Hello...I Suck

Hello my faithful readers...or something like that.

Ok, just as an FYI, I haven't given up on the blog perse, just put it on temporary hiatus. For any of you that have gone to grad school as well as spend a semester trying to get Ph.D. applications out, you will hopefully understand my inability to update this regularly.

Thanks for being patient and I suggest checking back in a few months.

Don Waddell, hero of the NHL

As yet another NHL season commences with nearly every team having a good chance of making a deep run into the playoffs, there remains the bottom dwellers of the NHL, the Atlanta Thrashers. Yet, despite their woes, I have to give a hand to Thrashers GM Don Waddell, as he continues to be the NHL's savior. Now while such a statement may at first seem obsurd, let's look at all the way Waddell's leadership has benefitted this great league.

1) Any team with a third jersey. It is because of Waddell that no NHL team will ever have to say "we have the worst jersey" with the release of this eyesore. Now most teams create third jerseys with hopes of generating sales and buzz around the team, yet Waddell thought differently. By going with something so hideous, he is basically asking fans to go out and buy other team's cooler jerseys, aiding sales all across the board. So thank you Don!

2) Alexei Zhitnik. Alexei benefitted from Waddell trading prowess by allowing this washed up player to last a few more years in the NHL. Zhitnik was slowly on his way out of the Flyers organization and possibly the NHL a few years back, but Waddell proved that the skills you show in 1995 may still be there in 2007, thus he gave him a chance. While Zhitnik may have been happy with the move, teammates were disparaged by the fact that they had to continually spoon feed Zhitnik his mashed peas while they heard stories about hockey back in the 1920s.

3) Braydon Coburn. This highly talented defenseman, and number 8 pick overall in 2003, was sitting in the Thrashers farm system collecting dust when Waddell informed him that he was being traded to the Flyer for Alexei Zhitnik. Feeling that Coburn was not good enough for the "stout" Atlanta D, Waddell felt this was a great trade that would pay off in the end. Two years later, Coburn is anchoring the Philly D while Zhitnik is playing in Russia.

4) Dion Phaneuf. Now you may be asking how Phaneuf could have benefitted from Waddell. While this may not be a highly known fact, Waddell single-handedly saved Phaneuf career when he passed over him in the 2003 draft to pick Coburn. By letting this defensive juggernaut fall through his fingers, Waddell essentially told the NHL that the Thrasher will not have winner on their team.

5) Dany Heatley. In what can be described as the only smart move in his GM career, Waddell adhered to Dany Heatley requests for a trade following the death of his teammate Dan Sneider. While fans chastized him for the trade, Waddell helped a yong man reshape his life and find success and happiness through the sport he loves. Of course, receiving Hossa as part of the trade worked out as well.

So in actually, we find that Don Waddell makes a smart move in 1 out of every 5 occurrances. At this rate then, we should be sure to find the Thrashers as a true Stanley Cup Contender by 2100.

So thank you Don Waddell. Whenever we start to feel like we are slipping in our jobs and may be fired, all we have to do is look to you and realize that if you can keep your job through years of screwing up, then so can we.

The new Oasis album...part 2

Man it is nice to have connections...or at least know where to go to get music before it is released. I am currently in possession of the new Oasis album, Dig Out Your Soul, and I have to tell you that it is amazing. The last effort by these guys, Don't Believe the Truth, seemed too much like The Beatles White Album and not something an Oasis album. And while critics relished in that fact, I found it unoriginal and lacking the depth of prior Oasis albums. That said, Dig Out Your Soul seems to return to the pure Oasis sound but also reflects their maturity. This isn't the cocaine-induced albums of the mid 90s, but it seems to show a more mature collaboration by the Gallagher brothers (if that is even possible). Regardless, I'm not sent by Oasis to promote this album among my 4 or 5 readers, but just to let you all know that this is something you should really consider. It is well worth the money and I can almost promise you that you won't be disappointed.

