Media
I think media can be presented in many different forms. Whether it is through clothing a person wears or an endorsement, it’s still a type of media. Of course, society is exposed to media everyday without even noticing. The first type of media that I have not really paid attention to but now notice is the fact that American Idol contestants are always drinking Coke products and there are always Ford advertisements in the background. As soon as a commercial comes on the narrator always says “American Idol is brought to you by Ford” and then goes directly into their commercial (which will often star American Idol’s top 10). I never really paid too much attention to these things but as I sit in my room watching American Idol Rewind and the new season, I noticed it more and more. I wonder how much money these companies are getting for their instant advertising. This type of media tries to get people to buy the product.
The next type of media I just recently noticed was the fact that Andy Roddick always wears either Lacoste in his tennis matches. Similar to Coke/Ford with American Idol, Lacoste sponsors Andy Roddick to sell their product. Though I wouldn’t necessarily buy a Lacoste shirt because Andy Roddick wore it, using this tactic is an efficient way to increase sales. 
I think there is a Proactive advertisement in almost every magazine I have recently looked in. Whether they are using Jessica Simpson, Vanessa Williams or Kelly Clarkson, they are pushing to sell their “miracle acne product”. By using these famous people, it makes the everyday person with acne more comfortable to buy the product. Not only do they think the product must work because Jessican Simpson uses it but it also comforts them to know even famous people suffer from acne. 
I think I didn’t notice it because I saw it so much! I know that might not make a lot of sense, but I always know where the advertisement will be so I just skip over it now.
I always knew America’s Next Top Model winners won a contract with Cover Girl, but I never noticed how much advertising was actually in the one hour show and magazines. Through out the show you can hear the girls saying “oh I just love this new Cover Girl lipgloss!”. Of course, this must be scripted for the benefit of the endorsed product. Also, on the inside cover of almost every fashion magazine, you can see the face of ANTP’s winner posing the the traditional Cover Girl Smile. 
I think this assignment about the media is quite interesting because I actually just recently noticed a billboard in NYC a few weekends ago. I looked up and saw an Abercrombie billboard. I always wear Abercrombie and never look at their advertisements (I’m already hooked!), but this one stood out to me, and not in a good way. I never noticed how sexual their ads were. I hate the image Abercrombie is conveying to younger buyers who are formed by this company.
