Prompt 4: "Why Good Advertising Works (Even When You Think It Doesn't)"

Central Argument: Good advertising does influence people by sneakily planting memorable and engaging ads into peoples’ heads that later help influence their decisions.

            This piece of work is entitled Why Good Advertising Works (Even When You Think It Doesn’t) by Nigel Hollis. He argues that even though an advertisement doesn’t necessarily cause you to immediately jump off your keister and head to the nearest shopping center, they do still work. By sneaking into your brain and memory, the advertisements plants a seed in your head that later helps to influence your choice in products, brands, and so on. I agree with this statement 100%. Even though people say, “Oh, I’m never taken captive by those evil television commercials just trying to sell me crap!” the truth is, they actually work. Through memory, reason, and personal evidence of its success, I’ll prove to you that a good advertisement does indeed work.

            Your mind is the main goal of advertisers out. The most important feature about an ad has to be its memorability and its ability to leave a lasting impression. Making you remember and recall the ad later when you’re hungry, or need shampoo, or whatever is the main goal. Once in a blue moon will there be an ad so good it makes you jump off your chair and race for the malls. I mean, what’s good enough to make you miss the ending of The Notebook? So that’s why ads need to be sneaky and play catchy jingles that get stuck in your head. You didn’t really think they had that music there for fun did you?  Good advertisement all use little techniques of jingles and memorable stuff as it makes the commercial leave a lasting impression on you which you will subconsciously recall when you need something.

Also, there is the question Hollis brings up which is, why would the government invest $70 billion in something they didn’t believe worked? The government is made up of some pretty bright people. They wouldn’t just casually throw $70 billion around. We, the people, elect government members into office. Obviously we pick smart candidates that wouldn’t do something stupid with our tax dollars by spending tons of money on crap. And there are many levels to the government and motions need to go through a lot of steps in order for the government to decide to do something. So if deciding something as big as spending $70 billion dollars on something gets passed and permitted, it has to be for something that works.

Finally, I know from personal experience that advertising works. When I go shopping or want something I always remember the ads I’ve seen or heard, and the jingles. Like when I’m walking down the makeup aisle I recall seeing this product in an ad and am like, “Oh, I should try that.” There’s actually this one ad in particular for Pizza Pizza that I always remember because of its jingle. So whenever my family decides to order pizza, I always say their number straight off the top of my head. I mean, I don’t want to flip through some phone book or boot up the computer just to find another number when I already know the one for Pizza Pizza. “Five, six, seven … eleven … eleven… Call Pizza Pizza, hey hey hey!” Plus, it doesn’t hurt that they make a mean pizza.

In conclusion, it’s not the so much the ad that matters. It’s the memorability, impressions and positive feelings about the brand or particular item that matter. Any memory the advertisement gives you that will cause you to view the brand or item in a more positive light than its alternatives is a plus.

Article: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/08/why-good-advertising-works-even-when-you-think-it-doesnt/244252/ 

Bonus Post:

I usually like older songs but this song is so good i like legit cried the first time i watched this.

Week Nine Article

http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/1123407--drought-continues-for-canada-against-top-ranked-american-powerhouse

Posted: January 29^th, 2012                                                    Viewed: January 30^th, 2012

Article Summary:
This article is about Sunday’s soccer game between the United States of America and Canada. This match was the final game of the CONCACAF women’s Olympic qualifying tournament. It was Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan who scored two goals apiece that lead the United States to a 4 - 0 victory. With those two goals, Wambach moved up to 131 goals in her international career, making her sole possessor of second place in all-time scoring. Another key player was the U.S. goal keeper, Hope Solo, who was on fire, stopping Christina Julien on a promising breakaway in the first half and then again in the second half. The United States is now ranked number one in the world and claimed the CONCACAF championship. Despite the crushing defeat Canada faced, both teams will be headed to this year’s summer Olympics in hopes of bringing home that gold.  

Word 1: eluded
a) Morgan took a long pass from Lauren Cheney and eluded McLeod and Canadian defenders before putting in a turnaround shot.
b) Eluded: To evade or escape from, as by daring, cleverness, or skill (www.thefreedictionary.com)
c) The students eluded the monkeys by not making eye contact and throwing rocks.

