Matt Kury came and spoke to our class on Wednesday, April 16 and was very professional in dress and appearance. He works at Anchor Communications on Main Street in St. Charles and gave us interesting information about advertising. The way he presented himself made it seem, like he really enjoys working in advertising. He walked around, got us involved, and wrote on the board. To begin with he started out playing major league baseball and used his degree in Mass Communications to fall back on when his plans fell through.
He said the two main motives in advertising are frequency and reach, with frequency being slightly more important. He said that every ad agency has big clients and small clients and you have to help them choose an advertising plan that will best help their business and stay within their budget. He quotes “You are going to win some and loose some.”
Matt strongly stated that adverting is a recession proof system because people always have to communicate to their target market to keep business and the economy moving. He said that new businesses should spend more on advertising in the beginning to make customers aware of products and/or services; about 10% of their total budget. After the business is established the average ad budget should be around 6%.
He said the ad business can be fun and stressful. The months of December through February are normally bad because everyone is paying off Christmas debt and paying taxes and spend less on advertising. However, in March and April the sales pick up and times get better. Matt’s advice to us was similar to Cameron’s advice. He said get experience because it is better than knowledge. Write like you talk and divide yourself from the rest because there is competition.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Cameron Satterfield Blog
Cameron Satterfield came and spoke to our class on Monday, April 14. I thought it was very interesting how large his career change was after graduating college. He currently is the Director of Public Information for the St. Charles County Health Department, but before that he worked at a television station in Omaha, Nebraska. I would not have thought that going from fast paced, deadline oriented news and televisions stations to sitting at your desk and writing news releases about health issues would have been a typical career flow for a communications person. However, he enjoys working a normal 9 to 5 job and working at his own pace instead of getting up at 2 am to do the morning news broadcast.
Cameron’s job entails writing news releases, writing 2 new letters a year, updating the website, and taking public opinion questions. He said the average salary for his position (he did not say his actual salary) was around $50,000 and depends on experience. He says the government normally pays less than a corporate business.
Cameron was highly involved in communications in high school and college. In high school he was involved in Radio Explorers and had several communications internships in college. He advised us, as college students, to do the same. The more experience the better. He said the most important skill we can develop is writing because just about every job in some way or another involves some writing. He encouraged us that even though our beginning salaries might be low if we preserve there is room to move up.
Cameron’s job entails writing news releases, writing 2 new letters a year, updating the website, and taking public opinion questions. He said the average salary for his position (he did not say his actual salary) was around $50,000 and depends on experience. He says the government normally pays less than a corporate business.
Cameron was highly involved in communications in high school and college. In high school he was involved in Radio Explorers and had several communications internships in college. He advised us, as college students, to do the same. The more experience the better. He said the most important skill we can develop is writing because just about every job in some way or another involves some writing. He encouraged us that even though our beginning salaries might be low if we preserve there is room to move up.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Advertising-- What & Why
Name of Product: Pepsi Cola
Pepsi Commercial
Year Made: 2005
This ad was actually banned from being played on live television, but it is listed as one of the funniest commercials on many global websites. If it were on TV I would think that it would be played during kids shows to teach children brand preference.
Q& A: I really liked this ad because the ending was not at all what I was expecting. In the beginning the boy buys a Coke, and then you see him buy another Coke. The conclusion is that he really likes Coke, but in the end you see him stand on the two Coke cans to reach the Pepsi button on the vending machine. He then proceeds to walk away with the Pepsi, leaving the Coke cans behind. It gets your attention in many ways. To begin with the boy is a cute little boy, and plays to the fact that children and animals catch attention. It also keeps your attention because not a lot of action happens until the end when he steps on the Coke cans. It is effective because it shows that children, who normally don’t care if they get Pepsi or Coke, are willing to spend the extra money to get the Pepsi. So often this is an adult issue, so adding a child to play the role adds to the irony. It is a very funny commercial but the deeper message is that Coke is bad and Pepsi is good, therefore drink Pepsi and not Coke. This ad does have puffery, especially that of irrelevant comparisons. Pepsi and Coke have always been rivals and to say that Coke is literally under Pepsi’s feet is controversial. The ad is really selling superiority. The idea that the boy had to step up to the Pepsi button shows that Pepsi is of a higher quality than Coke. Unfortunately for Pepsi I did not and will not go out and buy a Pepsi after seeing this commercial. That is because I don’t like soda, though.
