacon and maple glazed donuts to pumpkin crème alfredo. The blog itself has many reputable qualities. For one, the layout and design of the blog is inviting and aesthetically pleasing. The blogger uses short, concise and easily understood terms to write her recipes and other thoughts. Jessica also provides a lot of personality to make the blog a more welcoming and enticing place to visit on a frequent basis. Because of her success as a blogger, Jessica has now published a cookbook comprised of all of her recipes she includes in the blog. This came from her attention to detail which earned her top followers and loyal readers. One of these details that remain so important is her use of artistically crafted food displays and the very artistic nature of these photos. Very rarely do you see a professional website, much less a blog, go to the photographic extent that she does. Jessica takes professional photos of each step and finished product of each recipe. Overall, I think this blog is excellent.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel Are Married!

Long time love Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel are married! The two tied the knot in a semi-private ceremony in southern Italy on Saturday. The couple plans to release photos of their big day on Wednesday. complete story

Adele Welcomes a Son

Pop icon Adele, 24, had a baby boy Firday Oct. 19. The name has not been released yet. This is the first child for the singer and boyfriend Simon Konecki. Adele

Lance Armstrong Officially Stripped of Tour de France Titles

Lance Armstrong has officially been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles. This order comes from  the U.S. Anti-doping agency. As a result, Armstrong is banned for life from the sport of competitive racing. details

No. 2 LSU barely beats Auburn

LSU, the No. 2 team in the SEC, barely scraped up a win against Auburn last weekend. After trading leads back and forth the entire game, AU led at the half, 10-9. Nothing happened again until Kiehl Frazier's final pass was intercepted in the last two minutes of the game. full story

Auburn suspends Bray after arrest

Tiger's wide receiver, Quan Bray, was arrested during a traffic stop near the University of West Georgia. Coach Gene Chizick announced his suspension of the player for Saturday's game against Arkansas. Team officials are unsure of how long Bray's suspension will last. more

Smith's 8 TD passes fuel dazzling win

Geno Smith throws an 8 TD pass against Baylor on Saturday. The amazing pass led the Mountaineers in a 70-63 victory in Morgantown. Coaches and officials say that if Smith keeps up his current track record he could be headed straight for a Heisman. watch the pass

10 questions for press conference

1. Why did the neighbor remain unidentified when he called the police?
2. Is there any suspicion there?
3. Have authorities spoken to any of the suspect's friends?
4. Is there any evidence for a motive? Or is this suspected to have been in cold blood?
5. Is there anything to be said for the fact that Wagner was taken into custody "peacefully?"
6. What sort of observations have been made by Wagner's teachers, family, friends and accuaintances? Anything out of the norm?
7. Did Wagner appear to be acting unusual at the point of arrest?
8. Where/how did 18-year-old Wagner have access to a gun?
9. It is curious that an attack like this would happen in braod daylight. Any thoughts on that from the authorities?
10. Does Ben have any siblings that this will affect?

Drought area expands in northern U.S., eases in south

The last week has proven to be detrimental to the upper midwest with the draught moving from the south to the upper areas of the country. As of September 18, 65 percent of the continental U.S. are under draught classification. The Dakotas have had a significant decrease in rainfall making it one of the most hard-hit areas to date. full story

Satellite Spies Dangerous East Coast Weather System

The GOES satellite caught a glimpse of a trecherous storm system in the Atlantic on Tuesday. Experts say that the system is characterized by strong winds and rain at the surface. Proper precautions are being taken in the monitering of the storm system, as those characteristics are known to produce tornados. full story

Amazing Photo: Double Rainbow Over Wyoming

On September 1, Jonmikel Pardo snapped this beautiful photo of a double rainbow at his home in Lander, Wyo. The Wyoming resident is now gaining much press for his beautiful capture of the unusual event. Pardo's photography is mostly a hobby, but his work has been featured in several regional publications. photo

Will Libya Become the Next Afghanistan?

In the wake of the U.S. Ambassador, Chris Stevens' murder, talks of Libya becoming the next Afghanistan are on the rise. An uprising is undoubtedly in the cards since the country just selected its first prime minister democratically to parliament. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell what the next move is for the country's population as blood begins to boil in the Middle East. more here

*Element of news: Prominence

Kate Middleton Topless: Italian Magazine Publishes More Photos

The invasion of privacy of Duchess Kate Middleton is being called into question after an Italian magazine published topless photos of her bathing at a private island beach. This comes after a French magazine published the exact photos just one day before. The Royal family plans to fight the invasion of privacy in a law suit that they are expected to win. full story

*Element of news: Currency/Weird

Ethiopia to Swear in New Prime Minister on Friday

The new Prime Minister of Ethiopia is set to be sworn in on Friday. Desalegn is set to succeed the ruling after the previous Prime Minister ruled for more than two decades. He represents the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front. information here

*Element of news: Timliness

Interview with Jerry Falwell Jr.

The angle of the story involves interviewing Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. on the upcoming and current projects going on here at the school. The interview will reflect on what the projects are, how they will impact the school and how will the new projects reflect the way the school is viewed from a public standpoint. The interview will be conducted casually and will contain conversational-type questions that both demand response as well as creates excitement and understanding.

