Favorite Blog of 3rd Quarter

This past quarter our American Studies teachers instructed us to write blog posts that had the intention of relating to class discussions and class themes. One such post I created that I believe accomplished that task is "Super Bowl Ads: Are They Worth it?" This post related the class discussion of advertisement's development America, as it included a commercial from this past Super Bowl, and applied it to the theme of advertising. The post raises a new question regarding advertisement, which is whether or not the increasing costs of advertisement, in particular commercials, pays off in the long run. In other words, are companies able to generate profits despite the expensive rates of $2.6 million for 30 seconds on a T.V. spot for the Super Bowl?

Super Bowls Ads, Are They Worth it?

Recently in American Studies class, we have discussed advertisement and its affect on the consumer. Looking at an ad for a sock company from the early 20th century, our class saw how drastically magazine advertisement has evolved through the present day. Ads nowadays have significantly less text, and choose promote sexual humor more than ever before. Today, we also see an alternative form of advertising everyday-commercials. Commercials are a unique form of advertisement as they increase sales in a much more visually appealing fashion than a more traditional magazine or newspaper ad. However, commercials come with a price. CBS sold more than sixty slots charging around $3 million for a 30 second slot. This doesn't include the costs for producing the commercials. This is why there are no low budget companies advertising during the super bowl. Still, are these costs worth it? Worth what? Ideally, a company hopes that their commercial will increase sales to the extent that they will make a profit after paying for the T.V. spot. One particular Super Bowl commercial that caught my attention was the following Doritos ad:



Although its too early to tell how Doritos sales will fluctuate in 2010 from this ad, Doritos reported that after their 2007 Super Bowl advertisement, their sales increased by 12%. Their ad this year may drive another significant increase in sales, as it will be remembered for the boy's comedic line "Keep your hands off my momma, keep your hands off my Doritos," one that will keep consumers laughing. Consumers are more inclined to buy a product they think they will enjoy or a product they would like to associate themselves with. Of course, not all commercials are as catchy as this Doritos one, and companies can invest alot of money in their commercial's production and T.V. spot, but not observe an increase in their products sales. This is why more traditional forms of advertising are probably more beneficial for smaller companies wishing to advertise their products without going out on a limb and purchasing T.V. spots for commercials. Which form of advertisement do you see as most appealing? The more "conservative" text-based newspaper or magazine ads, or more sexually humorous T.V. commercials? At the same time, which of these two advertisement forms do you think increase sales more efficiently for a smaller scale business owner?

Who Needs an iPad?

Apple has began to take orders for the much anticipated iPad. All pre-orders were offered free shipping although customers were not allowed to purchase more than two iPads, as Apple wants to be certain that when their new product hits the market there won't be a shortage. Many are debating whether or not the iPad will be as revolutionary as the iPod was to the MP3, now controlling 70% of all MP3 sales, or the iPhone which was the first of its class of "smart phones." Some project the iPad as simply an oversized iPod touch, lacking a phone feature the iPad wouldn't be so innovative after all. However, analyst Katy Huberty predicts that iPad sales will reach six million this year. Pesonally, I wouldn't have much use with this new gadget. I have an iPod touch, and would prefer to use a computer for the "innovative" activities the iPad constitutes, (Word Processing, Browsing the web, etc.). If the iPad contained a phone feature maybe it could be of more use, but even then who wants to use a phone thats 9.7 inches long, and weighs in at 1.5 lbs? There is one place I could see this device placed where it would florish- the family room. Replacing morning newspaper, one could read the news on their iPad touch, listen to their favorite music, or catch a podcast. It seems like with the iPad, everybody could find something they would enjoy to do. At the same time, many are comftorable with reading the physical newspaper, watching their T.V., or listening to their radio. These activites can all be accomplished on a single iPad, and this is why the device has potential to reach six million sales within its first year of release, and also revolutionize the tablet, laptop, and iPod.

Obama Brand: Women's Progression

On March 8th, President Obama alongside First Lady Michelle Obama, noted the progress women have made in the United States and also the obstacles they continue to face. Although the White house event was meant to mark the progression of women through the time at present, it also served as an unpleasant reminder to women of the struggles they continue to face in our society. By dedicating a day to tracking the progression of women, our nation is also marking the lack of progression of women. In other words, if they are progressing, what is their progression being compared to? The status of men, of course, which implies women in America are not regarded as fairly as men are. Obama admitted, "we must also face squarely the reality of the present -- a reality marked by unfairness, marked by hardship for too many women in America." President Obama shared various statistics that clearly displayed the inequalities between the sexes in America. Women earn only 77 percent of what men earn; one in four women becoming victims of domestic violence; women making up more than half of the U.S. population while occupying only 17 percent of the seats in Congress. The President's reality of the present diminished his attempt to mark the progression of women in our society, leaving Americans wondering if Obama's intentions were truthfully to note the obstacles that still stand in their way.

First Lady Michelle Obama, happily waves at her audience. President Obama, however, seems unconvinced. His thoughts on marking the progression of women consist of one overarching dilemna; there will are many obstacles women face.