Mark Robbins asked:




Gone are the days of drab, underpowered gaming consoles with limited features. The Microsoft Xbox 360 is here! It doesn’t matter if you are a serious gamer or a mere hobbyist, the Xbox 360 that Microsoft launched in November 2005 is suitable for all players. It claims to have taken into consideration all the facets of ultimate gaming experience with this much-improved version of the original Microsoft Xbox that came out in November 2001.

Check your budget. Depending on what you can afford, you may start with the very basic core system composed of the light console, the wired controller and the composite AV cable; and when your budget allows you to purchase other peripherals one by one for the enhancement of your total gaming experience, maybe you’d want to change your wired controller with the wireless model, or maybe you’d want to add in the Xbox Live headset for amplification of sound effects to a mind-boggling level far above what your normal TV speakers could provide.

On the other hand, if you are one of those to whom “money is no object,” you may just go ahead and buy the entire Microsoft Xbox 360 system, where everything is all in (i.e., the console with premium chrome finish, a wireless controller, the Xbox Live headset, component hard drive-AV cable, the Ethernet cable that allows you to connect with the other players, and the hard drive that contains an array of original Xbox games and allows you to download even more games. Since the Xbox 360 allows up to four wireless controllers operating on one console, it lets you play with three other players simultaneously for that added fun and challenge in live competition.

The Microsoft Xbox 360 gives you total digital entertainment. You may amplify and enhance your music and movies to a soothingly soft or to a ripping loud volume. Connect to the Internet and instantly stream your music, digital home movies, photographs and graphics or any other files stored in your hard disk, memory and other digital media that are Microsoft Windows XP-based PC that you want to share with others.

When attached to your TV, the Microsoft Xbox 360 takes advantage of the high-definition TV resolution in its full color and size that makes the game movie-like. Its anti-aliasing capability renders the animation flawlessly smooth and non-jerky, and the characters seem as though they are jumping out of the wide screen! When you are connected to the Internet via the Ethernet card, you have the Xbox Live headset, a facility that allows you to voice-chat with other players, thus combining active gaming with socialization.

There are games that are rated “must-have” because they are simply sensational with the Microsoft Xbox 360. These include “Dead or Alive 4,” “Call of Duty 2″ for the best WWII shooter, “King Kong” for great effects and “Need for Speed Most Wanted” for racing fans. For some odd reasons, some games that run with excellent audio and video effects using the first version of Xbox don’t run as well in the Xbox 360; these include “Madden NFL 06,” “NBA Live 06.” This must be given immediate attention by the Microsoft people because it is a source of great disappointment for hardcore gamers and, in some cases, could be a deal-breaker.

Pressure is on for movie makers and game programmers/manufacturers to properly and visibly indicate the appropriate rating of their products on the packaging to provide guidance for buyers. In this regard, it is an added attraction to parents that the Microsoft Xbox 360 has settings that allow them to control how it is used by their children. The box has Family Settings which enable parents to shield their children from unsavory or unwholesome contacts. Family Settings perform two functions on the Xbox 360 console-to allow or restrict access to offline games and/or DVD movies, and access to online contact and content via the Xbox Live environment.

ESRB is the regulating body that takes care of rating the propriety or impropriety of a game or movie based on age. ESRB’s restrictions on games are EC (early childhood) for children below 6 years old, containing no inappropriate materials at all; E (everyone) for children younger than 13, and these have minimal violence and comic mischief but are substantial for character building. Some Xbox 360 games with an E rating include Ridge Racer 6 and NBA 2K6.

The rest of the ESRB ratings are: T (teen), which may also contain minimal violence, mild-to-strong language and/or suggestive themes; M (mature 17+) containing mature sexual themes or more intense violence and language; AO (adults only, for players aged 18+), which may include more graphic sexual themes and/or violence; and RP (rating pending) for games that have not been officially released yet.

With the safeguard placed by the Family Settings of the Microsoft Xbox 360 console, the parent feels safe buying the system for their kids. So, whatever the gaming preference of the child – or the parent!—Microsoft Xbox 360 promises to satisfy them.