Google Android

So the iPhone finally has a viable challenger. Google is working with T-Mobile to develop Android, an open software system that appears to do all that the iPhone can do and more. While I am still learning about this software (namely due to the fact that I may be catering a paper towards it this semester) one item of interest that I want to discuss is the partnership that Android has recently established with Visa. Adage address this in an article posted today. It appears that this Visa/Android partnership may finally show the potential of mobile marketing by allowing Android users to not only sign up to receive deals specifically catered to them, but also allow them to use their phone as an actual credit card. 

Addressing the first facet of this technology, mobile marketing, this partnership may actually allow the implementation of mobile marketing efforts into the US marketplace. Currently, consumers are skeptical of mobile ads as they are perceived as highly intrusive and overbearing. By allowing consumers to sign up for ad updates as well as search the Visa/Android service for specials in their area (the article mentions searching for a local BK and finding out that you receive a 30% discount for being an Android user) mobile marketing is shifting to a pull marketing effort, which theorists have identified as the future of this process for years. 

Secondly, the use of a mobile as a credit card motions into the realization that the mobile may one day emerge as the all-encompassing technological tool. What currently reigns as one credit card partnership may possibly incorporate more cards as well as even serve as your ID or even your passport. While such technologies are still years from being fully implemented and will need to address security issues, it presents an interesting view of our potential future. 

As I mentioned at the start, I still need to do a lot more research on this topic, but it is something I suggest looking into, especially if you are one of those tech buffs who find this stuff fascinating, much like myself.

Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Well excited and enthused blog readers, I am back with another post. And this time, it is for a show that has really touched home with me lately: Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Now this show has been on for 3 years and I've never watched it until yesterday...needless to say, I am hooked. There is something about this show that is just so unique and pure within the Philadelphia environment. Maybe it is the way they interact with each other or the fact that it is filmed in Philadelphia and therefore uses true extras. I really don't know. But if you want to give this show a shot, check it out on Hulu.com. This is a streaming site that uploads TV shows and movies with limited commercial interruption. Because the show is TV-MA, you will have to register, but they won't spam you at all. If you are looking for some good episodes to get you hooked, I would suggest "Dennis Looks Like a Registered Sex Offender" or "Frank Sets Sweet Dee on Fire". After these, you too will have drank the kool-aid.

The new iPod

Wow...my 3rd post in 4 days. This has to be some type of record here...

Anyway, a lot of you know that I am a huge Mac fan. There is just something about that company that you have to love. For, I love how simplicity meets innovation. Today Apple introduced the new iPod. If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to shoot over to apple.com to check it out. 

This thing looks amazing. Sure it looks like other iPods, but the features they include show just how much Apple cares about the customer. You can now shuffle your songs by shaking the iPod. Not a bad little feature if you are trying to set the mood and MegaDeath is not what gets you girlfriend or boyfriend going. 

By far the best feature of the new iPod though has to be its ability to make playlists for you. This thing will keep track of what you are listening to and will compile playlists of artists and songs from your iPod that it feels goes together. Not bad if you want a work out mix but don't know what to include.

Granted, PC is finally realizing that simplicity is king, but if you ask me they are too late. Here's to Apple/Mac fans everywhere. You know who you are, and you know how much you love these products.

Noel Gallagher gets busted up...

...and it wasn't even from Liam this time. 

So you all know that I am a pretty big Oasis fan. Funny enough I was hanging with an undergraduate who is a friend of mine yesterday and when asked who my top bands were, I answered "Oasis and Better Than Ezra." Needless to say, her bewildered look baffled me for a short instance until I remembered that she was born in 1988 and therefore doesn't have such a vivid memory of 1994, when both of these band were in their prime. Regardless, I return to the point of this entry.

Below is a video that has been all over the internet. Oasis was playing a show in Toronto last night when a crazy fan ran on stage and blindsided Noel. The fan then turned to Liam but was tackled by security before he could get to him. Of course, it looked like Liam was about to bust this kid up, a move that would have clearly been his first justified (and possibly first sober) fight of his entire life. Sure this entry has no real moral fiber, but whatever, it is at least fun to watch.

