Media Log Reflection

June 5, 2013

     As we first started our media unit, I truly had no idea what to expect and certainly did not think that my newly acquired knowledge on the subject would have such an impact on me. Before this unit, I never really noticed how much media impacted my life. However, as I began to learn about all of the different techniques and appeals that are used daily, I started to realize that I do base much of my life on the things I see in the media world. This is a little disturbing for me to realize because I now know that it is exactly what the media wants. It makes its commercials and advertisements based around what their audience wants to see. In this respect, it is safe to say that I had fallen into the media "trap."
     Because I am now aware of all the techniques that the media uses, whenever I see an advertisement that I like, I analyze it closely. I feel like because so many people are not aware of the media's intentions, they often give in to it much too easily and automatically buy the product because they are attracted to the advertisement or commercial. I believe that if more people become aware of the media, like I got the chance to do, they too would realize that they aren't necessarily being "lied" to, but are being persuaded unfairly through techniques such as testimonial or glittering generalities. Because I am now aware of all of the appeals and techniques used by media companies, I realize that they are there only to appeal directly to me so I will be attracted to whatever product they are trying to sell. 
     I definitely think that this unit has made me more media literate. I never used to analyze commercials, yet now I can break them down and understand the deeper meanings. At the beginning of this unit I remember paying close attention to commercials purely because I needed them for my media blogs. However, because my knowledge on the subject is now much greater, I sometimes catch myself sub-consciously analyzing them whenever I see them, whether it be a magazine ad, a commercial, or even something on the radio. I actually enjoy analyzing these commercials now because I know what to look for. Before studying the media, I had no idea how I was possibly going to break down a commercial. However, the more I practiced and the more I looked at the different techniques and appeals, used, I figured out that it is actually very simple. The media bases its advertisements around us! For this reason alone, I am now very careful on how much media I consume. I also don't get as agitated by certain commercials because I know their only intention is to appeal to a certain group of people.
     Having media literacy is something that I find to be very valuable and important. I think it is vital knowledge to have in order to keep from falling into the "trap." I also think it is important to be an educated consumer because it helps from giving in to this so called trap. For instance, I just saw a commercial for eye drops, starring a woman with very blue eyes. An educated consumer would realize that this product most likely does not bring the images that the woman in the commercial portrayed.
     Overall, keeping this blog was a way for me to learn more about the media world in a fun and hands-on way. I liked that we did this as a class because it gave me a chance to hear what my peers had to say. After thinking about all my newly gained knowledge, I am actually a little disturbed about how much the media knows about a target audience so they can appeal directly to them. All in all, I think this unit should be included in every school because it is a vital skill to have in the modern day as we encounter thousands of advertisements everyday.

Ultra Last Kitty Litter

June 2, 2013

Personally, I love this advertisement and find it very effective. I find it very clever and being a cat owner myself, very easy to relate to! I like all of the little details and actually find it a bit humorous. I have seen this advertisement in many magazines and it never ceases to entertain me.

One thing I like about this cat little ad is the use of color. I like how the color of the cat inside the house matches the color of the Ultra Last box and the orange border on the right side and bottom of the advertisement. I think this scheme helps the viewer to remember the product.

One of the basic appeals used in this ad is the "need to nurture." We don't want our cats to have to use the bathroom in a dirty, smelly litter box. However, this ad gets the point across that with Ultra Last litter, this problem can be fixed without a problem. Another appeal used is "the need to satisfy curiosity." Because it is a little strange that the cat is as big as the whole house, the reader will want to read the advertisement to see what it is all about.

This advertisement contains a lot of advertising techniques, one of them being "plain folks." The house is nice but not overly fancy and the mom and her two kids look like an ordinary family. The mom is dressed nice, suggesting that she is probably on her way to work while her kids both have backpacks on. By using the plain folks technique, it shows the reader that you don't have to be wealthy to use this cat litter. Another technique used is the "wit and humor appeal." The fact that the cat is taking up the whole house and its tail is coming out of the chimney is humorous to me. I think it efficiently gets the point across that without the proper cat litter, the smell of their litter box can fill the entire house. Another technique used is "magic ingredients." At the bottom of the advertisement it says that Arm & Hammer Baking Soda is "the secret to controlling litter odors even if you miss a scoop." The "glittering generalities" technique is also used as the advertisement stresses the idea that Ultra Last destroys odor longer. By using this technique, the reader discovers that Ultra Last must truly be the most effective cat litter. 

Overall, I think this advertisement is very effective and really proves to the reader that Ultra Last is the best. After I viewed it, I felt confident that this product is the perfect cat litter.

Maybe it's Objectifying? Or... Maybe it's Maybelline?

June 2, 2013

What I don't understand about this advertisement is why it is a product for women, yet it is objectifying a woman at the same time. This ad is obviously for makeup which is why I understand why they chose to put a giant face in the background. However, I don't have any idea what the women on the right side of the ad has anything to do with the product. The Misrepresentation video we recently watched talked a lot about how women nowadays are seen as objects. This advertisement does just that. The product is for face makeup, yet the woman's face on the right is very small. What is seen most of this objectified woman are her long legs and risque outfit. I do not think this ad is nearly as effective as it is annoying.

One of the basic appeals definitely used in this ad is the "need for attention." The blown-up, flawless face in the background captures the viewers' attention. Also, as I looked at it more closely, I noticed that the shoulder underneath the chin is bare, suggesting that the woman probably doesn't have clothes on. Another reason why this appeal is prominent in this commercial is because of the woman on the right. She is pretty and of course, skinny. Her stance and look capture the attention of the viewers.

One of the many advertising techniques used in this ad is "transfer/association." By using a flawless face and a pretty, skinny model, the viewer is more likely to find the product desirable and might even persuade them to purchase it. Another technique used is "glittering generalities." This ad states eight different things that the makeup can do. For instance, it smoothes, hydrates, enhances, etc. Also, at the very bottom of the ad is says, "Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's Maybelline." I interpreted this as saying, "it is okay if you aren't naturally pretty because Maybelline makeup will make you pretty!" Another technique used is "simple solutions." I think this ad was trying to relay the fact that if you buy this makeup, you will have flawless skin and will become very beautiful.

Overall, I really did not like this advertisement. I still can't get over the use of the objectified woman on the right. Why does a makeup ad feel the need to include a woman who is wearing a shirt with only one of her buttons buttoned, short shorts, and huge heels on? Personally, I think that if an advertisement needs to catch their viewers' attention in such an objectifying way, then their product must not be very good. I do not like this ad and don't find it very effective.