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Gditeam asked:




Buying a gaming console can be a lot of fun. This is especially true in today’s day and age since there is so much competition out there. With all of this competition there are always new features being brought to the forefront. And of course competition breeds success time and time again; the gaming industry is no exception to this rule. But if you want to buy a gaming console you are going to have to know what you are doing. The fact of the matter is that sometimes you have to get quite creative.

For instance, if you want to buy a ps3 you may have to change your way of thinking due to the high demand that is surrounding these units. The same goes for people who want to but a Wii from Nintendo. There used to be a time when demand was not so fierce in the gaming world, but this is no longer the case. For this reason, the following three ideas should be considered if you are in the market for a gaming console.

1. The most obvious place to buy a ps3, Wii, or any other gaming console is at a retail or electronics store. These outlets are the first to get the new consoles in stock, and in turn the easiest way to buy. The only problem with this option is that you cannot always get what you need from a store like this because of all the competition. And in the case of highly anticipated items such as the ps3 and Wii the number of people standing in line opening day will be quite large.

2. When the store does not work out for you, the next step that you should take is going online. While you are on the internet, be sure to search auction websites such as eBay. There are many people who buy gaming consoles in bulk (as many as they can get from the store), and then resell them online for a large profit. But the problem with this is that for them to make a profit you have to spend more money. This means that a ps3 that retails for $599 in the store may cost you more than $1,000 online! Is this something that you are willing to put up with? Or would you be better off waiting a few months until the demand dies down?

3. You can also search to buy gaming consoles in the classified section of your local newspaper. Even though you may not see a lot of units for sale, when the demand is high there will be people using this way of advertising. In order to get the best selection you will want to search in big city, daily newspapers.

If you want to buy a ps3 of Wii you will want to look into the three areas listed above. You may find out that you do not have to look further than your local store; or maybe not. As long as you exercise all of your options you should be able to find the gaming console you are looking for if you are willing to open your wallet.



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Malik Tariq Mahmood asked:




IMPACTS OF FOOD PRODUCT ADVERTISEMENTS OF PAKISTAN TELEVISION ON THE EATING HABITS OF CHILDREN

By MALIK TARIQ MAHMOOD

INTRODUCTION

Television belongs to the family of audio-visual communication medium. It is able to transmit sounds and images carrying message of a varied nature and for a variety of purpose. It has strong influence on people, in the culture and on other media. It is a widely used telecommunication system for broadcasting and receiving moving pictures and sound over a distance from all around the world. The term may also be used to refer specifically to a television set, programming or television transmission. Television commercials have become one of the most effective, most persuasive, and most popular methods of selling products of many sorts.

Within Pakistani culture we need to look deeper at the role of television and advertisements, to assess why they hold such a valuable position. Pakistan Television is a permanent fixture in children’s lives. The television set is as familiar to children as the faces of family members. Television set is always there, to entertain and to give company to children, especially when no one else in the mood to play, chat or interact with them. They are increasingly being exposed to different cultures, absorbing new ideas and impressions about other cultures.

Many television advertisements are catchy jingles or catch-phrases that generate sustained appeal, which may remain in the minds of television viewers long after the span of the advertising campaign. Nowadays advertising spread in our entire culture influences in society and our fundamental patterns of life. Advertising can be seen as one of the factors that contribute to shape people’s life, their basic values, and attitudes. But actual picture is different, according to Edger “Advertising is the art of making whole lies out of half truth.’1

Advertising has been watched in many ways: on Television, Newspapers, Billboards, Walls, Video, Internet and in many other forms. The protection of children from harm is linked directly to the issue of what affects observed from viewing television. The criticisms regarding watching television of children are linked to what they watch and for how long. Television advertising on food causes parental concern; parents try to control the television viewing of their children. Parental control of television viewing is expected to lower the number of hours of a child, which leaves impacts on their health.1

Today’s children are our future and unique in many ways from previous generation. But perhaps the most influencing factor on children’s health is television advertisements. There are general concerns of parents that television advertising has negative influence intended or unintended on children’s health.

