Sunday, April 29, 2012
"Alcopops"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIxYmdxo4UA
This link will show you a commercial for new Smirnoff beverages that are marshmallow and whipped cream flavored. Smirnoff drinks are considered to be "alcopops." Alcoholic marketers are trying to appeal to a younger audience by developing new, sweet-tasting products. They are producing lemonade and other fruit-flavored drinks that strongly resemble other non-alcoholic drinks not only in taste, but also in their look (alcopops). Some kids were quoted saying that these drinks "go down easy" and "help introduce young people to alcoholic drinks." Data also supports that underage consumers use these alcoholic beverages. Super Market Research estimate that "one fourth of people age 19 to 20 drink coolers accounting for seven percent of all cooler drinkers."
Do you think that the look of the cans or bottles these beverages come in attract consumers under 21? Or do you believe that only the fruity taste of these beverages is so popular? Or both? Do you think the producers of these alcoholic beverages should be made to change the look of the canisters they produce their beverages in?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a2lxZZCgM0&feature=related
This link will take you to a Mikes Hard Lemonade commercial. As some of you may know, Mikes claims that they offer a nice switch up from beer. The commercial displays the creator of Mike's apparently in the dark talking so his face can't be revealed, as he explains how they create the lemonade with cartoon like lemons being shown. It portrays the lemons in a nice little fun way that certainly seems to be something that the youth would like, and not something that is so much for an adult audience. At the very end is the first time alcohol is somewhat mentioned about the drink when the creator says "and then we make the lemonade 'hard' if you know what I mean."
Do you think using this type of commercial makes Mike's Hard appealing to kids? Does the fact that Mike's advertises being mostly lemonade make it seem okay for kids to drink it? Do you think that since a lot kids don't like the taste of beer, using this lemonade type alcohol drink encourages kids to try different types of alcoholic drinks?
Meme Project: Joe Camel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ERvuMxTWUk
This is a slideshow of Joe Camel ads found on youtube. Joe Camel was a character on a children television show advertising cigarettes to kids, even though you have to be 18 years old or older to buy cigarettes and smoke legally. One of the pictures even showed a little boy wearing a camel t-shirt while smoking a cigarette. The cigarette brand he was advertising was Camel cigarettes and a camel is still shown on the Camel cigarette boxes till this day. Some viewers who have commented on the slideshow said they believe Joe Camel was cool, they did not care if he was advertising cigarettes to kids, and think he should be brought back. On the other hand, a few viewers were against Joe Camel and smoking.
Do you think if kids were to see this slideshow they would want to smoke cigarettes? Why or why not? Do you believe Camel cigarettes should change their brandname and logo to something that does include a camel or any other animals? What is your opinion about the comments made on this video? Do you agree or disagree that Joe Camel should be brought back? If so, why do you agree that he should come back?
This is a slideshow of Joe Camel ads found on youtube. Joe Camel was a character on a children television show advertising cigarettes to kids, even though you have to be 18 years old or older to buy cigarettes and smoke legally. One of the pictures even showed a little boy wearing a camel t-shirt while smoking a cigarette. The cigarette brand he was advertising was Camel cigarettes and a camel is still shown on the Camel cigarette boxes till this day. Some viewers who have commented on the slideshow said they believe Joe Camel was cool, they did not care if he was advertising cigarettes to kids, and think he should be brought back. On the other hand, a few viewers were against Joe Camel and smoking.
Do you think if kids were to see this slideshow they would want to smoke cigarettes? Why or why not? Do you believe Camel cigarettes should change their brandname and logo to something that does include a camel or any other animals? What is your opinion about the comments made on this video? Do you agree or disagree that Joe Camel should be brought back? If so, why do you agree that he should come back?
Friday, April 27, 2012
Portrayal of Alcohol in Ads
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHGMcQJxgRA
The following link presents an advertisement of the portrayal of alcohol in ads. In this advertisement a party is going on. The people in the ad appear to be in their late teens and they appear to be having fun as they dance around smiling as bright colors of light continue to flash. While the people in the ad appear to be having a good time dancing, the sound of music fades out and is replaced by the sound of car noises, followed by the sound of a car crashing, and ending with the sound of police sirens. At the very end of the ad the words “Alcohol ads show the world one way. Are you listening?” flashes on the screen followed by the logo for the World Health Organization. This wording could be understood as a way to say that the effects of drinking makes situations “look” as though they are okay, when in reality they are not.
