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  • Jesse McCartney Partners with Motorola

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    As Jesse McCartney fever spreads across UNCW, many of us are reliving our preteen days back in the good old 2000’s. Limited Too was heaven, crocs were in style, and your first ever cell phone was your life.

    Jesse McCartney was also everywhere on Disney Channel, appearing on shows like Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Hannah Montana. Setting up a pretty good brand for himself, he also appeared in commercials such as Walmart and advertising for Motorola.

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    In McCartney’s music video for one of his songs “Shake,” Motorola shows off their new and improved flip phone. The video showcases the product for about 20 seconds, a solid amount of time for a music video.

    Use this link and check out the product spotlight around the 1 minute mark:

     

    Zoomed in specifically on the phone and shown in a variety of colors, the “Motorblur” also called the “flipout,” is a great example of product placement. Preteens during this time were a prime market for cell phones, so why not use a teenage heartthrob to market their product? AT&T also got a little shout out, just barely seen at the top of the cell phone screen as the service provider.

    This is a great marketing strategy on Motorola’s part. The phone was at a reasonable price and came with a full keyboard, perfect for teenagers to text away.

     

    Photos Courtesy of giphy.com and youtube.com

    By Taylor Maloch

  • Campus Fa$hion on a Budget

    Campus Fa$hion on a Budget

    Okay ladies AND gentlemen, as college students we all know what it means to be broke. We joke about it but most of us are serious when we say that we are literally scavenging for pennies between the couch cushions. You know who you are.

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    I am sure you all have plenty of clothing in your closets, but for some reason you never have anything to wear. Fellas, don’t act like you don’t know the feeling. I know you do.

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    Plus fashion is always changing and it is nice to feel up to date. Otherwise you have that moment when everyone around you is looking fresh but you just have on a t-shirt and jeans that definitely isn’t off-the-shoulder, or paired with a choker, nor are they high-waisted jeans, converses, or any other current trend.

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    Not all of us can afford shopping at boutiques like Hallelu, Island Passage, Bevello, Fedora, and etc.; even though we love them so much. Let’s get realistic, we are in college so we can get the job to afford those clothes.

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    Corporate brands such as American Eagle, Pacsun, Tilly’s, and etc. are somewhat affordable, but here is a tip: go to the clearance racks. Some of the greatest outfits have come from the clearance racks and there is no shame.

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    Let me tell you a little secret that not everybody knows…TJ Maxx and Marshalls. They are the world’s gift to college students. It is like a whole store dedicated to clearance on brands that can’t be afforded at full price.

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    If you don’t have time to go to the store, or you are sitting at the library trying to work on a paper but procrastinating like the boss you are; then there is always online shopping. Sign up for an Ebates account and shop the brands you love, while getting cash back every time you make a purchase. Also there are other online stores such as Romwe and Zaful which keep up with the latest trends but are for people shopping on a budget.

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    Impulse buys are a big NO when shopping, but stick to buying within these parameters and you wardrobe won’t suffer. There are places such as H&M and Plato’s Closet that gives you money back or a discount on future purchases for any clothes that you recycle to the company. It is a good way to clear out some closet space and earn/save money at the same time. Plus you won’t feel so bad about buying that jumpsuit you have been eyeing from Francesca’s.

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    There are also other ways to save on clothes such as keeping a lookout for sales. Hollister frequently has a sale going on for $25 jeans. If you are looking for any other stores that provide decent prices on quality clothes I would recommend Forever 21, a store that I have not mentioned yet. They are very good on keeping up with fashion as well as staying low on their prices but keeping quality on the front line. Also, every single one of the stores I have mentioned, carry a mens line. I am sorry fellas but once you are off to college, your mom isn’t the one that picks out your clothes anymore. If you have any questions, have advice, or would like to ad in a few stores, please comment down below and share!

    Disclaimer: None of the stores or clothing that I mention are an endorsement or an advertisement. No one was paid in the making of this post.

