Consumption and Mass Media Paper

Consumption and Mass Media
What is conspicuous consumption? How does conspicuous consumption influence purchasing decisions? Think about a high-priced item that you have bought or would like to buy. To what extent does conspicuous consumption affect your decision?
Conspicuous consumption is the act of acquiring lavish goods or services that a person does not have to obtain. It is merely a desire with the idea of display and boast ones riches and keep up to one’s social status. American popular culture which is the modern way of living tempts us to be gluttonous and conspicuous consumption is everywhere affecting the style of buying sumptuous goods. The way we Americans aspire to be rich, and even though we are not rich we feel like boasting that we are (existing suchlike a fib). Whenever our neighbors bought expensive goods, we envied them and we would go out and obtain the same goods or maybe more opulent merely to boast or try to make an impression. I purchased an iPad merely to brag and several days later I became aware that the iPad is simply similar to a gigantic iPod, which is what I already had. I returned the iPad since I owned a iPod that has the same features.
What is conspicuous leisure? Examples of conspicuous leisure are abundant on television. In what ways are leisure activities informed by social and economic class? Provide an example of a popular leisure activity. What assumptions can you make about the participants of the activity?
Conspicuous leisure is somewhat similar to conspicuous consumption. Conspicuous leisure is what happens when a person chooses leisure activities based on wealth and social status. The main purpose of conspicuous leisure is if someone participates in certain leisure activities they will achieve a higher status. Leisure activities are informed by wealth and social status as certain activities are considered more popular among the “elite.” For example, people assume that someone who attends museums and art exhibits are wealthier because those activities are usually more costly. It’s also assumed that one must be well educated to understand the exhibits in the art show or museum. A popular leisure activity is watching sports. The first thing to note is that wealthier people usually have the better seats, suite access, or club level access. In addition, they also tend to go to the bar for their drinks versus patronizing the “beer man” that comes down the aisles selling beer.
Define the term globalization. What effect does globalization have on popular culture? Provide an example of how American popular culture has influenced other countries, or how the United States has imported popular culture from other countries. Globalization often refers to the integration of regions on economic, political, cultural, or social levels.
Globalization has an obvious effect on pop culture. In an age of ever increasing technology, information is spread among various cultures with extreme speed. The speed at which information is shared causes others to be impacted by globalization on a regular basis. Through the media, people are being exposed to images of pop culture. These images may cause those who are viewing them to attempt to imitate that image.
Choose an advertisement. Analyze the ad for its media message. Answer the following questions based on that ad. * Who created the media message? Coca-Cola Why? To convince the public of how good and refreshing cola is. * Who is the intended audience? I believe that Coca Cola is aimed more at teenagers than any other age group. The company 's beverages are generally for all consumers. However, there are some brands, which target specific consumers. For example, Coca-Cola 's diet soft drinks are targeted at consumers who are older in age, between the years of 25 and 39. PowerAde sports water target those who are fit, healthy and do sport. Winnie the Pooh sipper cap Juice Drink target children between the ages 5-12. What do you know about the intended audience—age, race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic background, hobbies, profession? I also think it is aimed at male and female teens because it is seen as a hip, cool drink. I think this because it is mainly promoted on the television which is mostly watched by teenagers rather than older people * What type of lifestyle is presented? Is it realistic? Why or why not? * What is the text, written or in another form, of the message? For most advertisements they are in written for, photos, logos, messages now are in texts, and on you drink cans and bottles. What do you see and hear: written or spoken words, photos, drawings, logos, design, music, sounds, and so on? * What is the hidden text? *

This is very real and very intentional. Back in 1995, a small advertising firm in Sydney produced this ad to reintroduce the Australian market to the curvy Coke bottle. And an artist slipped a picture of a blow job into one of the ice cubes. Someone noticed, and Coke had to recall more than $200,000 worth of advertising. * What is unstated or implied in the message? Coke like other advertisements in the world, focus most of their ads on sex. * What values are expressed? Our values serve as a compass for our actions and describe how we behave in the world. 1) Leadership: The courage to shape a better future 2) Collaboration: Leverage collective genius 3) Integrity: Be real 4) Accountability: If it is to be, it 's up to me 5) Passion: Committed in heart and mind 6) Diversity: As inclusive as our brands 7) Quality: What we do, we do well * What groups of people are empowered in this message? All people of every age, culture and gender are empowered. What groups are disempowered? The same groups of people canor are just as disempowered and empowered. How so? * What part of the story is not being told? How and where could you get more information about the untold stories? * Can these messages affect how you think and feel? Why or why not? Provide examples. * Can these messages affect your behavior? Yes Why or why not? Because we as Americans are curious people and when something different come out or a lot of people are buying it, we want to try and see what it is all about Provide examples. When everyone started drinking Coke Vanilla, I had to try it to see if it tasted as good as it smelled. Honestly I did not like it. * Can the messages affect the cultural values in society in general? YES Why or why not? Because culture’s the most important value in today’s society. Provide examples.

REFERENCES www.coca-colacompany.com/Coca-Cola, Journey, Our Company www.11points.com/Food_Drink/11_Hidden_Messages_In_Food_ads_and_Logos

References: www.coca-colacompany.com/Coca-Cola, Journey, Our Company www.11points.com/Food_Drink/11_Hidden_Messages_In_Food_ads_and_Logos