Advertising is the structured and composed nonpersonal communication of information, usually paid for and usually persuasive in nature, about products by identified sponsors through various media. Advertising companies naturally communicate to large number of people about their products. There is nothing wrong with that, as it allows innovative ideas and concepts to be shared with others. However, as the years have progressed, the advertising methods and techniques have become advance, appealing, shaping, and even creating consumer’s needs where there has been none before, or turning luxuries into necessities.2

Mass advertising is no longer solely a means of introducing and distributing products, though it does that. It is a major mechanism in the ability of a relatively small number of giant corporations to hold disproportionate power over the economy. These corporations need newspapers, magazines, and broadcasting not just to sell their goods but to maintain their economic and political influence. The media are no longer neutral agents of the merchants but essential gears in the machinery of corporate gigantism, and increasingly they are not only needed but they are owned by the corporate giants.3

HISTORY OF ADVERTISING

Advertising is as old as civilization itself. The earliest beginnings of advertising, of course, are impossible to pinpoint, but there are several examples dating back thousands of years. In early days, signboards were placed above the doors of business establishments, and later, the town crier was an important advertising medium. Advertising was a well established part of the social environment of early civilizations. However, until the advent of mass selling in the 19th century, advertising played only a minor role in the conducting of business.4

After the invention of printing handbills, posters and then newspapers were used in increasing the quantities of advertise products. The development of railroad transportation enabled advertising industry to send its products to consumers who lived far from the manufacturing plants. Advertising assumed national character as business people used both newspapers and television to broaden their markets.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The advertising of food products of Pakistan Television impact on children’s health – eating disorder and they become obese and idle. The researcher interested to investigate these impacts of food-products advertising on the health of children.

OBJECTIVES

The study was conducted while keeping following objectives in mind:

i) To investigate children’s viewing habits of Pakistan Television

ii) To find out impacts of advertising on children’s health

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Although there are many beneficiaries of the study but the main beneficiaries are parents’, and personnel of advertising agencies. All parents want to provide good food to their children for healthy life. The results of the study will show the parents about impact of advertising on the health of their children and will help them to compensate these affects.

LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter has been divided into five parts. The first part describes some general things about Television advertising. The second part of the chapter is explaining theory of the advertising; how the advertisements affect the health of children and their lives. The third part explains the role of advertising in the society. The fourth part describes the health of children and their BMI. The fifth part of the study explores the negative impacts of ads on the health of children of 8 to 12 years.

Television is an important socialisation agent; it is present in children’s lives. Many advertisements broadcast on television are the creations of brilliant minds that want to persuade them to purchase the advertised products. Evidence are mounting that marketing to children is harmful. Nearly every aspect of children’s lives has been adversely affected by recent trends of advertising. Research links advertising to increased obesity and eating disorders in children because they are vulnerable to persuasive messages. According to Media scholar Gorge “Television has become unavoidable and unremitting factor in shaping that what we are and what we will become.”1

The children under the age of eight are unable to critically comprehend televised advertising messages and are prone to accept advertiser messages as truthful, accurate and unbiased. This can lead to unhealthy eating habits as evidenced by today’s youth. This is a critical concern because the most common products marketed to children are cereals, candies, sweets, sodas and snack foods. Advertising of such unhealthy food products to young children contributes to poor nutritional habits that may last a lifetime and be a variable in the current epidemic of obesity among kids.2

TELEVISION ADVERTISING

A consumer exposed hundreds commercial messages every day. They may appear in the form of billboards, newspapers, television commercials, etc. It is actually a very structured form of applied communication, employing both verbal and nonverbal elements that are composed to fill specific space and time formats determined by the sponsor. First and foremost, advertising is communication – a special kind of communication. Traditionally, advertising has been principally a one-way process, but with today’s new interactive technology, consumers can give feedback to advertising messages in real time using the same channels as the sender. Most advertising is intended to be persuasive – to win converts to a product, service, or idea. Some ads, such as legal announcements, are intended merely to inform, not to persuade. But they are still ads because they satisfy all the other requirements of the definition.3

The issues surrounding advertising directed to children are related to certain commercial campaigns primarily targeting children. Cold-drink advertisements are commonly shown during sports events and seen by millions of children, creating brand familiarity and motivating children for buying. They have been exposed television more than 15 edible ads during one hour programme and when they watch television 4 hours a day that means they saw one product’s ad around 20 times in one sitting. This is referred to graph no. 15 at page 34.

Advertising is persuasive and informational influence on the behaviour of the audience. Advertising is also a marketing tool and may be used in combination with other marketing tools, such as sales promotions, personal selling tactics, or publicity. But the actual picture is different, according to Edger “Advertising is the art of making whole lies out of half truth.”