Word 2: point-blank
a) In the 44th minute, U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo stopped Christina Julien on a breakaway from point-blank range.
b) Point-blank: Close enough so that missing the target is unlikely or impossible (www.thefreedictionary.com)
c) Mr. Miller tossed his empty bottle to the bin at point-blank range and still missed!

Word 3: outright
a) Four minutes later, Wambach gained outright possession of second in all-time scoring as she put in Morgan’s short pass following a rebound off the post.
b) Outright: Completely and entirely; wholly (www.thefreedictionary.com)
c) The whole school was outright supportive of David and Ryley and their half marathon mishap by resending Mr. Jay’s email.     

Response:
This article directly relates to one of my favourite hobbies, soccer. I’ve been playing the sport since I was four years old and have been in rep since I was nine. So soccer has been a huge part of my life for basically my entire existence. It is a lot of fun, a good workout and you meet great people. Like the Canadian defender Candace Chapman, I’m a defender. I can totally relate to the point in the game when Chapman was knocked to the turf and then scored on. Being the last man back, there is a lot of pressure and guilt when a goal is scored on you, so I totally know how Chapman felt at that point in the game. Like last summer it was just me and another girl racing down the field after a ball when I tripped and fell letting her get and easy goal. It was terrible so, like every time I make a mistake, I bent down and `tied my shoes.’

The Dream Summer

Q#174: If money and family obligations left you entirely free, how and where would you spend the summer before college?

The summer before college is the last time to see your friends before you head your separate ways, on your own paths. Who knows when or if you will see them again, or remain best friends forever like you promised each other you would as little kids? You meet new people and grow and you never know what can happen. If money and family obligations left me entirely free, I would make the most of my last summer with my best friends. For all I know, it could be my last one to just be carefree kid with them. I would make it a summer that I would remember forever and fantasize about during those long, cold Canadian winters.  I would spend the first part of my last summer before college road tripping across the United States with my best friends. We have always talked about how awesome it would be to rent an RV and just go. It doesn’t really matter where to, as long as we’re all together enjoying ourselves and just loving life. We would have to get back to Canada though by the last week of July to keep the tradition of going to Bronny’s cottage every summer alive! I mean tubing, race car driving, bumper carts, endless days on the beach, working at the soup kitchen, etc. We would never miss that for the world! And Bronwen, Krysta and I would finally go on the ride at Canada’s Wonderland that you have to sign a death waiver before going! Every time we go to Wonderland we always say we’ll do it, wait in line and then chicken out. But in my dream summer we would finally go for it. So, basically, my dream summer is spending every free second I’ve got with my best friends, squeezing as much adventure and fun as possible into every second of it.  

Week Eight Article

http://basementrug.com/5949

Posted:  October 11^th, 2011                                                 Viewed: January 23^rd, 2012

Article Summary:
This article is in memory of George “Mojo” Buford, a modern blues harmonica player, who died of a heart failure at 81 on Tuesday July 4^th, 2011. The article recounts his life and how he made a profession out of his lifelong hobby. “He was doing what he loved to do right up until the end,” his son Abe said proudly. Buford moved to Chicago around 1953 where he ended up joining Muddy Waters’ band. He was out in the street drinking wine with his band when his pianist said, “Come on, Muddy Waters is just a man like you and me.” So he brought Buford in and told Waters that Buford was a harmonica player. Muddy Waters said, “You don’t say,” and Buford played with Waters off and on until his death in 1983. In 1963 Buford tried his hand at a solo career and issued several records of his own. “He’s the real deal. He is one of the last guys carrying this music on,” said the Fabulous Thunderbirds leader Kim Wilson.

Word 1: reputable
a) One of the most reputable harp blowers in modern blues, Fabulous Thunderbirds leader Kim Wilson, remembered the thrill of standing in Buford’s shoes when the T-Birds backed Waters at several mid-’70s gigs at Antone’s in Austin, Texas.
b) Reputable: having a good reputation; honoured, trustworthy, or respectable (www.thefreedictionary.com) c) Mr. Plonka is one of the most reputable English teachers around.