What do you think these words mean? Do you think the words flashed at the end of this ad are true? If so, what do you think it will take for teens to wake up and see the dangers of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, especially if they are not 21?
Monday, April 23, 2012
Grand Theft Auto and Teen Violence
This is an article from Fox News about a 2003 shooting of
three police offices by an 18 year old teenager. His crime is being blamed in
part on by the violent video game series, “Grand Theft Auto”. The article is
about a pending lawsuit by the families of the victims. Their lawyer is looking
for compensation from the company that developed video game, both of the stores
that sold the teen the game, and Sony who is the maker of the Play Station
video game system. Their attorney, Jack Thompson claims, "What has
happened in Alabama is that four companies participated in the training of
Devin ... to kill three men."
Do you think that the “Grand Theft Auto” video game was
truly a training tool for Devin or do you think he would have committed these
shootings regardless? If you think yes, than do you think it is the
responsibility of the users parents to monitor the use of such a video game; or
the responsibility of the video game developers to tone down the game to
prevent a future incident?
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Teen Dating Violence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODntqYIYx7E
This video deals with the violence involved in teen dating. In this video, there is a hypothetical relationship between two teenagers. The two teenagers argue back and forth throughout the video. The arguments between the two teenagers escalate to a climax. At the climax, the male teenager initiates physical violence towards the female teenager. The male teenager apologizes to the female teenager. This cycle of fighting and making up repeats throughout the video. This video is an awareness ad about how teen violence in dating is a serious issue. This video was produced by the youth organization Reel Grrls.
What do you think about the whole issue of teenage violence in dating? How aware of this subject are you? Do you think this video is a good way to approach this issue? There is a conversation throughout the comments of this video about ways to help promote and fix this issue. Do you agree or disagree with the approaches that these comments are promoting?
This video deals with the violence involved in teen dating. In this video, there is a hypothetical relationship between two teenagers. The two teenagers argue back and forth throughout the video. The arguments between the two teenagers escalate to a climax. At the climax, the male teenager initiates physical violence towards the female teenager. The male teenager apologizes to the female teenager. This cycle of fighting and making up repeats throughout the video. This video is an awareness ad about how teen violence in dating is a serious issue. This video was produced by the youth organization Reel Grrls.
What do you think about the whole issue of teenage violence in dating? How aware of this subject are you? Do you think this video is a good way to approach this issue? There is a conversation throughout the comments of this video about ways to help promote and fix this issue. Do you agree or disagree with the approaches that these comments are promoting?
TV and teen violence
http://voices.yahoo.com/the-effects-tv-violence-teenagers-237680.html?cat=25
This article from Yahoo! discusses how TV can increase teenager violence. From a young age children watch television as a way to stay occupied. Teens now see violent acts on a variety of television programs and see it as a normal part of life. When they watch TV and see role models using violence they come to accept it more. Violence in television programs can lessen teen's morals. Television becomes the main source of information in teen's lives, over books and newspapers. Not all teens are violent by nature but violence in television seems to play an important role.
Do you think that violence on television is carried over into real life with teenagers? Does television make violence seem like it is just apart of everyday life? Do you see a decrease in morals in teens because of violent acts on television? What other negative behaviors do you think are shown on television that teenagers might see as normal, or copy? What shows have you encountered where you see a lot of violence?
This article from Yahoo! discusses how TV can increase teenager violence. From a young age children watch television as a way to stay occupied. Teens now see violent acts on a variety of television programs and see it as a normal part of life. When they watch TV and see role models using violence they come to accept it more. Violence in television programs can lessen teen's morals. Television becomes the main source of information in teen's lives, over books and newspapers. Not all teens are violent by nature but violence in television seems to play an important role.
Do you think that violence on television is carried over into real life with teenagers? Does television make violence seem like it is just apart of everyday life? Do you see a decrease in morals in teens because of violent acts on television? What other negative behaviors do you think are shown on television that teenagers might see as normal, or copy? What shows have you encountered where you see a lot of violence?