The impact of television advertising is the greatest among children. The children like television commercials more than elder group, and they are also more deeply influenced by the catchy appearance of advertiser on their lives.

Advertising aimed at children is based on three concerns, first, it is believed that advertising promote superficially and values founded in material goods and consumption. Second, children are considered inexperienced consumers and easy prey for the sophisticated persuasion of advertisers. Third, advertising influences children demand for everything from toy to snack food.4

THE ROLE OF ADVERTISING

Advertising plays a vital role in the economic system of a country. It helps in selling ideas, goods, and services. Advertising both reflects and affects our lifestyles, and thus, plays a substantial social role. Advertising has become so close to our life, therefore, it serves multidimensional communication needs of society. Business firms, labour unions, government agencies, and political leaders are successfully employing advertising to inform and persuade people about their purpose.

Kapoor gives the four points of role of advertising: First, the country’s gross national product is greater and the standard of living is higher than they would otherwise be. Advertising creates jobs with a greater variety of products, and improves the quality of products and increase the economy of country. Second, argument of Kapoor is that advertising plays a major role in informing the consumer so that more intelligent choices are made in the marketplace. Third, rationale for advertising is that the firm’s cost of production per unit of output is lower because advertising increases demand for the firm’s output, so, advertising leads to more efficient use of resources in the economy. Finally, she says that advertising leaves the impacts either positive or negative on the general masses as well as on children. These impacts are changed according to the culture and environment.5

The above mentioned four points are whole picture of advertising that advertisers want to achieve. This same situation can be found in Pakistan. So, no one can able to explore all the aspects of advertising at this level because so many hurdles are there, such as lack of resources, shortage of time.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH

Every parent consciously and keenly observes the health of their children in all society. But parents are more attached with their children in Pakistani society because children are their future and they will help in finances when parents will retire. All parents like to provide good food to their children for their health and give proper education for making them a good citizen. Both parents are working because they want to improve their living standard; this is referred to graph no. 4. Some times parents over looks children’s activities i.e. what and when they eat? When and how they watch television? Why they become obese and idle? 6

Actually the researcher will explore the answer of all these questions because these questions are mainly related with the study.

Health experts have linked excessive watching television to obesity – a significant health problem today. While watching television, children are inactive to buy such products. They are also bombarded with advertising messages that encourage them to buy and eat unhealthy foods such as potato chips, burgers, pastries etc. and empty-calorie soft drinks that often become preferred snack foods. Indirectly advertising leave too much affect on children’s health. Even if children are watching 4 hours of quality educational programs on television in a day, that means they are not exercising, reading, socializing, or spending time outside. But some studies have shown that decreasing the amount of television watching by children led to less weight gain and lower body mass index increase, and make them idle that is not better for their health.7

BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to estimate healthy weight of average people. A BMI of 20 to 24 is desirable for most adults. A person with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and a person with a BMI of 30 or above is considered obese. Obesity is associated with an increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases.

The body mass index (BMI) is commonly used to determine desirable body weights. BMI is a measure of an adult’s weight in relation to height, and it is calculated metrically as weight divided by height squared (kg/m2).

Body mass index only provides a rough estimate of desirable weight; however, physicians recognize that many other factors besides height affect weight. Weight alone may not be an indicator of fat, as in the case of a bodybuilder who may have a high BMI because of a high percentage of muscle tissue, which weighs more than fat. Likewise, a person with a sedentary lifestyle may be within a desirable weight range but have excess fat tissue. However, the higher BMI is greater the risk for developing serious medical conditions.

BMI Chart for Boys

Body Mass Index (BMI) percentiles for boys, from two to twenty years, so that you can track your child’s growth curve and see if they are underweight, overweight or just right.

BMI Chart for Girls

Body Mass Index (BMI) percentiles for girls, from two to twenty years, so that you can track your child’s growth curve and see if they are underweight, overweight or just right.

What is Fat?

Fats, or lipids, are nutrients in food that children’s body uses to build nerve tissue (like the brain) and hormones. The body also uses fat as fuel. If fats that children have eaten are not burned as energy or used as building blocks, they are stored by the body in fat cells. This is body’s way of thinking ahead: By saving fat for future use, the body plans for times when food might be scarce.

