Times Square

           In everyday life we are constantly bombarded with advertisements. They come at us from all directions—on television, in magazines, and on the computer screen. Every company claims that their product is the one you should choose. They claim their product is the cheapest, the best. Because we always have so many advertisements thrown our way, I thought it would be interesting to analyze how companies effectively advertise their products in one of the busiest commercial intersections—Times Square.
       When you visit Times Square you are blinded by all of the lights, bombarded by advertisements, maybe even taken aback by all of the commotion. The ads in Times Square are lit up and full of color. Approximately 500,000 people travel through the area each day, and more than 10 million people see live shots of Times Square on daily television shows. This shows that the advertisements in Times Square must be eye-popping and unique.  But what makes an ad stand out?
         Some companies like American Eagle Outfitters feel one of the best ways to appeal to the public is by being the largest and tallest. Its LED signs stretch over 15,000 square feet and cover 4 levels. American Eagle uses bright colors and their popular slogan, “Live your Life” in order to appeal to the potential customers bustling through this busy section of New York. MTV, on the other hand, may not have the tallest advertisement, but it definitely has the widest. Its HD video screen is the largest available to advertisers in Times Square. This huge screen is sure to catch your attention as it advertises concerts, special events, or the “next big thing”.
       Other companies, like Forever 21, always find ways to stop the crowd. Every day onscreen models interact with the crowd in order draw the audience in. Models on the 60 foot screen take photos of passersby and display them on the screen or shout to people as they walk by. This allows the public to become a part of the ad instead of just looking at it.
      Clearly these companies have found unique ways to appeal to their target audiences. They have taken the idea of advertisement to a new level and modified their uses of rhetorical devices to appeal to a new generation. They have taken advantage of the technology available to them and used it as a tool to catch the attention of viewers in more way than one.

The Swoosh

        Recently I attended a swim meet at Ohio State University. The natatorium was everything and more. It had great seating, a crisp, clean 50 meter pool and a large rectangular diving well. The whole facility provided the perfect atmosphere for one to swim fast--really fast. Throughout my life, I have visited hundreds of pools, from state-of-the-art outdoor 50 meter pools with 20 lanes, to indoor 25 yard pools that were much less extravagant, containing only 6 lanes.
      It is fair to say that I have witnessed many different kinds of pools each with its unique feel. So, when I stepped onto the pool deck at Ohio State, although I was slightly taken aback by its enormity and its contemporary feel, I expected the facility to be just another nice natatorium. Yet, as I looked around for the first time, something struck me- something I had never before seen on a pool deck in all of my traveling. On each wall there was a thin banner. On this red banner, written in white letters were the number of national champions, national titles, Big Ten champions, and team titles. This banner surrounded the lower level of the natatorium so everyone could see. The men’s accomplishments were on one wall, and the women’s on the other.
       As I examined the banner, I noticed that directly in the middle of the banner was a Nike Swoosh. The list of accomplishments was very impressive, and no one could deny the success of the Ohio State swim team, but the Nike Swoosh said it all. The banner didn’t have to say “Nike” for one to understand the message, nor did it there have to be a long, complicated advertisement; all that was needed was the Swoosh. I think that this is very powerful because it shows the influence Nike’s marketing campaign has had, especially in collegiate athletics. It was as if all of Ohio achievements were a result of Nike, all of the dreams that have come true for the Buckeyes would not have been possible without Nike. This showed the impact that Nike has had, and how rhetoric, whether you are aware of it or not, is always present, even at a swim meet.

                                                                                                             

Black History Month

     On Monday I attended the Black Wax Museum Program, an event part of NAACP Week. This event was a great way to observe both rhetoric and civil discourse at work. Students acted as wax figures of prominent African Americans, and with each blink they immediately came to life. The actors then provided the audience with a short autobiography and a fun or obscure fact about themselves. This allowed the audience members to interact and become engaged in the tour. Each audience member was able to learn more about African Americans who have contributed to society in positive ways. The theme of From Slavery To Freedom: Africans in the Americas gave the audience a way to celebrate African American culture and also learn something new. The actors told their stories through the use of skits and monologues. The actors were able to bring to life historical events and shed a little more light on just how much society has changed over the years. Through the skits and dialogues the members of the audience were able to engage in an interactive experience that brought past events to life. The skits made the event entertaining and somewhat spontaneous. One never really knew what to expect.  
      The audience was able to understand the hardship, the struggle, and the challenges they faced living in a society where they were treated as second-class citizens. The way the stories that were told, the way information was conveyed contributed to the mood of the event and really made the audience think about the past, the present, and the future. This event provided the perfect opportunity to learn a little more about our nation’s history and celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans. Through the use of the spoken word each member was able to connect a little more with those who have made a difference.

Winning the Future

      Recently, President Obama spoke to the Penn State community about energy conservation and technological advances being made. It’s true that people are becoming more and more aware of the need to “go green”, and President Obama’s speech was very fitting. In his speech he took advantage of both kairos and exigency. He was able to discuss an issue that calls people to action and did so under the right circumstances. He took heed of his audience and understood the importance of word choice. His delivery, his style, and his tone all contributed to a speech that made one actually want to listen.
     Because President Obama was speaking on a college campus, it was important that he understand his audience and how to connect with them. By assessing the situation, he was able to deliver a speech that was worthwhile and pertinent. He discussed the importance of fostering the construction of energy efficient buildings, as well as investing in research that will aid in discovering new ways to conserve energy. He stressed how this investment will lead to new jobs and contribute to a better economy.
      Although important topics were discussed within President Obama’s speech, it was truly his use of rhetorical devices that made his speech so poignant. He clearly assessed the rhetorical situation and was able to step into a kairotic moment and left the audience with an important message. President Obama covered many areas, but most importantly he endorsed change. He challenged the audience to take advantage of new resarech opportunities, to understand the importance of saving our environment, and what it would really mean if we all “go green.” He asked the audience to think about the future, to invest in it. By building off of his theme of “Winning the Future”, President Obama spoke of an issue essential in today’s political arena and used a plethora of rhetorical devices that really allowed him to drive his point home.

Be Mine?

http://www.zshare.net/audio/860404777937e5ff/