Blog Entry #1 - Hype Revision

In the essay "Hype", Kalle Lasn states that advertisements are the most prevalent and toxic of the mental pollutants. I think advertisements are part of our daily routine and, therefore, I don't consider marketing as toxic. Marketing nowadays is a very large business industry that focuses on creating many commercials for most products and services we use on a regular basis generating a source of employment. I also think that advertisements are an excellent way of communication not only for products and services, but also for public benefits and education in general.

              I think marketing is probably one of the largest business industries that continuously grow generating employment opportunities. As companies create new products, new labels, and people start up new companies, there is the need to start the advertisement process to show the world all about new products and services newly available. Marketing companies compete to create the best commercials to attract more consumers hiring a team of professionals to come up with the best ideas and make them a reality. Every day we learn of new products and services available and it is through the media that we learn about them, and for one simple commercial it takes a whole crew to come up with the final presentation. The creation of commercials may include graphic designers; make up professionals, wardrobe, writers, marketing and sale specialists, business managers, and many other professionals depending on the type of commercial. It may also include celebrities to get even more attention. For instance, the Pepsi Company recently launched a line of soda drinks with a new logo design and it's been advertised on public television by American Pop singer Beyoncé. Being that Beyoncé is a very popular pop singer, she is not only promoting the drink but her public image is also contributing to sales increase because the more her commercials are popular, the more profit the company receives. 

           Advertisements are also meant to communicate and educate the public in general and not only for commercial publicity purposes. Many organizations nowadays utilize advertisements to educate people promoting good health and wellbeing. I have seen ads around New York City and therefore I’ve been informed about public programs available for the community. By riding on the subway, I have seen posters with information regarding organizations that promote mental health services to people that have been victims of domestic violence, there is information on how to access the services at no cost or at a low cost to people who need help rehabilitating from drug and substance abuse, people that may need help on other issues as well. When I watch television for instance, I learn that 311 is a hotline for new Yorkers to get all kind of information regarding services even weather conditions. I have seen posters and on television and heard on radio around almost everywhere that 311 has the most updated information about what is going in the city and where you can get help regarding services available that you may need. Another example is First Lady of the United States, Michele Obama advertising good health among children to avoid obesity and other health issues that are considered a growing problem in the United States. Her campaign is called “let’s Move” and it promotes good health and advices parents to keep their children physically active and to make better food choices. It is a promotional campaign to educate children and parents regarding health issues and not necessarily a commercial ad promoting products.

Although we are bombarded by advertisements at all times, we are actually not exempt from them. Marketing companies are becoming a growing business industry and they create new jobs by hiring people to create advertisements good enough to convince a target population. It is also an open competition to the world as to whom and what attracts minorities in the community. Technology moves significantly making advertisements available to all kind of people everywhere we can possibly think of, therefore, the creation of new products and services available becomes part of our daily routine and its unavoidable because it’s simply everywhere. We, as consumers contribute to the growing demand of new choices. We might not like to watch or read any advertisement, but there is always something that catches our attention and it could be either a song or a phrase that we like or just a celebrity, but dislike the product itself and it might be absurd to think that advertisements are negative and that it affects somehow your mental health. We make our decisions and we allow commercial advertisements to grow at a fast pace allowing them to become part of our daily life by making choices.