PS, Noel went to the hospital to get an X-ray for fractured ribs after this show. 

Georgia...Number 2?

At the request of Allen, I'm writing this time about the travesty that hit UGA football this week. Despite beating Southern, UGA fell in the rankings from 1 to 2. Sure this isn't a big drop but it still should be addressed. Now I didn't find this out until today as I was in Canada fishing the entire week and had nightmares that Southern actually beat UGA, which would have been bad. But still, to fall like that is a slight insult. 

But...and this is the part that Allen will hate, I think it is for the best. 

It is clear that Richt was not overly comfortable with being the number 1 team at the start of the season. Everyone was focusing on talking about how this was an overrated ranking for this team and how they are going to completely crumble. While such talk can help motivate a team, I think all of the media attention was something new for Richt and he would rather place it on someone else and just work behind the scenes, much like last season. So long as UGA keeps winning, the rankings will speak for themselves in the end. But for now, let's just look at this as a motivational tool.

Plus, and Kirk made a good point of this, who cares who is number 1 in September. You need to check back in November and December. That is when it will really matter.

Of course, it should also be stated that most of the rankers bend over backwards for Southern Cal, but that has been known for years.

PS, more info on the fishing in Canada when I get the pics together.

UPDATE: This just in, Knowshon Moreno is one of the most amazing running backs I have ever seen. If you need to know why, check out the pic above. He leaped 4 feet into the air in mid stride to jump over a linebacker. When was the last time you saw someone do that? Here is the video in case you want to see the whole play develop.

Hello...again

So for my one reader, Margrét, I apologize for the delay. What can I say, August is a busy month, especially with school starting back up and summer classes coming to a close.

That said, I have nothing that is intellectually stimulating for this blog, but instead want to make sure that you (my lovely readers) are aware of some of the big things happening this fall.

First of all, UGA Football is coming back. They are ranked #1 in the preseason and have a good shot at playing for the title this year. If you want to see some magic, go to youtube and look up Knowshon Moreno. You will get a glimpse at a special running back.

Secondly, Oasis (yes that band that put out Wonderwall about 12 years ago) is releasing their 7th album in early October. I've had a chance to hear some of it and it sounds like it is going to rock. The first two hits from the album are already on youtube and can be found here: The Shock of Lightning and Falling Down.

So that is all I have for now. I know this is not the most exciting post, but I will promise better items in the near future. All I ask is that you be patient with me. This is a semester of conferences, grants, thesis construction, classes, and my freelance work. But as interesting items arise, I'll be sure to write about them.

Advertising as Advertising

For today's post I decided to discuss an advertising topic that has come to my attention as I continue to work on my grant. To put this topic in the most simplistic terms, it appears that consumers practice subconscious ad avoidance techniques everyday of their lives. Much like an annoying friend or that pesky ex-girlfriend consumers find ways to avoid interacting with advertisements. It appears that this changes with non-traditional advertisements due to the preconceived concepts of advertisements. Specifically, the argument has been proposed that the disruptive functions of advertisements are what ultimately make people want to avoid them. Thus the reason we quickly flip through magazines or change channels during commercials. Yet non-traditional changes all of this by placing advertisements within a non-disruptive framework of our daily lives so that we interact with them without even knowing. Take product placements for example. You can watch an entire episode of your favorite sitcom and being exposed to advertisements without even knowing it as they play a role in what you are watching. Do you think that everything in Seinfeld's kitchen is just there for the hell of it? Think again? 

So keep this idea in mind. While you may have unfavorable opinions towards advertising, you may be more accepting of it than you may generally know. It is only when advertising disrupts our daily functions that we come to find it annoying. But when seamlessly integrated, we all may find that this necessary marketing function plays a greater role in our lives than we would like to admit.