    – Kristan Cottle-

  • Moving Froward: 3 Companies Pushing Diverse Advertising

    A few days ago I was standing in the checkout line at Target (where we all find ourselves on an unhealthy basis) and was sucked into the magazine stand as usual. I’m a huge follower of fashion and pop culture so I find myself picking up copies of magazines more often than not when grocery shopping. The one that caught my eye this time was Vogue’s 125th Anniversary Edition. It was massive and looked dreamy with Jennifer Lawrence gracing the cover. After shamelessly spending 10 whole dollars on it, I started flipping through the glossy pages filled with glamorous celebrities, endorsing fashion and beauty companies. After getting about halfway through, I started thinking about the ads that made up 90 percent of the magazine. I was happily surprised to see a lot of diversity in the advertising. As I thought about it more, I realized that a lot of beauty and fashion companies have taken the step forward into creating ad campaigns to represent the diversity of the world. Slowly these industries are realizing that there is no “ideal” or “perfect” woman. When little girls look up to billboards of the fashion/beauty industry, they shouldn’t just see a white, skinny woman. They should be able to see a representation of themselves, whether that is black, white, gay, thin, plus size and everything in between. There are some companies that have gone beyond the boundaries and have created campaigns to embrace diversity and start a revolution.

     

    Aerie- #aeriereal

    Aerie has been one of the biggest front-runners in creating diverse campaigns to show that beauty is not a one-size-fits-all. Aerie is all about getting real and only showing authentic photos of women. They have made it their missions to no longer show super models and never retouch photos taken by the models in their ads. They have created a campaign that is relatable and unique to everyone. A girl can look at their billboards and feel like she belongs. No lies or gimmicks, just real women being confident in who they are.

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    Secret Deodorant-#stresstest

    In the wake of HB2, Secret released its own ad that pushed the boundaries of what it means to be a woman. The ad features a transgender woman in a public restroom, clearly apprehensive of coming out of the stall when other women walk into the bathroom. Secret was able to portray an accurate struggle for transgender women. As the actress finally works up the courage to leave the stall, she is able to show that there is no finite definition of what it means to be a woman in today’s society.

     

    Fenty Beauty

    Rihanna recently launched her own beauty line at Sephora and, of course, I was there the next day to check it out (no shame). If there is one thing the beauty industry lacks, it is definitely the extreme limitations on makeup to match every persons skin tone. A lot of companies will bring out 5-10 shade ranges, but that doesn’t cover a quarter of the different types of skin colors there are in the world. Rihanna took a huge step in changing the norm by bring out 40 shades of her foundation in her first release. Now women can find their shade no matter what tone they might be, making it so much easier to feel confident in your skin and beautiful when wearing makeup.

    The fashion and beauty industry still have a long way to go, but companies are taking a step in the right direction to make these industries more inclusive. What are some other companies that stand out to you in embracing diversity?

    -Melissa Trainer

    (Photos from Pinterest and TVcommercialspots.com, Video from YouTube)

  • “I’d like to buy the world a Coke”

    In 1971 Coca-Cola launched one of its very first in-color TV commercials. It was named; “I’d like to buy the world a Coke” and has been called, “one of the best-loved and most influential ads in TV history”. It featured a multicultural cast with actors and actresses from over 20 countries singing together on a hilltop in Italy. All holding a cold bottle of coke in their hands.

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    The commercial has been called “groundbreaking” and was a part of the Coca-Cola campaign, “It’s the real thing”. The slogan, as well as the commercial was created by Bill Backer (creative director for the Coca-Cola account at McCann). The idea of the commercial came to Backer while in an airport on the way to London. He quickly wrote down the words, “I’d like to buy the world a Coke and keep it company” on a white napkin so that he would not forget it in the morning.

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    Backer got help from established song writers Roger Cook, Billy Davis and Roger Greenway to write the full song for the commercial. The song became such a hit it was recorded by the New Seekers, a British pop-band. It was so idolized that it was played on the radio as a full-on song.