Fat gives food flavour and texture, but it’s also high in calories, and excess amounts of fatty foods as with excess amounts of any food can cause many health risks. For children and adolescents, desserts and snacks including potato chips, chocolate, cakes, doughnuts, pastries, and cookies are a significant source of fat. Children also get fat from whole milk products and high-fat meats, such as fried and spicy meat. Of course, fast-food and take-out meals tend to have more fat than home cooking; and in restaurants, fried dishes are the highest in fat content. Fat also often “hides” in foods in the form of creamy, cheesy, or buttery sauces or dressings.

Still, though, fat is an important part of a healthy diet when the children eat the right kinds of fats especially those from certain kinds of fish in recommended amounts. Like carbohydrates in recent years, fats have been wrongly accused of being “bad”. Although some definitely better than others, certain kinds of fat are actually good for teenager and children an important part of a healthy diet.

Obesity increases the risk of developing disease. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, almost 70 percent of heart disease cases in the United States are linked to excess body fat, and obese people are more than twice as likely to develop hypertension. The risk of medical complications, particularly heart disease, increases when body fat is distributed around the waist, especially in the abdomen. This type of upper body fat distribution is more common in men than in women.8

CAUSES OF OBESITY

A calorie is the unit used to measure the energy value of food and the energy used by the body to maintain normal functions. When the calories from food intake equal the calories of energy the body uses, weight remains constant. But when a person consumes more calories than the body needs, the body stores those additional calories as fat, causing subsequent weight gain.

Obesity, medical condition characterized by storage of excess body fat. The human body naturally stores fat tissue under the skin and around organs and joints. Fat is critical for good health because it is a source of energy when the body lacks the energy necessary to sustain life processes, and it provides insulation and protection for internal organs. But the accumulation of too much fat in the body is associated with a variety of health problems. Studies show that individuals who are overweight or obese run a greater risk of developing diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and some forms of cancer.9

The causes of obesity are complex and include some factors. Basically, obesity occurs when a person eats more calories than the body burns up. The children have an 80 percent chance of being obese if their parents are obese. Obesity in childhood and adolescence can be related to:

i) Poor eating habits

ii) Overeating habits

iii) Unnecessary use of Cold drinks

iv) Eating Non-nutrition food

v) Eating out-side the home

The percentage of overweight children is growing at an alarming rate. On the whole, children were spending less time exercising and more time in front of the TV and computer. And today’s busy families have fewer free moments to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals, day in and day out. From fast food to electronics, quick and easy seems to be the mindset of many people, young and old, in the new millennium.

IMPACTS OF ADVERTISING

Modern life style has frozen the family size in the Pakistani society. Nuclear family has taken place of the joint family. Lifestyle trends in urban Pakistan (rising incomes, longer working hours, more working mothers, and time-poor/cash-rich parents) tend to support their families, which lead the child to watching television and increased consumption of unnecessary food. Furthermore, the advertising industry makes junk food seem irresistible.

Children who watch a lot of television have difficulty in concentrating at school because they are used to being given all the answers instead of being asked to think about questions. If children watch less television, their imagination will grow.

Unfortunately, children are not given proper guidance as to what they should do. The media is not playing its proper role in the promotion of children’s rights and the difficulties they have to face in the society. Even the authorities of Pakistan Television ignored this side and they can not design programs according to children’s requirements.

IMPACTS ON CHILDREN’S HEALTH

James suggests that “Childhood obesity arises from foods that are high in fat and low in fibre. When children eat this food, the insulin not only increases the effects of the pleasure-chemical dopamine (making the child want to eat more of the same food) but also reduces the effects of the hormone leptons, making the child want to eat more and be less active”.10

Television also has negative impacts, it creates eye problems. It stops the children from going out and playing with friends. Its advertising makes them buy things even if they do not need. It can make them tired and unable to focus on their lessons.

