IMC Hawks Blog

Category: Entertainment

  • Jimmy Buffett: An Example of Corporate Communication in Music

    Music has long been a part of our society. It can tell stories, showcase creativity and open the window to a person’s soul. Music can also showcase aspects of corporate communication through the narrative it creates. Our group has defined corporate communication as the process through which an organization uses symbols to get its message across. Symbols can be found within music and our group chose one particular musician whose lyrics have generated considerable influence and have offered plenty of symbols representing himself and society.
    The musician who we think best represents corporate communication is Jimmy Buffett. Mr. Buffett is an individual whose music and lyrics have generated a fan base of millions and created a lucrative franchise market. Jimmy Buffett’s musical style blends tropical, country, pop and rock to create a genre known as gulf and western, which appeals to a broad range of music lovers. His tunes emphasize easy living and idyllic life on the seaside. In the past, Buffett has cultivated the image of a cheerful beachcomber. Jimmy Buffett still maintains his happy, carefree lifestyle to this day and his fans continue to show unwavering loyalty.
    Mr. Buffett’s fans are affectionately known as Parrotheads (I, Sean, happen to be one). I have had the pleasure of attending two concerts in my life and I have gotten a glimpse of the Parrothead culture. Concert attendees wear wild and outlandish getups to show their devotion to Jimmy Buffet. These outfits include Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, animal outfits (typically parrots and sharks), and leis. There is widespread tailgating prior to concerts, which includes barbecues and margaritas. This idea of a Parrothead culture gives fans a way to express themselves and identify with Buffett’s music and all that it stands for. Here is a visual aid: Attending a Jimmy Buffett concert is something that is not easily forgotten.
    Aside from his concerts, Jimmy Buffett has other business ventures. He has built his brand to include several best-selling novels, he owns his own beer line, and he even has his own station on Sirius Radio. He also owns two restaurant chains consisting of Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise (named after two of his songs). These restaurants have a distinct feel to them that is easily recognizable upon entrance. The restaurants include gift shops where customers can purchase memorabilia with all of their favorite Jimmy Buffet sayings. Buffett demonstrates corporate social responsibility through his support of conservation. He has performed charity concerts, including his most recent one at the Gulf Coast after the oil spill. Buffett has built up a large empire through his music and franchising and he continues to do what earned him this success in the first place; perform concerts all across the globe.
    From a corporate communication standpoint, Buffett uses music to create a narrative for his brand. His lyrics contain symbols of his lifestyle, his experiences and his views on society, which his fans can relate to. He has continued to communicate his message to a tremendous collection of people through his books, restaurants and merchandise. The Parrotheads not only represent stakeholders, but they are also loyal followers who demonstrate just how much enthusiasm people can have in response to a unique message. Buffet has always had considerable influence and his music will continue to communicate his message for years to come.

    If anyone would like to listen to the song that started it all, check out this Youtube video: and keep searching for that lost shaker of salt!

    Eliza, Jocelyn, Sarah, Sean

  • Lights… Camera… Corporate Communication!

    The Video Music Awards on MTV is one of the most celebrated nights in American pop culture and media. Whether it’s the high fashion, the camera and lights, or the thought of our favorite entertainers under one roof, America loves watching and being a part of the VMAs. In order to integrate the public into the voting process and give them the feeling that they are a part of the show, the use mass media was present this year to reach millions of viewers at a time. MTV helped get people involved by the use of cell phones, Facebook, twitter, etc. It was reported that even during the show stars like  Katy Perry, Rhianna, and Lady Gaga were tweeting messages to their followers. This mode of mass media allows the public to feel connected with not only the show, but their favorite stars as well. It bridges the gap between fantasy and reality and causes the audience to become a part of the show and rock-star lifestyle.

    This idea is just as important in Corporate Communication. Instead of being based on entertainers and fans, the idea revolves around businesses and their clients, customers, and publics. Businesses use mass media in order to reach more people and help them to become a part of, or feel connected to, a company’s public narrative. Many companies are using the same mass media outlets as those in pop culture, such as Facebook, twitter, texting, and so on. This helps them reach a wider audience and gets their public more involved. The use of mass media helps bridge the communication gap between an organization or business and its publics. Whether for pop culture purposes, such as the VMAs, or promoting an organization or business, mass media can help create positive and consistent communication with an organization and its audience.

    To watch the VMAs, click here.

