The group presentations in class this week were rather impressive, and a few things from them/the ensuing discussions have definitely stuck with me as things to discuss is my last blog post.
One thing that's on my mind that I wish I had asked about, and I'm interested in, is how various versions of television shows, based on country/region, can unite people across cultures and borders. The contestants/cast may be different, but the themes and general structure of shows may be the same, and I'm interested to know if having forms of entertainment in common can bridge cultural understanding - maybe even just by having a favorite tv show in common.
Another thing discussed in the presentations was advertising, particularly product placement. I'm generally not a fan of advertising, and less so of product placement when it's as blatant as it is on, say, The Biggest Loser. I think it works better when it's subtle, like the Verizon phones that appear everywhere on Gossip Girl. I like to think I'm immune to advertising, that what I see on tv, hear on the radio, or read in newspapers or magazines doesn't affect me. But I know I'm not. Granted, I usually fall prey to advertising schemes that use cute animals, but I think that maybe, just maybe, if I recognize when advertising affects my purchasing choices that I'm overall less vulnerable.
Product placement tries to skirt that concept of being immune to traditional advertising. People tend to identify more with characters or contestants on existing shows than the hyper-cheerful, always grinning commercial actors and actresses, who ultimately tend to grate on one's nerves (or at least mine). Product placement/embedded advertising, subtle or not, sends the message (or at least tries to) that consumers can shape their lives in some way similar to those they follow for an hour a week.
The more I think about it...the more similarities (albeit superficial) advertising has to public diplomacy: encouraging people to buy into an image or a product. Obviously they manifest themselves differently, but the idea of having something to sell, whether a product or idea, is fundamental to communications.
I think the it's interesting that subtle product placement is becoming an issue for people. I don't know if you've every watched the series Bones, but I think in the last season they've had the most awkward product placement like "wow, this [iphone]is so convenient and handy! look at all I can do with it!" or Toyota hybrids "This is the car of the future!"...that kind of thing. I think it also has something to do with how appealing the character is, and factoring in the desirability of the product. I read an article last year about Nora Ephron's movies, like that one with Meryll Streep and Alec Baldwin being full of designer home-wares that people had to copy, only it was done so subtly that the appeal of the product beat out the name. I'd like to see if a show becomes more blatant with product placement as it becomes more popular.
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