Response to Jackie Cook's Post..

“ Do you think some advertisements are inappropriate or are they just adding humor to attract more consumers? Do you feel like you personally are affected by advertising?”
I think it is a little of both. I think some advertisements do add humor to the message. On the other hand some messages are a little on the racy-side. I thought it was interesting when Jackie stated that advertisements are starting to promote sex along with the product. A good example is a commercial for Cadillac cars. In the commercial the woman says, “When you turn your car on, does it return the favor?”; we all know where she’s going with that. Sex sells there is no doubt about that; it always has. Companies are starting to run these advertisements because they realize they can get people to watch them. How many guys turn off or change a commercial for Victoria Secret? Or even with an attractive woman advertising anything? And how many women change the channel when a ‘hot guy’ is on the screen? It’s just human nature and marketers realize if they can stop you from flipping the page or changing the channel then they are one step closer to getting you to purchase their product.

I don’t think all the commercials or advertisements are perfectly acceptable but I do understand where companies are coming from. I don’t think every advertisement affects me but I’m sure there are a few that might change my thought process. I think it also depends on what mood I am in when I see a commercial too. On a certain day I might be more apt to spend money if I see something I like compared to a different day. It’s crazy to deny that you’re not affected by commercials and advertisements.

Do you think commercials are starting to ‘cross the line’, or is this just the way it is? When was the last time you were affected by advertising?

Are Musicians Selling Out?

We had a discussion in class about whether or not musicians are selling out by using sponsorships and doing commercials. Professor Johnson used the example about the Black Eye Pea’s (see picture) incorporating BlackBerry Messenger, Pepsi, Verizon, and other companies into their concerts. Personally, I don’t consider it selling out. I don’t even think twice when I see logos, brand names, or certain products in videos. Everyone is in the business of making money and the artists are just like everyone else. Athletes have been doing it more years and no one considers them to be selling out. LeBron James, fresh out of high school, inked a $93 million contract with NIKE and he wasn’t considered a sellout. Athletes get paid and sponsored to play, why can’t artists get paid and sponsored to perform? We even see sponsorships at music award ceremonies. It seems like before every commercial we hear, “and this part of the AMA’s is brought to you by…”. I don’t see the issue with it. What’s the difference between an athlete wearing an Under Amour logo and a musician using the HP Touch Screen computer in a video? There are plenty of musicians in the industry that don’t take part in sponsorships and are “staying true” to themselves. I get that but let’s face it, we’re in a ‘get money or die trying’ era. In our generation we have been focused on money from the start. Money puts food on the table and it allows us to purchase things. Sponsorships are just part of the business. We see Budweiser logos at Fenway Park I don’t see why we can’t see Pepsi logos at venues all around the country.

I just don’t see an issue with it. I don’t consider the musicians to be selling out and to be honest I don’t think twice when I see the Sponsor’s logos in videos or at concerts. If they can make millions of dollars I think we should let them. We shouldn’t judge the people for being marketable. What do you think? Do you think it is considered selling out or is it really no big deal?