    The lyrics read;

     “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony”
    “I’d like to buy the world a Coke” 
    “And keep it company”
    “It’s the real thing—Coke is”
    “What the world wants today”

     

    The commercial has received praise throughout the years, and rightfully so. Davis truly captured the essence of Coca-Cola’s brand identity explaining that, Coke was more than a liquid refresher. Saying that, Coke is a “tiny bit of commonality between all people”.

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    The commercial gave hope to a multicultural world in where a bottle of Coke could be shared together amongst anyone in “perfect harmony”. The Coca-Cola bottle was used as a symbol of peace. By using a multicultural cast the commercial aimed for a world filled with greater acceptance and inclusion. Erasing divisions between people with different skin colors, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

    The commercial first aired in 1971. The same year as the US voting age was lowered to 18, Disney World welcomed it’s first visitors, the Pentagon Papers were published, and National Public Radio broadcasted for the first time.

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    A lot of things were changing at this time. You could possibly argue that in a state of doubt and anti-Vietnam war attitudes, Coca-Cola was ahead of its time releasing this “feel good” commercial focused on friendship and happiness. And it might have been a slight nod against the war oversees.

    Take a look at the commercial yourself! Why do you think this became such a hit? Why do you think it resonated with people?

    P.S. If you watched Mad Men, the final scene of the show is followed by the Coca-Cola Hilltop commercial. Showcasing just how iconic it was and still is today.

    – Olivia Nilsson

  • ~Banned Books Week~

    As a child, I know one of the ways I loved spending my free time was by reading a good book. From fiction to nonfiction, I was hooked on learning about other worlds, places and ideas that challenged me to think in a completely different way. Even if I didn’t agree with what I read, it gave me a special opportunity to see another perspective and attempt to understand another side to an argument.

    But for a second, I would like to take this moment to challenge the reader on how their lives might be different if they had not been able to read their favorite children’s book because it was banned in their public library.

    As it begins to approach, the last week in September is dedicated towards Banned Books Week.Twitter1b.png

    Banned Books Weekis an annual event in which we all celebrate the freedom to read. According to the American Library Association, “Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers — in shared support of the freedom to seek and express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.”

    A famous banned book actually even happens to be one of my favorite books- The Great Gatsby.

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    A famous banned book actually even happens to be one of my favorite books. The Great Gatsby tells a remarkable tale with a great source of imagery that really allows you to step back in time that seems quite foreign to most people of the modern age. I, for one, couldn’t imagine how I could have grown up without reading about Jay Gatsby’s unconditional love for Daisy Buchanan or learning about the symbolism that every page seems to hold. However, according to bannedbooksweek.org, it was banned because of “the book’s language and mere references to sex.”

    But forget about just my own favorite, there are tons of books that are banned all over the country for not wanting to expose others to certain things that make people uncomfortable but may sometimes need to be addressed.

    However, while I knew Banned Books Week was something that happened annually, I wondered how many other people actually knew when it actually was or even about it at all.

    I quickly found that there are Facebook and Twitter pages ran to promote the week. These same pages also bring attention to books that are controversial and fight for the ability of free speech. This allows readers to express their opinions via social media.doctor-who-books-best-weapons-in-the-world.gifWhile there isn’t an Instagram dedicated to this week, there is a popular hashtag called #BannedBooksWeek which allows people to get the word out about this week and celebrate the books that they care so much about.

    These social media pages aren’t incredibly popular with followers and uses but it gives people a chance to show the world what they care about in a free, open space.

    What book do you want to read to celebrate Banned BooksWeek of 2017? Leave your answers in the comments; I can’t wait to hear about them and learn about all the exciting worlds you’ve come to love.

    ~Alyssa Moeller

  • Coffee and College: Why Coffee Companies Are Marketing on Campus

    With midterms approaching, many students can be found studying on campus. Whether you’re trying to stay awake for that early morning class or cramming at a late night study session, chances are you’re drinking some kind of coffee or caffeinated beverage from a campus café. UNCW has two Starbucks, a Dunkin’ Donuts, a Port City Java, and various dining options on campus that sell coffee. Why are there so many places to purchase coffee on campus and why are coffee companies marketing to college students?