Mobile Advertising

For my latest entry, I decided to pull from a project I have been working on in my Cultural Studies class. This is an excerpt from a working paper that is set to examine perceptions of mobile advertising among American youth markets. I seem to be growing an affinity for non-traditional advertising media and mobiles are an outlet that really have received little attention in the U.S. The passage below reviews some of the cultural influences of mobile phones. And let's all be honest here...something you read will characterize you in some shape or fashion.

Describing the mobile phone as a social network takes a twofold approach.  The first, and most obvious approach is that mobile phones provide individuals with a constant connection to the outside world (de Souza e Silva, 2006; Green, 2002).  Because a mobile phone can easily fit into a purse or pocket, it is intrinsically understood that the possibility to call, text, or even email someone is within grasp.  Likewise, the possibility also exists that one can receive a call, text or email at any moment, essentially making every mobile phone carrier constantly “on call” (Green, 2002).  The second, and perhaps not so obvious, approach is that the mobile phone has become a cultural status symbol through both the style purchased and functions utilized (Grant & O’Donohoe, 2007; Kjeldgaard & Askegaard, 2006; Muk, 2007; Rolfe & Gilbert, 2006).  Whether business professionals or teenage kids, the type and functionality of the mobile phone appears to be reaching similar status to that of clothing and cars, ultimately serving as a visual cue of one’s cultural and technological prowess.  This is most notable due to the fact that people create and maintain close relationships with their mobile phone, as the way it is used and the selected style embody the owner and no one else (Vatanparast & Asil, 2007).  This helps to explain why mobile phones are rarely shared, as the personalizing nature of this tool transforms the mobile phone into a private accessory.

Understanding the cultural and status implications of the mobile phone can be best examined by reviewing how the youth market utilized this device in formulating their perceptions of acceptance and community.  Grant and O’Donohoe (2007) provide a fairly in-depth examination of the cultural impact of mobile technology among youth markets by identifying the five factors which influence mobile phone use by these audiences: convenient entertainment, social stimulation, experiential learning, escapism, and purchase information and advice.  Ultimately, Grant and O’Donohoe (2007) concluded that mobile audiences depend on these devices for social interaction and cultural acceptance.  One means of generating this acceptance is an individual’s technological aptitude.  Rolfe and Gilber (2006) discovered that ones technical knowledge was a strong indicator of their cultural standing among youth audiences.  In greater detail, those expressing little knowledge of communication technology were most likely of a lower class as opposed to the technologically adept individual, who class standing was found to be much higher.  This finding stemmed from the sentiments of technology expressed by both the individuals and their parents, who would often share similar attitudes.

In addition to representing ones technological prowess and possible cultural standing, mobile phones have also been used as a tool to promote ones popularity or group status.  Grant and O’Donohoe (2007) discuss this concept by alluding to the jubilation expressed by participants when receiving a call or text message.  According to their study, such an occurrence is highly influential within groups of friends as one’s involvement or social status within their group can be influenced by the number of calls and/or texts they receive.  These findings suggest that by virtue of having an audience hear a ring tone, which is an attention grabber within a public space, one’s status is raised among youth cultures. 

Also extending from this concept is that of the “mobile flasher” (Thorngren et al., 2004).  Though by no means an official term or title, the mobile flasher is described as the person who interacts with their mobile device in a public space as if they were in a private space.  This includes talking at a very high level, pacing around a room, and other occurrences that attempt to draw audience attention to the individual’s mobile conversation. According to Thorngren et al. (2004), these actions serve to augment an individual’s personal sense of popularity and/or importance by information the general public that they are engaged in a mobile activity.  While mobile flashers can exist in virtually any public space, within the youth consumer market the flasher may most likely operate in a realm occupied by fellow peers or acquaintances, such as a campus, bus stop, or even a cafeteria.

Citations for the included works are found below. Please let me know your thoughts on this topic.

de Souza e Silva, A. (2006). Interfaces of hybrid spaces. In A. Kavoori & N. Arceneaux (Ed.),The cell phone reader: Essays in social transformation (pp. 19-43). New York: Peter Lang.