LEAVE UNHEALTHY HABITS

Gerbner said that the many media experts in Western countries who continue to be deeply anxious about the commercial context of television programming. They argue that television advertising leave impacts on society, particularly on the health of children, and television advertising is not going on air without reason.11

The impact of television on children has received much attention. Research suggests that children see television advertising as just another form of programming and react uncritically to its messages, which makes them especially vulnerable to advertising. There is also concern about the way in which children respond to advertising. Research indicates that many children are unduly influenced by this standard of health, become dissatisfied with their own bodies, and may develop eating disorders in pursuit of a thin figure. Advertising affect daily life and eating habits etc. The children as well as the teenager get influenced, consciously or unconsciously by advertisements of Pakistan television.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Every scientific discipline employs a particular methodology in conducting of research. This includes some assumptions and values which serve as a rationale (underlying reasons) for effort of research and standards criteria for the whole process. The basic purpose of this research study was investigating the negative impacts of eating habits/disorder on the health of children. For this purpose systematic random sampling method was used. The sample size was limited to 30 children aged between 8 – 12 years and their parents.

RESEARCH DESIGN

This study was survey research about “Impacts of food product advertisements of Pakistan Television on eating habits of Children” in Satellite Town (B-Block) Rawalpindi city. The researcher used questionnaire for parents and interviews of the children as instrument to gather the data.

POPULATION

In this research study children of age 8 – 12, and their parents in Rawalpindi city were the population of the study.

SAMPLING TECHNIQUE AND SAMPLE

Random and convenience sampling techniques were applied in this research for selecting the sample. The sampling frame was 30 children aged 8 – 12, and their parents from Satellite Town (B-Block) Rawalpindi city.

DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES

There are three demographic variables in this study:

i) Gender

ii) Age

iii) Qualification

RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

In order to realise the objective, a survey study was carried out. The data was collected mainly from the primary sources. A questionnaire was designed for parents. Children’s questionnaire was also used for structured interview.

DATA COLLECTION

Data was collected through questionnaire and interview. Questionnaire were distributed among the parents and administered by the researcher personally. Structured Interview was conducted to all children respondents of sample.

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

In this chapter the researcher analyzed the data of impacts of advertisements on the health of children. The data on the “Impacts of Food Product Advertisements of PTV on the Health of Children were collected through a questionnaire which was especially designed for this study. Primarily, cross-tabulation statistical procedure was applied to investigate relationship between demographic variables i.e. (gender, age, and qualification, and presented in graphs alongwith data tables with interpretation.

As evident form the graph 1, the majority of the male respondents (34% fell in the age category of 30 to 45 as well as female respondents in the same groups made 23%. The results showed that majority of the both groups respondents were youngster.

As evident from the graph 2, the majority of the male respondents (20%) was Doctor whereas 20% were running their business, 10% female respondents were Govt. employee and 10% were housewives.

Graph 3, showed that 57% of male respondents and 30% female respondents were highly qualified. So, male respondents were higher qualified as compared to female.

The graph 4 documents the monthly income of the parents-respondents. As evident from the graph that male respondent belongs to well earning families as compare to female respondents.

As evident from the graph 5 this shows the composition of families of the respondents, the majority of respondents having four members in their family.

As evident from the graph 6 all parent respondents watched PTV regularly.

As evident from the graph 7 that majority (13%) of male-respondents watched PTV in evening and late night as compare to female respondents who liked to watch Pakistan Television in morning and afternoon.

Graph 8 showed that majority of parent watches Pakistan Television for 2 to 3 hours daily.

Graph 9 reflects that all children respondents were regular viewers of Pakistan Television.

The results of the graph 10 shows that children like to watch television in evening mostly but some respondents like to watch in afternoon as well.

As evident from the graph 11, the majority (30%) of children respondents watches PTV for more than four hours daily. According to the data collected children of 8-12 years old were heavy viewers of PTV. Actually that is the problem area because watching television for long time i.e. more than five hours creates adverse effects on the health, especially children of 8-12 years old.

The results of the graph 12 shows that majority (33%) of children respondents like to watch children shows/quiz programmes as guided by their parents.

Graph 13 reflects that parents allow their children to watch PTV for the purpose of getting updated information and for entertainment as well.

Graph 14 is evident that male respondents felt tiredness when they watch PTV for more than 3 to 4 hours but female respondents got bored that means female liked to watch more than four hours.

As evident from the graph 15 that majority of respondents (40%) watched ads around 15-20 and 20% saw more than 25 ads in an hour. Its means that during one hour program a lot of food-products were advertised on PTV which instigated children to buy these products on their own or ask their parents to buy the same for them.