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    Coffee is the number one item that students are willing to purchase on campus. Coffee sales account for around 20% of on campus food sales and the average college student spends around $100 a month on coffee. It makes sense that large companies would want to take up space on college campuses. Marketers have also found that not only do students go to coffee shops when they need to study but having coffee shops is another way that many students socialize. When thinking of the cafes on campus, this is also a way to create another space for students to study. Not only is coffee important for the students, but teachers need some energy too!

    Here are some ways that companies try to market to students:

    1. A lot of companies are finding new accessories to sell to students. One of the more popular items are freakers. Freakers are a one size fits all bottle insulator. They are customizable and made in the US. In the past couple of years, they have become a popular item for college students. More recently, they have been sold by Port City Java. You can find these beautiful bottle sweaters (as I like to call them) at a PCJ near you.

    2. One of the biggest coffee competitors, Starbucks, is trying to find new ways to market towards college students. In the past couple of years, Starbucks has started to “roll out” coffee trucks on campus. This provides a more convenient way to reach students on campus…literally.

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    3. A couple years ago Dunkin’ Donuts changed the game, they gave us iced coffee drink sleeves. Iced coffee is a hot commodity with college students so this is the perfect accessory for walking around campus. Now you can enjoy your iced coffee in any weather!

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    So what’s your poison? Dunkin’, Port City Java, or Starbucks? Drink responsibly.

    (images courtesy of giphy.com and fool.com)

    -Sam Ruark

     

  • It’s Common Sense… Graduate with Experience!

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    At some point, every college student is faced with the existential realization that their time at UNCW will end and they will have to go into “the real world.” One of the most common problems graduates run into is finding a job without experience. It’s a never-ending cycle: you need experience to get a job and you need a job to get experience. Thankfully, there are several things you can do while you are still in college to get the experience you need to snag a job straight out of college.

    Get an Internship

    Taking an internship is one of the best things I ever did at UNCW. My internships encouraged me to pursue a career in Integrated Marketing Communication. Through my internships, I gained valuable experience and had the chance to learn what skills were in demand and what I should work on before I entered the job market. If you have a chance, try to get multiple internships while you are still a student. Seawork is always full opportunities. I got my first internship during my first semester of college. Since then, I have had two other internships and will graduate this year with over four years of experience in my field.

    An internship is a great way to gain experience while connecting with potential employers. According to a 2016 report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), internship experiences significantly increase a student’s chance of being offered a job after college and receiving a higher starting salary. In addition, 46% of students who participated in an internship received a job offer.

    Enroll in an Applied Learning Class

    When it comes to experience, you couldn’t have picked a better school. UNCW places a strong emphasis on connecting its students with applied learning opportunities. Applied learning is the chance to take the theories, ideas, and skills one learns in the classroom and apply it to real life situations. Most upper-level communication studies courses place an emphasis on applied learning. For example, our IMC II class is helping UNCW research the impact crises have on its brand image. Experiences like these are great for your resume and provide valuable experience that is sure to impress employers.

    Learn Something New

    As communication studies majors, we are taught to be lifelong learners. The job market is constantly shifting and employers are always looking for new sets of skills. Learning something new can make you much more marketable in the job market. Instead of turning on Parks and Recreation or The Office, spend some time learning about SEO, Analytics, Facebook Ads, or other skills that are relevant to your field. Aren’t sure what to look for? Searching for jobs online is a great way to learn which skills are in demand and what you should be working on.

    Don’t Stress

    As a student, the idea of preparing to get a job can sometimes seem overwhelming. You may feel like you’ll never have enough skills or experience to achieve success. My advice is to take things one step at a time. Go on Seawork and apply for an internship, sign up for an upper-level communication studies class, look at WordPress tutorials on your phone between classes, or sign up for a (super inexpensive) Adwords or Analytics certification class at CIE. No matter what you do, there’s a job that can use your skills. Keep on learning and growing. You got this.

    Photo from Memeful.com

    -K. Layne Smith