Grant, I. & O’Donohoe, S. (2007). Why young consumers are not open to mobile marketing communication. International Journal of Advertising, 26(2), 223-246.

Green, N. (2002). On the move: Technology, mobility, and the mediation of social time and space. The Information Society, 18, 281-292.

Kjeldgaard, D. & Askegaard, S. (2006). The glocalization of youth culture: The global youth segment as structures of common difference. Journal of Consumer Research, 33, 231-247.

Muk, A. (2007). Cultural influences on adoption of SMS advertising: A study of American and Taiwanese consumers. Journal of Targeting, Measurement and Analysis for Marketing,16(1), 39-47.

Rolfe, J. & Gilbert, M. (2006). Youth, new media, technology and communication. Young Consumers, 2, 15-21.

Thorngren, B., Andersson, P., Bohlin, E., & Boman, M. (2004). Seamless mobility: More than it seems. Info, 6(3), 169-171.

Vatanparast, R. & Asil, M. (2007). Factors affecting the use of mobile advertising. International Journal of Mobile Marketing, 2(2), 21-34.

Quick Update

So I don't have any insightful updates for this week, namely due to the fact that summer school is quickly coming to a close and I have two projects due in the next 8 days.

That said, I do have some good news I would like to share. As a result of my graphic work with the Kenneth Burke Conference, I have been hired as a freelancer for the Eastern Communication Association where I will be creating all of their promotional materials as well as the conference program for the centennial conference, to be held in Philadelphia in April 2009. 

This is a great honor for me and something I am really looking forward to. 

So until I have something meaningful to talk about, I hope this tidbit will hold you readers (if there are any...) over.

UPDATE: So I am essentially done with my summer school work and will hopefully be posting something new tomorrow. So for those few remaining readers...be patient.

The Role of Media

As I was sitting in my Cultural Studies class last week, my professor said something that really stuck with me. In the midst of a discussion regarding societal identity, we turned to the topic of mass media, which is generally the recipient of negative press as far cultural studies goes. Yet, in a truthful voice, he looked at the class and said 

"the media cannot be powerful and influential as well as reflect societal norms"

I guess this statement struck home within my mind due to all of the negative perceptions that surround my field of interest: advertising. It is constantly criticized for creating false wants and needs, forcing people to feel bad about themselves, and even promoting unhealthy or jaded values, yet through all of this, I ask you to imagine a world where advertising and mass media reflected societal norms. On top of not knowing what would constitute a societal norm (as it would be different to each individual person), there would be no possible way to embody or package such an idea into advertising or mass media. Perhaps we should look back to the Brady's for media that reflects societal norms, yet I'm sure you'd be hard pressed to find any family life that was quite like that. 

I'll admit, advertising and mass media do create various desires and problems among people, yet it is this influence that continues to positively redefine and influence the society we live in. Take mouthwash for example. If it were for media capitalists searching through a dental dictionary to find some sort of disease to fight with a new product, we could all be suffering from halitosis. Granted, halitosis was not a commonly known word at the time, but creating awareness for such a disease generated a new dental product line as well as resulted in better smelling breath worldwide. I'd count that as a win-win.

I guess the point of this post is to look at mass media and advertising through a positive lens. I know many of us would wish for it to display societal norms, especially in terms of body image, but it is up to each individual person to take the media for what it is, a powerfully influential force in our lives. Yes, I know it creates unwanted desires and causes distress in our lives, but it is up to each and everyone of us to decide how much this will influence our lives. What you see in media and advertising is not a forced sale against your will, it is a suggested way to improve your life.

Regardless of your opinion on this, we should realize that media is never going to go anywhere and thus, it is best to accept it for what it is. Of course, for all you naysayers out there, I have one question for you: look at where you are as you read this...what is around you...what you are wearing...do you look at each of these items as purchases as a results of mass media and advertising? Or do you feel that each has a proper role that has in some way made life easier or more enjoyable than if you didn't have them. 