    Breanna Alexander
    Lauren Dehart
    Lauren Smith
    Kelly Wiley

  • iBlog

    We would bet that not many people can think about listening to music, downloading music, or finding new music without the words iTunes or iPod coming to mind. This is because the entire “i” generation of Apple has become a revolution in the way we use, listen and think about music. Consumer affairs is a vital part of Corporate Communications and no one does it better than Apple.

    iTunes has everything you need to fulfill your music, TV and movies wants. You find and download your new favorite songs through iTunes. Once you have them, you don’t make a mix CD of songs (although you could) but instead, you make a playlist and add that playlist to your iPod. Apple has made downloading and listening music so easy and interactive that other mediums such as Limewire and MP3 players are in no comparison. Obviously, if you were to want a phone that can also hold all of your music, most people would immediately think of the iPhone. Apple listens to what their consumer’s desire and they deliver it in the most user-friendly way possible.

    iTunes has evolved drastically over the years. Your iTunes account is now your own personalized website with everything tailored to you. It’s your music, your library, your playlist and with the use of Integrated Marketing Communications, iTunes uses research to gather information about you and in turn, makes recommendations for music you might like based on what you have purchased in the past.

    Apple is constantly on top of the music revolution not only by improving their own products but by creating new consumer benefits. Apple has recently released Ping which, if you download the newest version of iTunes, is a social network and music hybrid. Ping allows you to follow your favorite artists and friends to see what they are listening to and downloading.

    With Apple’s uncanny ability to anticipate consumer needs, its reputation as the leader in music services has remained consistent to its brand identity.

    -Meghan, Emily, Gracie, Wade

  • “Jamming Out to the Tune of Corporate Communication”

    Corporate communication can be found anywhere and everywhere. Where it lies this week is within the music industry. The music industry is a complex formulated system that is very much stakeholder oriented. One of the biggest music based corporations is Sony Music Entertainment. Sony Music Entertainment is an international recorded music company which features many of the top labels around today; those including Arista, Epic, Legacy, Columbia, RCA, and Jive. They have signed many of the top artists of the music scene. Sony Music Entertainment depends on their stakeholders for the success of their company and the success of their artists. A strategic strong communication strategy is essential for music corporations to survive.

    Sony’s ability to balance the music industry and its product line is impeccable. Although we as consumers do not have an insiders perspective of their communication strategy, the company makes it blatantly obvious. Take for instance Justin Timberlake’s appearance in a recent commercial for an addition that was made to the Sony VAIO laptop. It’s new media gallery has instantly become it’s main selling point, and all of this is done solely because of Timberlake’s presence in the commercial. Sony has developed a selling point for their products based on what the stakeholders of the company want: entertainers and artists. Of course, if Justin wants it, then so do I.

    To see the commercial click here.

    Since being founded in 1946, Sony has demonstrated that it has the ability to enhance people’s lives through its products.  Today, Sony still continues to fuel industry growth through the innovation of new products.  As a company, Sony Music Entertainment has a reputation for producing innovative products of exceptional quality and value.  Sony makes sure communication campaigns are formed and conducted on a strategic platform basis to ensure that its products gain exposure to consumers.  Currently, the Sony VAIO, has been gaining a massive amount of exposure not only from it’s commercials, but also due to the product placement appearances in television shows.

    It is safe to say that music, not corporate communication, is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Sony Music Entertainment.  However, it is obvious that they focus highly on their reputation and the ways in which they market their products to specific audiences and how they value their stakeholders.  Their image has remained consistent with their work as they have continued to grow and prosper.  This is yet another example of how many aspects of an organization are, in essence, corporate communication.  Whether you are a die hard Sony fanatic or not, you have to admit that their prominent place in the music industry and the ways in which they have gotten there are extremely impressive.

    -Lora, Arielle, Danielle, Haley

  • Seeing one’s corporation from the other side

    The CBS reality series “Undercover Boss” follows high-level chief executives as they slip anonymously into the rank and file of their companies. The purpose of this show is to show the CEOs of these large corporations what it’s really like working in the lower levels of the company. By the end of the episodes, these CEOs and high-level execs see the effects their decisions have on the entire company, right down to the lowest level employee. This show relates to our Corporate Communication class because it depicts the lack of communication that so often exists between upper level management and the lower level employees. By experiencing first-hand the hard work that their employees do, the CEOs realize that there needs to be improvements in their company’s communication strategies.

    The pilot episode featured the CEO of Waste Management, Larry O’Donnell. After working among the garbage collectors of his company, O’Donnell recognized the need to solicit advice from his garbage collectors before launching company-wide initiatives. O’Donnell clearly learned from his experience on “Undercover Boss.” Corporate Communication involves actively communicating and engaging with stakeholders. By listening to his employees’ needs, O’Donnell is helping shape Waste Management’s corporate reputation into a positive one. Corporate Identitity should reflect upon employees’ values and feelings about the company. Larry O’Donnell is working towards a strong corporate identity for Waste Management by simply listening to his employees and communicating their values throughout the company.