Questions: 

1. What are some of the projects currently in the works here on campus? 

2. With these current constructions under way, how has it already impacted the school? (both positively and negatively)

3. What can you tell us about upcoming projects? 

4. Can you give us any hints about anything underway that the student body is unaware of? 

5. With the future of the school in mind, how do you think that the school will be impacted by the growth of the campus? 

6. We see this growth taking place physically at the school, but how is it affecting the school internally? 

7. What plans for the future do you hope will transpire as a result of the tremendous changes going on around here? 

8. Liberty is getting a lot of press lately due to speakers we have had and will have here, do you think that the architectural changes going on around here will boost that exposure or have no affect? 

9. Do you think that the student body will respond positively to the changes going on around here? 

10. How do you think the dynamics of the university will change as a result of all that is being added to the campus/or being taken away?


Stores Sources:
http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=62876
http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=61201
http://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=55790

Former Professor Pleads Guilty to Killings in Alabama

After pleading not guilty (for reason of insanity), Professor Amy Bishop, 47, pleads guilty in the killings of three students at the University of Alabama. The shootings took place on Feb. 12, 2010 during a meeting with fellow faculty. Coincidentally, the former biology professor is also charged with the murder of her brother in 1986. full story 

Could the iPhone 5 boost the entire US economy?

Officials are now suggesting that the release of the new iPhone 5 could significantly boost the US economy as a whole. With the highly anticipated release looming, many retailers of the product are bracing for the retail impact. At $300 a pop, the high-tech devices are anticipated to be a major boost. video

Texas company's massive American flag finds a place above Ground Zero 
A 5,400 square-foot American flag will be raised at the sight of Ground Zero. The huge flag comes from a simple, small company in Texas that specializes in big banners. The flag required six workers to work for three months to complete the creation. read more

3.9 & 3.10 Homework

3.9 Using the Stylebook 7
1. Estalene Smoots dropped her French class the first day of school.
2. Sadie Hoots won 3.2 million dollars on Wheel of Fortune.
3. Frustrated that their professor required them to eat fried rutabagas, the students walked out of class at 9 a.m.
4. The office manager had twenty-one plants, sixty-two cats and 2 puppies.
5. President Aubrey Lucas is originally from Compton, Ca.
6. On October 25, Ruth Ann Bobetski will turn 41.
7. Goober Hicks lives at 10 West Hardy Street. He used to live in a run down shack at 2803 Williamsburg Rd.
8. Abby gave birth to a 9 pound baby boy.
9. The President invited me to dinner at the White House, but I could not fit it into my schedule.
10. Senator Davies said his earnings had increased ten percent in the 1980's.
11. Barney the dinosaur will be executed on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
12. Twenty-five vagabonds attacked me from behind in front of the hub.
13. Snarkle found a 10-inch bug crawling in her spaghetti. "Great! Now I won't need seconds!", she exclaimed.
14. All the men in the R.O.T.C chapter wore red, white and blue pantyhose to class in January 1991.
15. The Bay City baseball team lost their final game 2 to 1 and climbed dejectedly back to their bus.

3.10 Using the Stylebook 8
1. mph
2. A civil cas is one in which an individual, businesses of agency of government seeks damages or relief from another individual, business or agency of government. A criminal case is one that the state or the federal government brings against an individual charged with committing a crime.
3. The eye witness found himself in an eye-to-eye confrontation.
4. A clock reading must accompany GMT if it is used on second reference.
5. You never capitalize "grand jury."
6. Scene 2
7. Q-tips
8. Capital (building)
9. The adjective use of "working-class" requires a hyphen.
10. Church of Christian Scientists

3.6, 3.7 & 3.8 Homework

3.6 Using the Stylebook 4
1. The first annual rutabaga-eating contest was canceled because of adverse weather.
2. Its not alright to drink an excess of beer before going to the football game.
3. Like Einstein said, "all knowledge is relative."
4.The state capitol of Louisiana is located at 3722 Dagwood Road.
5. The mayor refused to go along with the city council vote; he stated, "I descent."
6. Madonna certainly has a flare for fashion, always wearing expensive outfits.
7. The bomb totally destroyed Sen. Kitsmoot's bird cage.
8. My bright-green Chevrolet, which is in the garage, needs a new transmission.
9. Knopke's hilarious joke elicited laughter from the Midville City Council.
10. Jones laid on the floor, waiting for the job interview to begin.
11. Horowitz, an ethics major, vowed never to compromise his principles.
12. At the end of the book report, Haynes cited the World Book as a source.

3.7 Using the Stylebook 5
1. The 25-year-old man wept as he left Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
2. This November 10 will mark our anniversary.
3. Don't park the car on Rodeo Drive. Instead, park it at 12 Davies Street.
4. They spent $130 to buy a new set of nose rings.
5. Smoots moved to the north because the people are so nice there.
6. At 7 p.m. this evening, the rodeo will begin in the town square.
7. Yesterday, the terrorists blew up their home at 123 Melrose Street.
8. Twenty-two seamstresses were needed to mend the prom dress.
9. About five percent of the professors have lost their hair.
10. After two feet of snow fell at his home in Columbus, Ohio, Jones decided to leave.
11. Miss Smith bet $50 that her brother weighed more than a 1964 Chevy.
12. Guy Reel, the Gov. of California, set his trailer on fire on September 1.
13. A fire began at 3325 McDonald Drive when an oven full of rutabagas exploded.
14. During the 1970's, everyone everyone wore bell-bottom blue jeans to church.