On that note, I close with one word: iPod...

My request for help

So I hope to have more of an actual post perhaps sometime tomorrow, but in the meantime I was hoping that any readers may be able to help me with my current predicament. As some of you may know, I received a research grant about a month ago to work on a study that will review perceptions of trust on traditional and non-traditional advertising among Baby Boomers, Generation X'ers, and Generation Y'ers. Before I can really get this study going, I need to pretest to make sure that the non-traditional media that I select have some sort of correlation to the fictitious products I am creating. 

That said, I am asking readers to reply with their suggestings regarding where they would associate a non-traditional advertisement placement for a MP3 player as well as a Diet Pill. 

For those of you that do not know what non-traditional placements are, they are ads placed in locations other than Television, Radio, Newspapers, Magazines, and Billboards. 

To give you my initial suggestions, I was thinking of graffiti (in the guise of sidewalk chalk) for a MP3 player and a cardboard coffee cup holder for a diet pill (since both coffee and diet pills help "regulate" you...). 

But let me know your thoughts. These will help me create a list to use on my pre-testing group.

Proud to be an American

As July 4th rolls around, let us not forget the various instances that have made our country great. Am I referring to the Declaration of Independence, our freedoms and liberties, or our annexation of political persecution? Of course not. I am speaking of none other than the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Before the fireworks start flying and the booze starts flowing, take a few minutes (or 12) to watch grown men and women gorge themselves in unidentifiable meat sitting in a processed flour bun.  In case you need a refresher about what happened last year...

Fortunately, these contestants usually stop eating about 2 days in advance so they are ready to go when the contest rolls around. That means that when you are enjoying your lunch tomorrow, Joey Chestnut and Kobayashi will both be eagerly awaiting their one day/year to shine.

Transcendence By Perspective

This title is the theme of a conference that I will be working at this weekend, The 7th Triennial Conference of the Kenneth Burke Society, hosted by the fine folks at Villanova. While I am in no way a Burkean scholar (in fact, I rarely understand anything he has written), I find this theme rather applicable to our daily lives. 

Quoting Burke's Attitudes Towards History (which I am pulling from our conference program), "We mean by 'transcendence' the adoption of another point of view from which they cease to be opposites" (p. 336). Keeping this in mind, it appears that the transcendental is not some sort of evangelical awakening as identified in medieval thought, but really an understanding of our current world. 

Transcendence by perspective is being able to view the world outside of your own mental, racial, ethnic and physical state. This means welcoming other people and their ideologies as well as avoiding what I feel is one of the world's greatest pitfalls: stereotyping. 

So I guess if I have a closing call to action for this, it is to try and see the world from someone else's eyes. For it is only when you change your perspective that one can really achieve societal transcendence.

Personally, I'm going to achieve this by hitting up the Philly Italian Market today. For all of you that have ever been there, you understand exactly how transcendence by perspective fits into this. And if you haven't, check it out online: www.phillyitalianmarket.com. I'll try to post some photos later as I am going there to compose a photo essay for my media production class.

UPDATE: I wanted to include the above picture for your viewing pleasure. Part of my work with this conference has been handling all of the design materials for it. This included the conference program (whose cover is seen above) as well as conference badges, promotional posters, memorial displays, etc. This is a rare time that I am proud of my work so I figured I'd include it here.

Welcome

So this is my blog. It is actually a year in the making (not on this site, which takes about 10 minutes to set up) but I finally got around to pulling it together. What I hope to accomplish with this site is merely some sort of insight into what goes on in my mind. At times, it may be highly myopic, at others, very fragmented and completely insane, but I'm hoping to at least create some logical thought and discussion. All are free to post their responses and I encourage you to do so. Also, feel free to post here as well.

I don't exactly have a main thought for today, but check back soon and things should be updated.

Also, feel free to say 'hey.' I know I'm not on Facebook or MySpace, so this is your chance to catch me online.