Media Blog Reflection

     When I started my media blog, I thought it would just be an assignment to go along with what we were learning in class. But as I updated it more and more, I realized that it was much more than just that. After only a few entries, I could already see how it affected my awareness of the media in my life and how it affected my ability to apply the skills I learned in class to the media I saw on a daily basis. I also became more aware of the effects of the media, such as the harmful effects it has on women and the "feedback loop" that occurs.
     The media blog made me more aware of media because I was studying it on a weekly basis. I found that while watching commercials at home I was able to almost instinctively watch with a conscious and present mind. I also became good at analyzing commercials without even thinking about it. Advertisements would come on and I would immediately not only watch them critically, but also be able to identify appeals and advertising techniques quickly. After doing this for weeks, I found that my perception of the media had shifted from seeing it as just a persistent marketing presence to seeing it as a dark and twisted entity that constantly surrounded me and tried to make me give in to my superficial and egotistical desires. I came to a better understanding about how much power and ruthlessness companies have and use in their advertising.
     Watching "Merchants of Cool" introduced me to the feedback loop, and I got to see how it worked firsthand when doing my media logs. I noticed change in the format and content of ads as trends came and went. This allowed me to see how the feedback loop works--I got to see the trends around me in my experiences influence the media and then got to see trends in the media influence the world around me in turn. I also saw the damaging effects this could have on young consumers who sometimes feel like less of a person because of what the media they are exposed to tells them they should be. After watching "Miss Representation," I got a clearer picture of how and to what extent young girls are harmed by the media. This made me more aware of the way women were portrayed in the ads that I analyzed, leading me to realize that women are so often put in commercials just to look good, and, because of the professional grade makeup and production value, they set a completely unrealistic standard of beauty for women. It makes it so that young girls think they should be that beautiful and often causes them to feel inferior, leading to harm in their life. Being able to see this in the ads that I analyzed made me aware of how big of a problem this was and continues to be.
     Overall, this media blog made me more aware and critical of the ads I see on a daily basis, reminding me that they're all just companies trying to make money. It also gave me good practice at breaking down ads into simple appeals and advertising techniques, a skill that is very valuable in a world of almost ceaseless media influence. In addition to that, I became more aware of the feedback loop and how the media's depiction of women can be especially harmful to young girls.

Media Log 11

This a commercial for McDonald's that aired recently. It's really more of a commercial for the company and brand itself, rather than a specific product. But that's the thing about it--not only doesn't it show a specific product, it doesn't really show any sound reason for why McDonald's is good. What it does show is many classic and well-known movie, cartoon, and video game rivals getting along in the name of love, followed by the McDonald's logo.

The commercial, with its charming animation and music, appeals to the need for aesthetic sensations and makes us feel creative, as well as giving us a more optimistic attitude about life and love. It delivers this using the advertising technique of diversion to talk about something that has nothing to do with McDonald's and make the consumer associate the company with it.

The explicit message, stated directly through the song and exemplified through the animation, is that "love is endless." It suggests that love can break down all barriers, including age-old rivalries. The implicit message is that McDonald's is built on the foundation of love and that the message that "love is endless" is essential to the McDonald's company.

All of these things culminate to make the viewer/consumer think that McDonald's is a loving, comforting place and brand that, somehow, through their food, they can bring the world together in the name of love.

Miss Representation Media Log (#10)

The commercial shown above is not the best representation of the way women are treated in the media, but it is a fair example. As seen in many advertisements for alcohol, men are the ones drinking. In this case, two men are shown as the main characters and make a bet for a boat by means of a dance-off. The women that are seen in the commercial only serve as "decoration" and have no lines. This commercial alone is not what's so demeaning; it's the overall way women are treated in the media that is so harmful. In almost every commercial for an alcoholic product, the drink is depicted as being a "man's thing." Commercials often show someone drinking a certain drink and then experiencing a classy, high-end lifestyle. In almost all of these commercials and advertisements, women are shown simply as accessories to a luxurious lifestyle. This is a very common theme in the media.

What makes the portrayal of women in the media so harmful to women (especially young women) is how people react to it. For one thing, men are constantly exposed to this type of media and are basically being told that to be real men, they have to treat women like they're objects or accessories. But it's effect on women is more harmful because many young girls start believing that their physical appearance and service to a man are their only values to society. They often try to conform to this ridiculous idea and end up becoming depressed because it's such an impossible standard. But the more it goes on, the worse it gets. This is because of what's known as the "feedback loop." Girls see this portrayal of women in media and try to conform to it. Then, it becomes almost the norm, and this portrayal of women is used by companies in their advertisements. This is how the cycle continues. Since it is a given that companies are not going to simply improve their advertisements, society has to find ways to lessen the impact of these types of messages in order to make progress toward a better portrayal of women in media. If we change in a positive way, the media will too.

Media Log 9

This is an advertisement for Netflix's video streaming service. Poking fun at the classic dramatic scene of a man chasing after a woman at an airport to profess his love, it shows a man chasing a woman just to ask her for her Netflix password.

The commercial uses the appeal to need to feel safe because of the message at the end, which tells the viewer that Netflix will be there regardless of what the holidays may bring. To deliver this, it uses the advertising technique of humor. Because the ad is funny, people don't think about the details of Netflix's service--they just associate the good feeling they get from the humor in the commercial with Netflix.

The explicit message, which is basically stated at the end of the commercial, is that Netflix is there for you no matter where the holidays take you. The implicit message is that Netflix is so good that it's more valuable than human interaction and respect. We know this because of the fact that Netflix is so important to the man in the video that he urgently runs after the woman in the airport just to get access to her Netflix account. It's funny, but also makes us subconsciously think that Netflix is the most important thing in the world.

The most important thing I noticed about this ad is the way it was presented; I found it in my Twitter timeline. As shown in the "Merchants of Cool" video, companies are constantly looking for the best and most popular way to advertise their products or services. Twitter and other social networks currently provide a direct connection to the teenage market. As also shown in the video, things that are popular or are considered cool don't stay popular or cool for long. It is because of this that social media will only be a widespread advertising tool for a limited time.

Media Log 8

One of the most popular and effective forms of advertising I see today is the form that uses clever tactics that draw the person in, and are often interactive. This type of ad is always the most effective in my opinion because of the fact that it makes a more long-lasting impression in the mind of the consumer. This advertisement by Amnesty International is one such example of this:

Amnesty International is an international, non-governmental group that is devoted to the pursuit of human rights around the world. They are also known for their clever ad design as seen above. The ad depicts a seemingly happy couple to the viewer. However, when the viewer looks away, the ad uses a vision-detecting camera to change the image so that the domestic abuse is shown. It's a genius idea because it simulates real domestic abuse, which usually only happens when nobody is watching. It uses the technique of subliminal persuasion because it is incredibly engaging and ensures that the consumer will remember the advertisement.

Amnesty International often uses the appeal to the human need to nurture. Although this ad doesn't depict any children, it still inspires the the need to nurture because you take pity on the woman being beaten, and you naturally feel the need to help her and make sure she's safe. Amnesty International tells you you can do this by donating to their cause, which generates donations for them. This is what makes ads like these so successful.

I particularly enjoy these advertisements because they are interesting and engaging to the mind, and they make me feel like I can make a difference and help other people around the world whose natural human rights are being oppressed by donating to Amnesty International's cause.