3.8 Using the Stylebook 6
1. In August 1985, Davies rented a rutabaga stand in Augusta, Georgia.
2. Pomerantz tied the beehive to Sen. Gramm's cowboy hat.
3. About 1200 Easter rabbits were killed in the explosion of Big Dave's Bunny Warehouse, located at 2525 Hackensack Drive.
4. In the 1980's Davies left the midwest and moved to the Loire Valley in France.
5. Smoots brought two cups of coffee to the governor.
6. About eight percent of the cantaloupes have been stuffed with rutabagas.
7. Jones bet $40 that his roommate had hidden the sandwich.
8. The three university professors share a house at 613 25th Avenue.
9. After two feet of snow fell at his home in Columbus, Ohio, Davies decided to leave the midwest and move to the south.
10. On December 11, all classes will be cancelled.
11. Yesterday morning, the mayor skipped her aerobics class.
12. Davies drove 2,000,000 miles in his old Toyota Corolla before it blew up.
13. Dr. Kildare said he had filed a malpractice suit against Marcus Welby.
14. At 8 p.m. in the evening, Gov. Jim Guy Tucker of Arkansas will give a short speech in front of the Gorgas Library.

'Veggie Tales' creator speaks at Liberty's Convocation

Phil Vischer, creator of Veggie Tales, spoke Monday at Liberty University's convocation. The famous voice spoke on 'letting go' and letting God work. This was the speakers' sophomore visit to LU to speak at the convocation. Details

Forums set to discuss young adults and drunk driving

Later this month, two forums will be offered to offset the discussion of preventing drinking in young adults and drunk driving. The discussions will take place on Thursday and Monday at 1512 Florida Avenue and 2315 Memorial Avenue. The information collected from these forums will be used to form a new campaign against these matters.  More Info

Rescue workers devastated to find body of boy drowned in lake

The search for a missing 6-year-old boy ended Sunday at Smith Mountain Lake. The boy had been missing since earlier that afternoon from Bedford County. The search took place for over 3 hours and included more than 36 volunteer rescue workers. Full Story

2.9 & 2.10 homework

2.9
1. Gilligan was so charmed by the desert aisle, that he decided to marry the movie star.
2. Like that nice professor said, we should always study for our exams.
3. The cantaloupe-throwing contest was canceled, due to adverse weather.
4. Rushing to the scene of the crime, the attorney was horrified at the grizzly murder scene.
5. The criminal alluded police by hiding under a Toyota Corolla.
6. Faining illness, the President refused to make the trip to Tulsa.
7. Morgan cancelled the funeral service, after the dead man turned out to be alive.
8. Less than 100 pumpkins were piled in Smith's car.
9. Hurricane Bubba ravaged the Gulf Coast, causing $10 billion in damages.
10. The dancing troupe refused to buy their tights at wholesale.
11. The restaurant owners upped the price of rutabagas by 100 percent whenever Mark Arnold came to town.
12. The journalist's cannon of ethics prohibits taking gifts from sources.
13. Journalists should be guided by one principle: always be accurate.

2.10
1. The team, consisting of three boys and three girls, (has) a tough schedule this season.
2. None of the candidates (have) accepted the invitation to the forum.
3. The faculty (has) a meeting scheduled for this afternoon to discuss (their) grievances.
4. The drug he took and his lack of sleep (were) beginning to have an effect.
5. All of the students in the class tried hard to pass (their) final exam.
6. The neighborhood association had certain issues (they) wanted to address at the city council meeting.
7. Every journalist should try to write news stories that are as accurate as (he or she) can make them.
8. The U.S. Supreme Court normally begins (its) annual session on the first Monday of October.
9. Many of the people in the audience (see) this commercial and (react) negative to it.
10. Each parent had (their) own way of dealing with unruly children.

Tropical Storm Isaac Nears With Rainfall the Biggest Concern

With the Republican National Convention just days away in Tamps, the Gulf Coast is bracing for a high impact from Tropical Storm Isaac. The coast is on high alert with winds expected to reach 80 mph and landfall expected to be made as early as Tuesday night. Many residents near and around the Gulf are concerned for the possible outcomes to be that of Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall just 7 years ago tomorrow.
News 

Urban Outfitter’s T-Shirts Glorify Drinking: Just in Time for School

Urban Outfitters is under fire for t-shirts the company released just before nationwide schools started. The shirts have provocative messages, encouraging and glorifying drinking, that have parents as well as teachers and school officials outraged and offended. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is protesting the company's actions- there is no word on where this situation will go. News

Man killed while trying to create Bigfoot sighting

On Sunday night, a man was killed trying to fake a sasquatch sighting. The man was struck by not one but two cars. Authorities say he was wearing a ghillie suit and was virtually impossible to see.



News