Year Made: 2005
This ad was actually banned from being played on live television, but it is listed as one of the funniest commercials on many global websites. If it were on TV I would think that it would be played during kids shows to teach children brand preference.
Q& A: I really liked this ad because the ending was not at all what I was expecting. In the beginning the boy buys a Coke, and then you see him buy another Coke. The conclusion is that he really likes Coke, but in the end you see him stand on the two Coke cans to reach the Pepsi button on the vending machine. He then proceeds to walk away with the Pepsi, leaving the Coke cans behind. It gets your attention in many ways. To begin with the boy is a cute little boy, and plays to the fact that children and animals catch attention. It also keeps your attention because not a lot of action happens until the end when he steps on the Coke cans. It is effective because it shows that children, who normally don’t care if they get Pepsi or Coke, are willing to spend the extra money to get the Pepsi. So often this is an adult issue, so adding a child to play the role adds to the irony. It is a very funny commercial but the deeper message is that Coke is bad and Pepsi is good, therefore drink Pepsi and not Coke. This ad does have puffery, especially that of irrelevant comparisons. Pepsi and Coke have always been rivals and to say that Coke is literally under Pepsi’s feet is controversial. The ad is really selling superiority. The idea that the boy had to step up to the Pepsi button shows that Pepsi is of a higher quality than Coke. Unfortunately for Pepsi I did not and will not go out and buy a Pepsi after seeing this commercial. That is because I don’t like soda, though.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
What & Why -- Television
Title: I Love Lucy
Network: CBS Television
Now runs on TV Land
This show is now cable.
This show is in syndication.
Production Company: Desilu Studios
Parent Company: CBS
Years Run: 1951-1957
Producers: Jess Oppenheimer (150 episodes); Desi Arnaz (150 episodes)
Director: Ralph Levy
Writers: Madelyn Pugh Davis, Bob Carroll, Jr.
Stars: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley
Q &A: Set mostly in New York City, I Love Lucy centers on housewife Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball), and her singer/bandleader husband Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz), along with their friends and landlords Fred Mertz (William Frawley) and Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance). In later seasons, Lucy and Ricky had a son named Little Ricky. Lucy is somewhat naïve and ambitious, with an overactive imagination and a knack for getting herself into trouble. Primarily she is obsessed with joining her husband in show business. Fred and Ethel are former vaudevillians and this only strengthens her resolve to prove herself as a performer. I was first introduced to this show when I was a very small child. I started watching it because my parents watched it and at that time I thought my parents were so cool and I wanted to do what they did. I love this show because it is good clean fun. Lucille Ball was so talented in that she could make any activity funny. The story lines were simple, and always had a happy ending. It makes me appreciate the simple things in life. There was no profanity, nudity, or extreme violence. Most of the shows were set in the same location, and the viewer almost feels like they live in that apartment and go through the issues that Lucy and her friends go through. Sometimes the show is predictable, but that often adds to the humor. I would definitely recommend this TV show to anyone. It deals with real life issues that just about anyone can relate to.
Network: CBS Television
Now runs on TV Land
This show is now cable.
This show is in syndication.
Production Company: Desilu Studios
Parent Company: CBS
Years Run: 1951-1957
Producers: Jess Oppenheimer (150 episodes); Desi Arnaz (150 episodes)
Director: Ralph Levy
Writers: Madelyn Pugh Davis, Bob Carroll, Jr.
Stars: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley
Q &A: Set mostly in New York City, I Love Lucy centers on housewife Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball), and her singer/bandleader husband Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz), along with their friends and landlords Fred Mertz (William Frawley) and Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance). In later seasons, Lucy and Ricky had a son named Little Ricky. Lucy is somewhat naïve and ambitious, with an overactive imagination and a knack for getting herself into trouble. Primarily she is obsessed with joining her husband in show business. Fred and Ethel are former vaudevillians and this only strengthens her resolve to prove herself as a performer. I was first introduced to this show when I was a very small child. I started watching it because my parents watched it and at that time I thought my parents were so cool and I wanted to do what they did. I love this show because it is good clean fun. Lucille Ball was so talented in that she could make any activity funny. The story lines were simple, and always had a happy ending. It makes me appreciate the simple things in life. There was no profanity, nudity, or extreme violence. Most of the shows were set in the same location, and the viewer almost feels like they live in that apartment and go through the issues that Lucy and her friends go through. Sometimes the show is predictable, but that often adds to the humor. I would definitely recommend this TV show to anyone. It deals with real life issues that just about anyone can relate to.