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Call of Duty
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/19/tech/gaming-gadgets/games-violence-norway-react/index.html?hpt=hp_c1
A man in Norway claimed that through Call of Duty he was able to train for the shooting that he carried out. Many disagree with the plausibility of this claim. As adolescents are the large majority of the users and owners of video games such as Call of Duty this is a topic that can really hit home. There are several points made in the article as to why his claim is not very likely to be true.
What do you think about video game violence as it pertains to adolescents? Is it a real influence? Reading through the comments what agreements and disagreements do you see?
A man in Norway claimed that through Call of Duty he was able to train for the shooting that he carried out. Many disagree with the plausibility of this claim. As adolescents are the large majority of the users and owners of video games such as Call of Duty this is a topic that can really hit home. There are several points made in the article as to why his claim is not very likely to be true.
What do you think about video game violence as it pertains to adolescents? Is it a real influence? Reading through the comments what agreements and disagreements do you see?
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Tiger Woods
This video is a controversial commercial done by Nike
featuring Tiger Woods. In the video, a background voice of his father asks him
questions about what his thinking was and what his feelings were for some
situation. Many would be lead to believe that these questions are targeting the
sex scandal that surrounded Tiger two years ago. As these questions are asked,
Tiger just stares at the camera and never responds.
Nike is a huge company that many people know about. Many
adolescents and teens would have been able to watch this video on television at
one point or another. After everything
that has happened in Tiger Woods’ life, many would probably think it is inappropriate
to advertise him because of the number young people watching. After the huge
fallout that he had, it almost seems that Nike has let him off the hook for the
mistakes he made in his life just because he is marketable. Do you believe Nike
should use Tiger Woods in their commercials anymore? Does advertising with Tiger
Woods give teens and adolescents the perception that some mistakes will not
matter if you are important enough?
Oreo Commercial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPtG_sp8Auw
This link contains an Oreo Commercial in which the Williams sisters announce that they are joining the DSRL, or Double Stuff Racing League. This announcement causes the Manning brothers to respond and create an argument between the pair of siblings. Many of the remarks made by the athletes are remarks that adolescents would make. Other commercials that were part of the DSRL series were focused on the Manning brothers as they reverted back to the childish, sibling rivalry that they may have once had. Oreo uses these athletes as spokespeople for their product as a strategy to market their double stuff Oreos.
Did you recognize these athletes or their names?
As an adolescent, have you ever bought a product because it
was endorsed by an athlete or another famous person? Have you ever not bought a
product because of its endorsements? Why or why not?
What effect do celebrity endorsements have on the teenage
consumer, if any?
An Unlikely Role Model
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdtejCR413c
The following link presents an advertisement displaying Lebron James. The film essentially talks of what he has gone through and “What should he do.” James’s commercial dictates him as being the labeled villain of the NBA, and he deems to be okay with such a name. The article ends with him just playing basketball and ignoring all the hype and critics that have plagued him for so long.
Such a commercial can be understood in multiple ways by adolescence. The advertisement was made roughly a few months after his infamous “Decision”, where he decided to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers on national television. The commercial and his choice were the topic of much controversy, causing many to ask whether he should be the role model for the NBA. He still remains the most talked about player of all time. Despite his poor label and cocky demeanor, his commercial characterizes ignoring all the insults and comments about oneself and focusing on what matters. A theme like that is admirable within a commercial, but should it be about one of the most disliked athletes in sports? Many would argue he should not be the role model for adolescents, or is he the perfect example?
NCAA Student Athletes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqKsrhkM2MU&feature=related
The video is a commercial done by the NCAA focusing on the "student" part of the term "student athlete". It highlights that these athletes are not simply dumb jocks. The commercial claims they are scholars as well, and a vast majority will go into careers that are not professional sports. The video's visual emphasizes the athlete, and the audio emphasizes the student.
Do you think the video should have shown more academics and less sports? Do you think the "dumb jock" attitude is in any way a fair stereotype? Do you think sports take away too much focus from school at such a competitive level?
