Reflection

I have learned so much over this semester, especially in this unit for Critical Thinking. I discovered how much media really impacts our lives, opinions, and point of view. 

The amount of media we consume is very surprising to me. I had no idea that we consume such a large amount. The media impacts the way we think, and what our opinions are on what the media is telling us about. The media has a narrow view on certain subjects, and if we consume that narrow opinion, it will become our own opinion, too. For example, our perception of "beauty" is what we see in the media -- skinny, tan, perfect skin, etc. We have these opinions because the media imposes them on us, and we accept them. 

The fact that I know much more about marketing and advertising techniques has definitely changed how I view the media. I am able to identify what the advertiser is trying to target, and how they may be distorting my perception of their product. I can see that the media can easily influence and distort our perception of things, and I am more aware of that. I think more about what I see in the media, and know that there are other sides to the story or other opinions on the subject, besides what the media is telling us.

I definitely consider myself more media literate than I was at the beginning of the unit. I may not be completely literate in every area, but I feel much more knowledgeable on the subject. I think I have learned how to determine the messages, appeals, and techniques in an advertisement. I think this skill is very useful because I question the media's messages, and know that they aren't all honest. 

I'm not sure if my media consumption habits have changed this semester.  I am definitely more aware of what is portrayed in the media, but I am unsure of a way to limit my intake of media. Although the amount of media I consume may not have changed, the way I perceive it, and the way it affects me definitely has. 

It is very important to be media literate. Many people don't realize how much the media affects them, and their perception of the world around them. It is important to know when advertisers are being honest, and to know that the media's view on a subject is not the only view. It is also important that people know that they don't always need to listen to the media, and that the media often twists the way we think - not for the good. Being an educated consumer is just as important as having media literacy. When taking things in from the media, it is important to know how honest the media is being. Consumers should know that the media easily manipulates our opinions. and the way the media portrays things is not always the only way it's viewed. 

Keeping this log kept my mind aware of all the advertisements and techniques used in the media. It helped me see how much the media really affects us, and how specific audiences are targeted, as well as specific appeals used in different advertisements. This blog also showed me how a consumer can perceive an advertisement as one thing, but it is actually saying something else that the consumer may not notice. 

I found the documentaries we watched about the media in class very interesting. It really opened my eyes to how deceitful the media can be. For example, the way the media portrays women, from Miss Representation was very eye opening. I never realized how unequally women are treated/viewed  compared to men, consciously or subconsciously. I also think it is very  interesting the way the media affects us subconsciously. For example, in one of the films we watched, they talked about the "reptilian effect", which was what subconsciously compels us to buy things. I think it is important to have media literacy to realize these effects that the media has, and this blog has helped me do that. 

Beauty?

It's strange to see what really goes on behind the scenes to make the "perfect woman", and thats exactly what this Dove Film shows. How can we compare ourselves to women in the media, and be unhappy with ourselves, when what we are seeing isn't realistic itself? 

Women are set to such high standards, and are criticized when they don't meet them. But, it is impossible to meet them all. We see in this video that the media completely distorts our vision of beauty. How can we consider the image at the end beautiful, when it is just a digital creation? Not many people know how completely photoshopped the media can be. The woman at the end of the clip is absolutely nothing like her actual self. This is why it is unrealistic to compare ourselves to the women in the media, but of course, we do it anyways. 

Society's expectations for women distort what we see as beauty. Not only do women feel self conscious because of the media's influence of what we should be like, but other people judge women compared to these images of beauty in their minds. In Miss Representation, we can see how people criticize women compared to what the media's expectations for them. Women are so objectified, that even in powerful positions, women are constantly criticized on looks. For example the newscasters in Miss Representation. The women are talked about based on their looks, men are talked about based on what they say. Why? Because the media makes us think that looks are all that matter for a woman. 

Lucky Charms

This Lucky Charms commercial targets kids, and uses aesthetic sensation and curiosity. 

In the advertisement it shows children around the Lucky Charms Leprechaun and seeing whats in the cereal. All of the colors and "magic" from the shapes of the cereal and the leprechaun would intrigue young watchers. All of these shapes, colors, and magic gives the children watching the impression that if they eat the cereal they will feel magical and see leprechauns too. 

The colors and magic in the commercial would also make the kids watching very curious about the cereal. At the end of the commercial, the kids and leprechaun hop on a rainbow and start to go somewhere...but where? This would spark a kid's imagination. It gives them the idea that if they eat the cereal the leprechaun will take them imaginary places too. 

I think this commercial is effective on kids, especially because the leprechaun tells what shapes and flavors are in the cereal. If a kid hears marshmallows are in cereal, it means sugar, and of course kids are after sweets. Lucky Charms are also referred to as "magically delicious" and the overall commercial gives kids that Lucky Charms are magical. This commercial is definitely effective on kids.