Extra Credit: Clip
Sunday, February 24, 2008
What and Why- Music
Artist: Aaron Shust
Name and Songs: Anything Worth Saying
“Matchless,” “My Savior My God,” “Stillness (Speak to Me,)”
Record Label: Brash Music
Year Released: 2005
Genre: Contemporary Christian
Q & A: It actually took me a little while to find this album. I knew he was a contemporary Christian artist so I checked the Christian bookstores. I tried three separate stores and finally found 1 copy in the third store. Three weeks later he had a whole rack of his CD in the same store. I think one of his songs got in the top 10 Christian artists that week. I learned about this artist on the radio. I liked the way his voices sounded and the chord progressions that flowed through the songs. I would recommend this album because many of Shust’s songs give life and hope. So many artists sing about how their life is bad and they have no way out. Shust’s songs tell of a loving God that forgives and heals. Growing up I have always listened to Contemporary Christian music, but since in college I have tried to broaden my horizons. I like country. Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, and Kenny Chesney, are pretty good. I also like a lot of soft rock, but I am pretty bad at keeping track of artists and song titles. Most of the time I only listen to music on the radio in my car. I don’t have an i-pod, or MP3 player. I just have no desire to have music with me wherever I go. I do listen to CDs, but most of the time I listen to them three or four times and then they just collect dust. When I do buy a CD, which I haven’t done in about 2 years, I buy them at the Christian bookstore.
Name and Songs: Anything Worth Saying
“Matchless,” “My Savior My God,” “Stillness (Speak to Me,)”
Record Label: Brash Music
Year Released: 2005
Genre: Contemporary Christian
Q & A: It actually took me a little while to find this album. I knew he was a contemporary Christian artist so I checked the Christian bookstores. I tried three separate stores and finally found 1 copy in the third store. Three weeks later he had a whole rack of his CD in the same store. I think one of his songs got in the top 10 Christian artists that week. I learned about this artist on the radio. I liked the way his voices sounded and the chord progressions that flowed through the songs. I would recommend this album because many of Shust’s songs give life and hope. So many artists sing about how their life is bad and they have no way out. Shust’s songs tell of a loving God that forgives and heals. Growing up I have always listened to Contemporary Christian music, but since in college I have tried to broaden my horizons. I like country. Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, and Kenny Chesney, are pretty good. I also like a lot of soft rock, but I am pretty bad at keeping track of artists and song titles. Most of the time I only listen to music on the radio in my car. I don’t have an i-pod, or MP3 player. I just have no desire to have music with me wherever I go. I do listen to CDs, but most of the time I listen to them three or four times and then they just collect dust. When I do buy a CD, which I haven’t done in about 2 years, I buy them at the Christian bookstore.
Monday, February 18, 2008
What & Why-- Movies
Movie Title: Finding Nemo
Movie Studio: Pixar Animation Studios
Parent Company: Walt Disney Pictures
Other Movies Made by Pixar: Toy Story, Toy Story 2, The Incredibles, Monsters Inc., A Bug's Life, Cars, Ratatouille
Producer: Graham Walters
Director: Andrew Stanton, and Lee Unkrich
Writer: Andrew Stanton
Stars: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, William Dafoe, and Elizabeth Perkins
Q & A: Pixar’s Finding Nemo is a father-son underwater adventure about a fish, named Marlin and his son Nemo, a boy clown fish, who is stolen from his home in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, and taken to a fish tank in a dentist's office in Sydney. His timid father and a blue tang fish named Dory with short-term memory loss must follow the East Australian current in order to get to Sydney and take Nemo home. I have actually seen this movie in the theaters, on DVD, and on television. I was actually interested in this movie because I love children’s movies! Seeing a nice clean movie with funny (sometimes corny) humor is refreshing. Finding Nemo also teaches right character traits such as perseverance, patience, and self sacrifice. Many other Hollywood movies are displaying quite the opposite. It may sound funny but the animations and colors that are created are so realistic is almost seems like you are actually there. I love how all of the different human characteristics are given to different sea animals. For example, the sea turtles are Jamaican, the sharks are friendly to fish, Dory has short term memory loss, the angle fish with the scar is reserved, and Marlin and Nemo have to relate to all of them along the way on thier adventure. I would definitely recommend this movie, first off because it is a great piece of artistic film. The story line keeps your attention, and there are always unsuspected events that happen throughout the entire movie.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Controversies Blog