The video is a commercial done by the NCAA focusing on the "student" part of the term "student athlete". It highlights that these athletes are not simply dumb jocks. The commercial claims they are scholars as well, and a vast majority will go into careers that are not professional sports. The video's visual emphasizes the athlete, and the audio emphasizes the student.
Do you think the video should have shown more academics and less sports? Do you think the "dumb jock" attitude is in any way a fair stereotype? Do you think sports take away too much focus from school at such a competitive level?
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Easy A: The Fight To Fit In
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNbPnqyvItk
A girl named Olive accidentally starts a rumor about herself that lands her a label. Since her name is already tarnished she decides to help those who have been ridiculed and put down for most of their high school experience. Everyone tries to blend in, except for Olive, and ends up getting more than she bargained for. The christian school group tries to bring Olive down for her newly acquired sport of sex before marriage and gets the school involved. After lots of deceit, the truth is finally revealed and lives will never be the same.
Have you ever spread a rumor, or been a part of a rumor? Did your school have a social ladder? Were certain groups cruel to kids that were different? Was it hard for you to be yourself in high school?
A girl named Olive accidentally starts a rumor about herself that lands her a label. Since her name is already tarnished she decides to help those who have been ridiculed and put down for most of their high school experience. Everyone tries to blend in, except for Olive, and ends up getting more than she bargained for. The christian school group tries to bring Olive down for her newly acquired sport of sex before marriage and gets the school involved. After lots of deceit, the truth is finally revealed and lives will never be the same.
Have you ever spread a rumor, or been a part of a rumor? Did your school have a social ladder? Were certain groups cruel to kids that were different? Was it hard for you to be yourself in high school?
How do Cliques Impact the Lives of Teens?
The article above is the work of a 16 year old student, Hailee, which explains her feelings about cliques and labels used by adolescents. She describes cliques in a mostly negative light, arguing that though seemingly harmless, being labeled in such ways can only prove to hold back teenagers in life, and suppresses open-mindedness. The writer also believes cliques to be avoidable and that she herself was never labeled. She suggests that cliques limit friendship and opportunities for new activities and experiences. The article ends with the writer advising teen parents to talk to their children about cliques and remind them to keep an open mind about all people.
In what ways might the writers age and background affect how the reader may perceive the information given? Do you think the teenage author may have perhaps just been lucky in having not been a part of cliques in high school? Or do you think she may just be refusing to acknowledge labels given to her? Do you think it is possible to go through life without being stereotyped or being inadvertently placed into a clique? What aspects of the writing either compel you or prevent you from taking the writer seriously?
http://www.beinggirl.ie/article/cliques-group-of-friends-good-and-bad-cliques/
High school is an interesting time for anyone, whether it's making new friends, trying a new sport or taking classes to challenge you. These four years can also be some of the most challenging for young people. There's the battle between being yourself and trying to fit in. Granted not everybody struggles to fit in or feels the need to fit in but many deal with this issue every day. There can be the constant worry of which clique you're associated with and another issue is pretending to be something you're not in order to be in that "cool clique". It's completely okay to make an effort to be friends with a certain group as long as you aren't compromising yourself. This article discusses some of the signs that you are associated in a bad clique, meaning it's not the group of people for you and there is an unhealthy level of exclusiveness.
Were there "bad cliques" in your high school? Do you think there are good and bad cliques? Why or why not? What is your opinion of these "bad cliques" and what are you basing your opinion off of?
Saturday, April 7, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YjSIvmNjT8
The movie trailer for Mean Girls depicts the stereotypes of a high school. It begins by introducing the new student, Cady, and her new friends Damien and Janice. They tell Cady all about each of the cliques and go into detail about the Plastics who rule the school. Cady seems to be allowed into their group but is betrayed by Regina. She decides she needs to seek revenge sneakily. The trailer shows a lot of drama and fighting between the teens.
Did your high school represent this highly separated social structure in any way? Even though the stereotypes are exaggerated, do you think this trailer pretty much accurately depicts cliques in high school?
