Analysis 1

Assignment 1-4-2

May 29^th, 2012

            Reality television has exploded over the past few years and has people worldwide begging for more with each new hit show!  Survivor, American Idol, Real World, The Bachelor, and The Bachelorette are some very popular examples of reality television. 

            Some of the people that enter to get on reality television are plain and simply looking for fame.  Like being on television is an instant head start in the entertainment industry.  Sometimes, this is the case.  But more likely than not the most of the people who participate are a one hit wonder and then disappear from the spotlight for the remainder of their “entertainment” career. 

            Depending on ones’ viewer experience preference, reality television can be enjoyable, but as with anything…there is some terrible reality television shows!  The newest one I have seen is “South Beach Tow”.  I personally enjoy reality television, but only when it is or seems like it is actually reality.  “South Beach Tow” is one of the worst, most set up reality television I have ever witnessed. 

            Reality television continues to grow and grow.  It seems as if every week there is a new show coming out.  Some will prosper, like “Big Brother” or “Survivor” and others will dwindle off, but everyone knows…America loves watching drama.  Real life drama for that matter, so it seems as if we will all have to deal with reality television for a long while!

Icon Analysis

Ronald McDonald

Ronald McDonald was introduced on three separate television advertisements in 1963, followed by a huge first appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade starting in 1966!  He was nicknamed the "Hamburger Happy Clown".  Ronald McDonald may be the most recognized advertising icon in the world!  Something about this happy-go-lucky, hamburger loving clown just makes the world want to run to a McDonald's and enjoy their delicious food.  I chose Ronald McDonald because not only is he a worldwide recognized advertising icon, but they also started the Ronald McDonald houses after this character.  The Ronald McDonald houses are a facility in which parents can stay if they have a child in a nearby hospital in chronic care.  This character and popular culture icon stuck out to me because I recently had a friend whose son was in a very serious car accident and had to stay at a Ronald McDonald house for about 6 weeks.  I though it was amazing that one, single advertising clown could not only help with the major success of a international fast food business, but also to help give back to customers and all people in general.
 

Tim Tebow

My next contemporary icon is the one and only Tim Tebow.  Tim Tebow is now the quarter back for the New York Jets.  He played college football for the University of Florida, and won the Heisman trophy in 2007.  He was a first round pick in the 2010 Draft for the Denver Broncos.  Not only is he recognized for his amazing athletic skills, but more importantly for the way he lives his life day in and day out.  He is a man of god and he is not afraid to show it.  NFL fans are constantly reminded of his faith with his repetitive notions during games (as seen above).  Tim Tebow is one of the few athletes that has a very open spiritual life and even has a foundation meant to help the less fortunate.  He understands that he has a very blessed life, and wants to share the wealth.  I chose Tim Tebow because of all of the above.  He is not ashamed of his faith and knows that there is more to life than being a superstar quarter back.  He uses his fame to do good for others, and I feel that is a very noble, respectable notion. 

Facebook

Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg and his roommates while studying at Harvard University.  It launched in February of 2004, and now has over 900 million active users.  Facebook is an international social networking service.  It allows people from everywhere to connect with each other through posting photographs, updating statuses, instant messaging, wall postings, and even by uploading videos!  I believe that Facebook is a contemporary icon because it is everywhere!  All over commercials, the Internet, the radio.  Does anyone recall hearing, "Find us on Facebook at..."?  Facebook has exploded and keeps growing and growing.  Facebook is very influential on my life because I have a lot of family, and some of them live very far away.  But, with Facebook, I feel like we stay more connected by seeing their pictures, and them seeing pictures of my growing son (and myself) and everything that is going on in my life.  It is a comforting feeling knowing that most of my family is just a click away!

"Popular Culture" Artifact

To actually define "Popular Culture", many factors need to be looked at.  "Popular Culture" refers to beliefs, art, music, traditions, and patterns of behavior that is learned and followed by a community of people.  

"Popular Culture" to me is the way society embraces everyday life; what people wear, what kind of music they choose to listen to, how they communicate, they types of food that they choose to eat,  and just a general acceptance of how to live in today society. 

Understanding "Popular Culture" is not only crucial to live comfortably and securely within society, but it is also extremely important in the business environment.  Business, in most cases, all reflects on what people want and need so it is important to understand what the "in style" trends are.  This will help you to understand what your customers/clients need and want; which will benefit everyone involved.  At my place of employment right now, everyone is obsessed with being thin and fit.  I am a full time bartender/waitress and it is important that I recommend the low calorie drinks, and healthy foods so that the customers are aware of what my places of employment have to offer.  In most cases than not, they usually take my recommendation.  

Understanding "Popular Culture" for my future employment is also very important.  I would like to eventually work in a benefits department in Human Resources designing and explaining benefit packages to employees.  It is important to know what people want so that the employees will be satisfied with what I will have to offer them.  Also, having a common ground with the employees through "Popular Culture" is important so that they are comfortable with me.  

A "Popular Culture" artifact that I think is extremely influential is the IPad.  This thing is crazy!  Now that the IPad has been introduced, there really is not much need for anything else.  A computer, a phone, a web cam, a GPS, the Internet, and even a radio and so much more...this thing has it all!  Although I do not have an IPad, most everyone I know does and says they do not know how they functioned before without it.