As evident from the graph 16 that majority of both parent and children respondents usually liked to buy cold-drinks but some children responded that they also liked to buy chips type products as well. These products increase fats on the body especially in children because the age 8-12 years is the grooming age and they need proper and nutritionist diet for their health.

As evident from the graph 17 parent respondents, responded that children attitude was changed if they did not buy or allow them to buy such edibles. They behave aggressively with their elders or parents.

The results of the graph 18 show the impacts of Pakistan Television’s ads on children. Parents responded that their children tried to imitate when they saw ads, but some parents responded that they felt some aggressiveness during/after watching ads because advertiser showed super human actions.

As results of the graph 19 shows that parents always buy food products on their children’s demand because they were well earned (refer to graph no. 4). They fulfilled all demands of their children whatever they demanded for eating. This eating habit created eating-disorder in the children of 8-12 years old.

As evident from the graph 20 that parents felt that PTV’s ads effected their children’s diet because their children having enough money to buy belong to upper class families (refer to graph no.4).

As evident of graph 21 that parents responded that these ads increased eating disorder and decreased health of their children.

FINDINGS

The purpose of this research was to find out Impacts of Food Product Advertisements of Pakistan Television on the Eating Habits of Children. The major variables those are likely to have a significant impact of Pakistan Television ads on children’s health.

In Pakistan almost all the children have been watching television regularly. The information about children’s spending time on viewing television was to estimate their exposure to the variety of advertisements. Variation of advertising’s influence has been observed differently in one child to another, and from day to day for the same child. Nevertheless, some general influence of advertising on children were observed, which presented in chapter 4 at graph 9.

According to the graph 11; all the children have been watching television daily. 23% children saw television for up to 3 hours and 30% were watched television up to 4 hours a day. Thus, they were found heavy and regular viewers. Most of the children spend quite a lot of time sitting in front of television screen watching various programmes.

Thus, children of 8 to 10 years old were found to be more attracted towards television ads and they watched them with great interest but with the increasement in the age, children’s preferences shifted towards television programmes.

Most of the children in all age groups watched the television ads with great. That means many audio-visual techniques in television advertising were simply aimed at gaining, and holding children’s attention, which impressed them to purchase various products. Thus, television advertisements could really make a tremendous impact on children. The researcher found out the following aspects:

1) Children of 8-12 years old and their parents were watched Pakistan Television TV regularly. Most of the male parent liked to watch at late night but female parent liked to watch at morning and evening and their children liked to watch at evening. The parents’ watching span was 2-3 hours but their children’s watching span was 4-5 hours daily.

2) Children liked to watch children shows/quiz programmes but their parents allowed them to watch of PTV for getting information and entertainment as well.

3) Male respondents felt tiredness when they watched PTV for more than 3 to 4 hours but female respondents got bored that means female liked to watch more than four hours.

4) Majority of parents and children usually liked to buy cold-drinks but some children also liked to buy chips type products as well. The researcher find out that these products increase fats on the body especially in children because the age 8-12 years is the grooming age and they need proper and nutritionist diet for their health.

5) Children’s attitude was changed if they did not buy or allow them to buy such edibles. They behaved aggressively with their elders or parents.

6) The children tried to imitate when they saw ads, but some parents responded that they felt some aggressiveness during/after watching ads because advertiser showed super human actions.

7) Parents always bought readymade food products on their children’s demand because they were well earned (refer to graph no. 4). They fulfilled all demands of their children whatever they demanded for eating. This eating habit created eating-disorder in the children of 8-12 years old.

8) Ads of PTV effected their children’s diet because their children having enough money to buy such edible belong to upper class families (refer to graph no.4).

9) Ads of Pakistan Television increased eating disorder and decreased health of children of 8-12 years old.

CONCLUSION

Mostly children are addicted to viewing TV their average of viewing is more then 60% that means they are watching TV more then five hours per day, they are heavy viewers. After/during watching TV’s ads most of the children demanding drinks i.e. coca-cola, des, Pepsi these drinks develops unhealthy habits of children. Some children ages of 10-12 are trying to imitate the same action which they seen during that ads, which are dangerous for their lives.