The controversy over the impact of images is one that can have a very wide variety of opinions. The controversy reveals how magazines define people, particularly woman, as having the perfect body. Magazine models are normally 5’11 and weigh 120 lbs. Whereas, the average American woman is 5’4 and weighs 144 lbs. Magazine models also have perfect proportions, and flawless golden tan skin. My stand on this issue is that the models should not look this way. To begin with, the models themselves are probably not getting the nutrition that their body needs because they must have to starve themselves to get that certain appearance. Secondly, American women think that in order to be beautiful, they have to fit into this model’s appearance. Therefore, they have overwhelming guilt thrown on them when they give into the huge donut advertisement leading them to the fresh baked glazed donuts. This is showing that our marketing strategies as a society are contradictory. Companies are telling us to eat more and more food, but expecting us to have smaller and smaller waistlines. It just won’t work! The result is consumers who have poor self- esteem and frustration. Men are not excluded from this model. Men are portrayed as having extremely muscular broad bodies, but are also expected to be able to eat massive “manly” meals, and drink beer like it is water. The two ideas just do not mesh. I am so passionate about this controversy because I am a victim of the impact of images. Even in elementary school I always thought I was overweight, and went through several eating disorders. Still when I see a magazine of a perfect woman on the cover I compare myself, and think “I wish I could look like that.” The truth is that true beauty cannot be seen with human eyes. It is within the character and soul of a person, and that is a truth the media has trouble flashing on a cover of a magazine.
What and Why- Magazines
Magazine: Time
Publisher: Time Warner
Type of Magazine: Consumer (Political)
Subscription: No
Q&A:
I picked up this copy of the magazine at the Lindenwood mailroom. When someone has a subcription to a magazine and does not have a mailbox at Lindenwood, the mailroom workers (that's me) are free to take them. I believe that this magazine is a consumer magazine because it has advertisements in it and comes out several times a month. It has large headings on the front trying to catch the eye of the consumer. I believe that this magazine targets the mature Americas who are seriously concerned about the affairs of America. The advertisements are for T.Rowe Price, and Fidelety targeting the inverstors. Prilosec OTC, and Promise Cardiologist Endorsed butter are targeting the middle aged to older age Americans who are health consious. The articles are also in very small print, only keeping the attention of those who are seriously interested. I am somewhat their target market. The younger generation is the future of America, and the sooner the media can get me to think about the future of America the better. The faces of Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama facing each other are on the cover. This caught my attention because the election is coming up soon, and I need all of the information I can get on the candidates to make the best vote in November. I would recommend this magazine because it made me aware of all the issues that are going on in America. So many people my age are reading celebrity magazines and sports magazines and have no idea what is going on in thier own county. I think Time magazine is a solid magazine to receive information on the state of the country.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Julie Beard Blog
The presentaion by Julie Beard was very enlightening. Trying to decide what story should have the most importance on a newscast, and what story should be left out was a tough decision. Her input helped me see that journalism is so much more than just writing news stories. You have to go out there and ask questions, and find out opinions. You have to make sure that you get a wide variety of opinions. I also thought that the discussion about diveristy in the news media was interesting. I do think that someone reporting on a certian culture who is from that culture would be able to create the best story. However, there is always something in that that makes it look steriotipical. Julie also made me see how technology in journalism is increasing. I had never thought of having tons of job options on online journalism, but I guess that is the new wave of news media.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
What & Why -Books
Title: Redeeming Love
Author: Francine Rivers
Publisher: Multnomah Books
Parent Company: Random House
Summary: California's gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep. Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside. Then she meets Michael Hosea. Michael Hosea obeys God's call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. But Angel’s heart is frozen, and once it thaws she is left with feelings of worthlessness and fear. So she runs away, and can only find true healing from her creator.
Type of Book: Trade Book
Type of Reader: I am a Casual Reader
Q & A: I found this book in the library, but it was recommended to me by my English teacher in high school. This book really impacted me because it puts a Bible story that is often overlooked into real life adding some fictional content. The story of Hosea and his obedience to God to marry a prostitute shows the underlying message that God takes mankind into his presence even with all of our mistakes and sins. God also comes back to take us in again even when we run away. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone because it shows the immense struggles of a woman that has been taken advantage of her whole life and can still find unconditional love. So many people struggle with issues in life and think there is no hope. This book helps open their eyes to see the truth. I would also recommend the author, Francine Rivers. The majority of her books are based on little known biblical stories that are brought to life by adding a slight amount of fiction. She really helps readers look into the minds of the story characters to help the readers see through the eyes of the characters.