Word 2: recruitment
a) Buford spent the past decade living at a senior care center in north Minneapolis, where he gave this account in 2002 of his recruitment into Waters’ band, whom he always referred to as “Muddy Waters.”
b) Recruitment: the act of getting recruits; enlisting people for the army or for a job or a cause etc. (www.thefreedictionary.com)
c) Recruitment goes on at Woodstock School for the C.A.R.E. projects.

Word 3: issuing
a) After a Waters gig in 1963 at the Loon nightclub in south Minneapolis, the harp blower decided to make the Twin Cities his home and tried his hand at a solo career from here, issuing several of his own records.
b) Issue: To be circulated or published (www.thefreedictionary.com)
c) Woodstock issued videos of their school play, Brigadoon.

Response:
This article I found relates to one of my newest hobby and/or interest, playing the harmonica. A week or so ago I finally started to learn the harmonica, something I have always wanted to do since grade 8 when we were forced to watch this movie called ‘Perfect Harmony’ in music class. In the movie there is this southerner that plays the harmonica and I fell in love with the harmonica’s sound and, right then and there, I decided that someday I would learn how to play the harmonica. I probably won’t go on to make a career out of it like George “Mojo” Buford, but am enjoying it. So far I’ve learned how to play Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’ and ‘When the Saints go Marching In.’ Anyways, I can totally relate to Buford’s love of playing the harmonica.

I HATE CATS !

Q#250: If animals could talk, what would your pet say about you?

It honestly depends on which pet of mine you're asking. You see, if you were to ask my dog, she would automatically be like, "Megan is number one, the tops, love her! always walking me, feeding me, letting me on the couch even though I’m not allowed, giving me pieces of kolbassa or whatever she's eating, plays race to snow mountain with me, she’s got my back in hating on the cats ...." and so on. On the other hand, the cats would have a totally different answer. I’m a dog person; I hate everything there is about cats. They are always in the way causing me to trip/ fall/ destroy something. Like this past Christmas I’m casually walking to dining room with the turkey when out of nowhere bolts the little troublemakers causing me to trip up and smash “the fine china!!" screams my mom. And every night the two cats race around the house chasing one another causing so much raucous it’s ridiculous. So naturally, I hate them and they I hate me. I rarely pet the little buggers and certainly did not feel bad when I kicked one of them across the room, by accident of course. My friend texted me and my phone was touching my foot, I’m extremely ticklish on my feet by the way, and I kicked my foot sending the cat far, far away. Don't worry, cats always land on their feet. Also, since I use spray bottles to keep them away from me and used to dress them up, they have had it in for me since day one. So if you were to ask my pet cats about me, you would probably hear so much swearing you would wash your own mouth out with soap!

Mobstacle Course

 

Q#231: Invent a game and explain the rules.

The name of the game is Mobsticle Course. This is a game I invented when I was about ten and my family and friends love it. First of all, everyone participating must have on a really baggy shirt. Note that it must be baggy enough to can fit a blown up exercise ball into it. There is no limit on the number of people that can play, as long as the lines are equal. The people must split up so there is two groups of four or three groups of one or whatever is best for the amount of people you have. Then, in your own groups, decide who will go first, second, and so on. In short, this game is like an epic, contact obstacle course.  When you hear “GO!” you put the exercise ball in the baggy shirt you already have on. Then you head out to the obstacle course while purposely body slamming opponents with your enormous belly.  There is no specific way to set up your obstacle course, just be as creative as possible. A suggestion is to involve a section where you carry an egg on the spoon because it’s a lot of fun trying to keep it balanced as you all bump into each other. Another suggestion is to make a point in the obstacle course where there is only one path for all the people. This causes tons of pushing and bumping which is a lot of fun. One of the rules is that you don’t have to be on the same section of the obstacle course to tackle them. Like if someone is ahead you can run to where they are at and keep pushing them back to where you are. There no other rules except have fun and be safe!