Media, Culture & Society

I was really intrigued by this article, because it is a rare occasion where the marketing director of a music group and the advertising director of an “indie rock genre” magazine underhandedly talk about payola.  Because the source is a little questionable, I would not consider this an article to be quoted in academic research, but it does provide an invaluable insight to how payola arrangements “go down.” Read the article at the following website:

http://idolator.com/tunes/magazines/littleknown-music-magazine-attempts-bigtime-adsales-scheme-229421.php

This article was really interesting to me and automatically caught my attention. Chevrolet and Hewlett- Packard launched new ads in this past super bowl. These ads are still being shownbut have been taken to the next level. For example, if you visit Chevy’s website ( www.chevy.com) you can upload you own picture on the website to see what you will look like in the newest Chevy car. This fun, interactive website not only advertises the product but it seems to be a wave of the future. “A key measuring stick right now in terms of advertising is user and consumer engagement,” says a project manager of the new Chevy ads. By allowing the customer t

This article touched on a lot of issues that were discussed in class on Tuesday regarding the commercialization of journalism.  The article states that, “Using VNRs is about saving money and feeding the beast.”  This is one point that McChesney addresses in his chapter on the ‘Commecializatin of Journalism.’  In efforts aimed at reducing costs and saving time, news stations will typically rely on VNRs.  The article also mentions the “uncritical eye” of the public and the tendency to accept the news as it is presented.  In other words, the use of VNRs can serve as a means of propaganda.  While news stations are supposed to have rules that prohibit the use of VNRs without proper disclosure, very few major broadcasters put these rules into effect.  In a study done by a watchdog group known as the Center for Media and Democracy, it was found that 77 news stations used some, if not all, of the footage provided to them in a video news release form.  In each case, the news station failed to include a disclosure stating that the information being aired was, in fact, a video news release.  Some stations even went as far as to feature a ‘fake reporter’ to read the script as it appeared in the release.  The FCC is looking to “enforce our rules more vigorously” regarding TV new station’s use of VNRs.  There is some concern among media outlets, however, that increased involvement on the part of the FCC will result in “dictating content.”  The overall tone of the article is one that stresses the need for station’s to be straight forward with their audience in asserting that the information being aired is not the result of professional journalism.

Click on the link to view the full article.

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB114591217366434458-e7v3MOPfZ3SvlTL80M28KySEzos_20070425.html?mod=blogs

We’ve spoken at some length about the ‘depoliticization’ of American society. In addition, we’ve noted how young people don’t attend to news very much or have taken to getting their news from ‘alternative’ sources, like The Onion and The Daily Show.

An essay appearing in The Nation suggests that young people are underrepresented in mainstream media. Moreover, the voices and opinions of youth on important social topics is virtually absent from the mainstream media discourse.

If Coca-Cola follows through on their word, this could be a positive step in putting a halt to the rising problem of child obesity.  However, it is questionable as to whether or not the company is honestly willing to risk losing a significant amount of their profits.  To see the story, click here.

The Radio and Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) has created a series of public service announcements to promote “Sunshine Week” — a celebration of Freedom of Information, especially public access to government information. You might find these PSAs useful as you begin planning your class projects.

If you don’t know about RTNDA, you should, especially if you are interested in a career in TV, Radio news. The website has lots of information on the association, job services, resources of journalists, academic research and workshops.

View the site and check out the PSAs here.

This site provides background information on Network Neutrality. It gives info on who wants to get rid of it and who supports it, and what is happening in Congress dealing with this issue. Go to http://www.savetheinternet.com/=faq to view the site.

This article is from Newsweek (so I can’t give you a link) February 26, 2007 on page 16. Wal-Mart just the first legal movie downloading site. You can buy movies for something around $14 and download them to your computer. The author said there were a lot of technological difficulties when he tried it and you can’t view the movie anywhere other than where you downloaded it to. Despite the websites problems Hollywood proved to be rather happy. The six major studios (and don’t worry the website offers movies from all of them) which Hollywood is representing here has wanted to create something like this for years now to open new opportunities for sales. However, they were hesitant and avoided the idea because they didn’t want to “upset” Wal-Mart, considering Wal-Mart sells 40% of all DVD’s, it’s Hollywoods biggest revenue source. America is too lazy to drive the two miles to the closest blockbuster but don’t worry Wal-Mart is taking over (the world).

This page discusses the technacalities and development of lower power FM. It also includes policy and procedures low power stations must follow and includes recent headlines on the topic. Click to see the site.

Miller Brewing Company, based in Milwaukee, is trying to come up with new techniques to promote their beer. After their idea of “Man Law” commercials did not gain as much success as hoped, Miller is scrapping the idea and thinking of new ways to promote their Lite brand as well as others. See article here.