The movie trailer for Mean Girls depicts the stereotypes of a high school. It begins by introducing the new student, Cady, and her new friends Damien and Janice. They tell Cady all about each of the cliques and go into detail about the Plastics who rule the school. Cady seems to be allowed into their group but is betrayed by Regina. She decides she needs to seek revenge sneakily. The trailer shows a lot of drama and fighting between the teens.
Did your high school represent this highly separated social structure in any way? Even though the stereotypes are exaggerated, do you think this trailer pretty much accurately depicts cliques in high school?
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Forever 21 & teen pregnancy
Love 21 Maternity
This link leads to Forever 21's line of maternity clothing. This store targets mainly "tween" and teenage girls but their consumer age range varies. The new addition of this line is only in stores in five states, coincidentally the five states with the highest rates of teen pregnancy (found on an online article about this topic). Forever 21 has said that the location of their stores are unintentional and there is no correlation between that and encouraging teen pregnancy.
Do you think this teen retailer is encouraging pregnancy by making a "fashion-forward" maternity line?
Would you consider this inappropriate for a clothing line which typically targets young girls?
Do you think it's just a coincidence that the maternity line is sold in the five states with the highest rates of teen pregnancy or is it a marketing strategy?
This link leads to Forever 21's line of maternity clothing. This store targets mainly "tween" and teenage girls but their consumer age range varies. The new addition of this line is only in stores in five states, coincidentally the five states with the highest rates of teen pregnancy (found on an online article about this topic). Forever 21 has said that the location of their stores are unintentional and there is no correlation between that and encouraging teen pregnancy.
Do you think this teen retailer is encouraging pregnancy by making a "fashion-forward" maternity line?
Would you consider this inappropriate for a clothing line which typically targets young girls?
Do you think it's just a coincidence that the maternity line is sold in the five states with the highest rates of teen pregnancy or is it a marketing strategy?
Camel Cigarette Advertisement
Camel Cigarette Advertisement
http://goodhealth.freeservers.com/Camel_ad_No.9_Glamour_4_%202007_2_of_2.jpg
This image is an ad for "Camel No. 9" cigarettes appearing in magazines such as: Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour. The advertisement's effects were very controversial. The brand became a favorite of many young women aged 12 to 16 years old. Camel company executives protested that their ad only targeted adults.
What audience do you think the advertisement was targeted at?
What elements of the image made the brand a hit with young females?
Why do you think cigarette companies tend to target a younger audience?
How do teens avoid being drawn in by glorified advertisements?
http://goodhealth.freeservers.com/Camel_ad_No.9_Glamour_4_%202007_2_of_2.jpg
This image is an ad for "Camel No. 9" cigarettes appearing in magazines such as: Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Glamour. The advertisement's effects were very controversial. The brand became a favorite of many young women aged 12 to 16 years old. Camel company executives protested that their ad only targeted adults.
What audience do you think the advertisement was targeted at?
What elements of the image made the brand a hit with young females?
Why do you think cigarette companies tend to target a younger audience?
How do teens avoid being drawn in by glorified advertisements?
Jersey Shore Advertisement
Jersey Shore Ad
This picture above is an add for MTV's Jersey Shore. It shows a drawing of a man and what muscles are being used while drinking. Below it says "muscles + gel + tanning bed = sex" and "Get Jersey Shored". The show has been viewed by almost every American teenager. It shows the stars drinking alcohol, having sex and getting in fights. The group boasts their Italian heritage, but many Italian groups ridicule the show and say that the show reflects negatively upon the Italian-American population.
Do you think this advertisement for the Jersey Shore tries to tell teens that if they are tan and muscular they will have sex? Is this ad positive for teen's self image or negative? Why?
This picture above is an add for MTV's Jersey Shore. It shows a drawing of a man and what muscles are being used while drinking. Below it says "muscles + gel + tanning bed = sex" and "Get Jersey Shored". The show has been viewed by almost every American teenager. It shows the stars drinking alcohol, having sex and getting in fights. The group boasts their Italian heritage, but many Italian groups ridicule the show and say that the show reflects negatively upon the Italian-American population.
Do you think this advertisement for the Jersey Shore tries to tell teens that if they are tan and muscular they will have sex? Is this ad positive for teen's self image or negative? Why?
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