Dior- "Midnight Poison"

This advertisement for Dior's "Midnight Poison" perfume appeals to curiosity and the need for aesthetic sensation. 

When a consumer first looks at the advertisement, they see all these dark, twisted colors with a woman almost emerging from them. We don't know what the colors are; they could be clothes, they could be outer space, who knows. The important thing is that it doesn't matter what it is, as long as it grabs the consumer's attention. The word "poison" in the name also would grab the reader's attention by making the product attractive in an edgy way, because poison has a dangerous connotation to it. 

 A connection could be made through the sparkles within the dark colors near the woman. The word "midnight" in the name is  shown because these shiny/sparkly things look like stars, and make the background look like the midnight sky. "Midnight" can also have an edgier connotation to it because its dark and could be portrayed as somewhat scary for some people. The dark colors in the advertisement reinforce the dark, edgy tones the creators set for this product. 

I think this advertisement is very creative and appeals to people looking for "edgier" tones in their lives. This advertisement definitely grabs a consumer's eye, but I'm not so sure it convinced me to buy their product. 

Pepsi Truck

This Pepsi truck appeals to curiosity and autonomy. The first thing we notice when looking at the truck, is that all the crates of Pepsi are packed upside down. The creativity would grab the attention of a consumer because it is different. It would give the impression that Pepsi is different, and if you drink it it will make you different, and stand out. Since the Pepsi is upside down, it shows that it is defying gravity. This gives the impression that the Pepsi is strong and independent, which will make you strong. Since trucks are a large way of transportation fro many products, this truck stands out, also adding to the need for autonomy that would be associated with the Pepsi brand on the truck. 

This creates a personality for Pepsi. Instead of just being a drink, it would be a drink that makes you who you are, and makes you stand out from everyone else, just like the truck. Since this truck is so unique, it shows that Pepsi is unique, and if you drink it, Pepsi will make you unique too. 

All of the Pepsi brands on the truck also show the technique of repetition. On each crate there is a brand, and along with that there is a larger Pepsi brand on the back of the truck. The colors are also very prominent on this truck, because it is all red and blue. Since red and blue are the colors of Pepsi, and those are the only colors on the truck, it gives the impression that Pepsi is dominant. 

I think this advertisement is effective. It is so creative, and I really liked that. I think that this would grab anyone's attention on the road, and make them associate this unique advertisement with Pepsi, and make them inclined to buy it. 

Verizon Commercial

This commercial for Verizon uses the need to nurture, and has a very heartfelt appeal. Throughout the commercial we see the child growing up, and his mother raising him. It shows how the mother is there for life events, and we can see that she loves him very much. 

The lighting and music are very important to this commercial. Throughout the advertisement, the colors have a very soft pastel glow to them, making everything seem calm and happy. The music is in the background, and also gives a happy, relaxed element to the commercial because it is slow and soft. This makes the consumer feel reassured and relaxed. 

At the end, it says "knowing you can still reach out". This is targeting mothers as the audience, because it shows even when their child grows up, and leaves home, that they can still connect with them through Verizon. The commercial gives the impression that Verizon will give a clear view of their child's life, and that Verizon is the only provider that can keep you close with your child. The target audience could also be the children who have moved out and want to keep in touch with their parents. At the end of the commercial it says "get mom a lucid 2...". This makes the consumer feel closer to the commercial, and more personal becuase it says "mom" as if someone they are related to was talking to them, instead of saying "your mom". 

This commercial was cute, but I don't know how effective it was. I thought the "story" was likable, but this commercial probably wasn't effective on me because i wasn't the target audience. 

Kellogg's To Go

This commercial for Kellogg's breakfast to go uses many techniques. One of these techniques is the need to escape, and other appeals of color and types of people. 

In this advertisement they show "breakfast on the go" and all of these different places that the spoons are going. The spoons represent breakfast travelling. The voice over of the commercial talks about breakfast going where it likes- implying travel and freedom. This commercial gives the consumer the idea that they can go wherever they like without having to worry about nutrition; the Kellogg's breakfast to go will take care of that. 

The people in this commercial all seem very happy, and free. They are doing everyday ordinary things, and are happy with their Kellogg's breakfast. This shows that ordinary people can be happy with this breakfast, and it will be satisfying. The advertisers want the consumer to feel as if this breakfast is more nutritious, faster, and more convenient  than any other. This is shown through the "traveling spoons" and the people walking outside, going places. 

I liked this commercial and thought it was effective. It made me feel happy and free, and the Kellogg's breakfast to go seemed to be very convenient!