Author: Francine Rivers
Publisher: Multnomah Books
Parent Company: Random House
Summary: California's gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep. Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside. Then she meets Michael Hosea. Michael Hosea obeys God's call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. But Angel’s heart is frozen, and once it thaws she is left with feelings of worthlessness and fear. So she runs away, and can only find true healing from her creator.
Type of Book: Trade Book
Type of Reader: I am a Casual Reader
Q & A: I found this book in the library, but it was recommended to me by my English teacher in high school. This book really impacted me because it puts a Bible story that is often overlooked into real life adding some fictional content. The story of Hosea and his obedience to God to marry a prostitute shows the underlying message that God takes mankind into his presence even with all of our mistakes and sins. God also comes back to take us in again even when we run away. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone because it shows the immense struggles of a woman that has been taken advantage of her whole life and can still find unconditional love. So many people struggle with issues in life and think there is no hope. This book helps open their eyes to see the truth. I would also recommend the author, Francine Rivers. The majority of her books are based on little known biblical stories that are brought to life by adding a slight amount of fiction. She really helps readers look into the minds of the story characters to help the readers see through the eyes of the characters.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
International Student Interview on Media
I chatted with my suitemate named Yu from Japan about the media differences in the US and Japan. She said that Japanese media really has one opinion, or one central theme, whereas the media in the US has numerous opinions and angles. For example, in the Presidential election coverage, US media says whatever they want about the candidates. In Japan the people just accept their leader and no one disrespects him/her. The TV shows in Japan are based on US trends and are dominated with music videos. Technology in Japan is actually more advanced that in the US. She said that just as many people in Japan have cell phones as people in the US, and the cell phones are much smaller and more advanced. ( That really suprised me.) Although, she said that not all Japanese people have the other advances that we have, such as laptops, i-pods, and GPS devices. The first thing that Yu noticed about the US media was how people say whatever they want and it is accepted. In Japan, if someone said something alternative to the majority, they would be shunned by society. She also said that Americans take their freedom of speech for granted alot. She believes that the freedom is wonderful, though and is thankful to be able to be in this country.
Monday, January 28, 2008
The Millennials Blog Post
After reading the “Millennials” information, the first statement that jumped out at me was the idea that this generation “has a respect for authority.” I cannot speak for all people in the Millennials generation, but from what I have seen, it seems like my generation is very disrespectful, especially to parents, teachers, and anyone else that wants to tell them what to do. They are independent and don’t want to be held down. I also believe that they drink as much alcohol as past generations, and consume more faster. I also believe that it is sad that the libraries are only used for group meetings. I, personally, fall into the Millennials category somewhat, but have not surrendered to all of these statements. I still use the library to read books. I don’t have an i-pod, i-phone, or any other high tech device. And I do read the newspaper. (When it is sitting on the kitchen table.) My advice to the older generation is that it will always be hard for them to understand why we do the things we do, but to keep asking questions and try to realize the advances in technology are similar to what happened in their generation with the invention of the television and household appliances.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Welcome to Survey of Professional Media
Hello everyone! My name is Andrea Jones and I am from Florissant, Missouri; a county just about twenty minutes northeast of Lindenwood. I am very excited because I just changed my major last semester from Elementary Education to Corporate Communications. It was a big change, but I finally think I am in the right place. I am leaning more towards the marketing/ advertising aspect of the major, but I am still not quite sure. I still have a lot to learn about the communications/ business field. I am not heavily involved with Lindenwood activities, due to the fact that I have a part time job as a server at Bandana’s BBQ, and am an independent small business owner within a nutrition company. I do try to get involved with different Christian campus ministries, though. Something interesting about me was that I was a WWII and Civil War re-enactor on high school. I wore all of the clothes, scrimmaged around the field, and shot the big, bad M1 rifles. It was defiantly and experience. I am not a huge television show person, but my roommate has gotten my hooked on Heroes, Deal or NO Deal, and yes, American Idol. My favorite movies are the old classics, including Singing in the Rain, Sound of Music, and any Shirley Temple movie. Recently, though I enjoy action, such as the X-Men series, Transformers, and the Spiderman series. I am so excited this semester to learn things in my communications classes that I know nothing about, but know I will need in my career.
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