    Ari Nateman

    Fran Greene

    Lacey Inman

    Megan Regele

  • Corporate Communication in 30 Rock

    It is becoming very clear to us that we are surrounded by corporate communication, but then again all of us writing this blog are in a class that conveniently shares the same name.  Communication Studies majors are not the only ones who encounter the area under discussion.  Unless you are a hermit, we would be willing to bet that you too have experienced the phenomenon that is corporate communication!

    Since corporate communication is everywhere, we thought it would be easy to pick out examples of it in the TV shows and movies we watch.  Wrong.  We couldn’t think of many examples that demonstrate corporate communication right off the tops of our heads.  Then, one of our group members offered up the suggestion of 30 Rock, the NBC sitcom created by Saturday Night Live writer and actress, Tina Fey!

    Although there are examples of corporate communication throughout the four seasons of 30 Rock, we decided to focus on the pilot episode for the sake of this blog.  At the beginning of the episode, Liz Lemon, played by Tina Fey, goes into what she thinks will be a normal day at work as the head writer for “The Girlie Show.” That is until she is called to the 50th floor to meet with her boss.  Expecting to see Gary, her usual boss, Liz is surprised when she is instead greeted by Jack Donaghy, played by Alec Baldwin, and even more shocked to find out that Jack has replacedGary.  Jack starts the conversation by informing Liz that much to her dismay they need to “retool” The Girlie Show in order to increase male viewership.  To achieve this, Jack suggests adding movie star, Tracy Jordan, played by Tracy Morgan, to the cast.  Despite her discontent, Liz agrees and from this we can begin to see corporate communication in action.

    Let’s look at Liz’s The Girlie Show as a brand; the brand is not capturing a male demographic, so network executives feel that it is time to introduce a new strategy.  This strategy comes in the form of Tracy Jordan, whom they believe will bring in viewers from the XY population.  Luckily, viewers receive the introduction of Tracy well and ratings increase, thus increasing the popularity of The Girlie Show brand.  In this instance, the viewers are the equivalent to consumers; they are stakeholders who determine whether the show stays on the air or gets canceled.  Tracy Jordan is another stakeholder, but he can be likened more to an employee of a company.  He doesn’t want to see the show do poorly because his job could be in jeopardy.  Liz, along with the other actors, and the network executives are also stakeholders in the organization.  If the show doesn’t do as well as hoped then their jobs are also on the line.  This is obviously a simplified explanation, but it demonstrates corporate communication nonetheless.

    -Sarah, Jocelyn, Sean, and Eliza

  • “You do not get 500 million friends without making a few enemies.”

    In 2003, a few Harvard undergraduate computer geeks sat down and began working on a project. What came out of this project was the world’s fastest growing and, perhaps, the most popular social networking site ever created.

    This story is the framework for the new movie Social Network, which highlights the life of Facebook creator, Mark Zuckerberg. After six years, Zuckerberg has become the world’s youngest billionaire and Facebook the world’s most popular media network. In our fast pace moving society, time is money and money is time; and time itself, invaluable. So, a networking site that gives you the power to communicate with over 500 million users at any time is the world’s most powerful marketing and communication tool. In recent years, this “power” has been channeled by millions of businesses in order to promote their business and reach more potential clients. This gives additional lower-cost advertising that can reach more people. It’s a “no brainer”.

    In corporate communication, just as in Facebook, networking is key. The more associates/clients, or in the case of Facebook, friends a company has, the more their product, identity, and reputation is supported and exposed. Understanding and executing this idea is key for successful corporate networking. Let’s use Facebook as an example.

    Jane goes to a party and her friend Kate introduces her to her friend Sarah. The next day, Sarah friend requests Jane on Facebook and Jane accepts. Jane notices the hot guy from her English class, Joe, is friends with Sarah. So Jane friend requests Joe. Joe and Jane begin Facebook chatting. Now Joe and Jane are friends.

    Yes, it’s just that easy … Well not really, but this is why networking is important in corporate communication. Replace Jane with the vice president of Pepsi, for example. He goes to a function or benefit with other corporate “royalty” and is introduced to the head PR representative for Nike. One thing leads to another, and suddenly you have Lebron James on your TV with a basketball in one hand, a Pepsi in the other, and two Nike shoes on his feet. This is social networking at its finest. Networking is seen all around us every day. Whether it’s for social or corporate reasons, it’s an effective tool for successful communication.

    Does the movie discussed in the article sound interesting to you?  Check out the movie trailer here.

    Breanna Alexander
    Lauren Dehart
    Lauren Smith
    Kelly Wiley