The data of this research study proves that fats increased in the body of people especially in children, if they regularly drink these products. Increases fat in the body is not good sign because fat creates obesity and hear-diseases. Children are over weight according to their age and height because they are regularly use these cold drinks and eating fried meats outside the home with their parents or elders.

Children having less weight according to their BMI it’s due to their eating disorder. They think that if we eat and drink more than other we have good muscles but their stomachs are not digesting the such food properly, so eating disorder increased and after a couple of months their weight is decreasing. That is only for their eating disorder. They seen that the performer of powder-milk ads is healthier because s/he drink that milk after that they trying to buy and drink that power-milk but they do not know the actual picture.

RECOMMENDATIONS

After concluding the results of the data the researcher give the following recommendations:

i) Policymakers need to take steps to better protect children from exposure to advertising because of the inherent unfairness of advertising to audiences who lack the capability to evaluate wrong information in television advertising.

ii) Parents should attempt to restrict their children’s TV time.

iii) Teachers and parents can help children to decide what they should watch on TV.

iv) Adults should look out for things their children do not understand on TV.

v) Parents should also keep an eye on any other negative effects of watching Pakistan Television on children’s health, eating-disorder and their eye sight problems.

vi) Children should be encouraged both in their schools and at home to discuss television advertising.

vii) Parents/Teachers should help children to look for programmes which relevant for their health and has some positive impacts on their health of Pakistan Television.

Works Cited

Edger A. Shoaff. http://thinkexist.com/quotation/advertising_is_the_art_making_whole_lies/204323.html

Evra, Judith Van: Television and Child Development. (Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum 1990).

Kunkel, D., Wilson, B., Donnerstein, E., & Blumenthal, E.: Measuring Television Violence: The importance of context. (Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media 1995).

Ibid.

Ibid

Namita Unnikrishnan, and Shailaja Pajpai: The Impact of Television Advertising on Children. (Sage Publications India Private Limited, India 1996)

Namita Unnikrishnan, and Shailaja Pajpai: The Impact of Television Advertising on Children. (Sage Publications India Private Limited, India 1996)

Neeru Kapoor: Television Advertising & Consumer Response. (Mittal Publication, New Delhi, India 2003)

http://weightloss.about.com/od/obesityhealth/a/blwhatsbmi.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity

Shanahan James and Michael Morgan: Television and its Viewers: Cultivation Theory and Research. (Cambridge University Press, UK1999)

Syed Abdul Siraj Advertising. Islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University) 6-8

Microsoft ® Encarta ® Reference Library 2005. © 1993-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

William F. Arens. Contemporary Advertising (10th Edition). (McGraw-Hill Irwin, United States 2006)



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Lucy Bartlett asked:




Media storage devices are capable of preserving data, images, audio and video files of large sizes in a comparatively small area. The evolution of the media storage devices right from the 64 KB floppy disk with its huge size (5 ¾ inches) to the present day pen drives having a capacity 80GB has taken place within this decade.

Since many of the media storage devices which were very popular a few years ago have now become totally obsolete, we will start from the hard disk and zip drive which set a trend in removable media storage device.

Hard disk is a fixed media storage devices lacking portability. When you buy a personal computer you decide what should be the capacity of the hard disk which is fixed inside the personal computer. The storage capacity of the hard disk is gradually increasing as the days goes by – earlier, a decade ago, 2 GB hard disk was the largest storage capacity possible. Now there are hard disks available with a capacity to store 1 TB (Tetra Byte – equivalent to 1024 GB).

Zip drive or disk is one the most popular portable media storage device. Even though the highest capacity available is around 600 MB, its portability made it very popular. It can be attached to any personal computer without much of a hassle.

Writeable and rewriteable compact disks (what a mouthful) or popularly known as CDR and CDRW media storage devices have a capacity to store around 800 MB of data, audio, or video files. Since most of the personal computers are configured to have a CD ROM Drive, it is very easy to transfer or read the files from any personal computer. The CDRW media can be reused again and again after deleting the files written earlier.

The wonder of wonders among the media storage device is the Pen Drive. It is also known as a USB Drive. The pen drive can be connected very easily to the Universal Serial Bus Port (USB port) of the personal computer and once connected; it becomes another external drive of the system.

The latest Pen Drive has the capacity to store around 80 GB of information. Some of the fancier Pen drives are available with a built in MP3 player and a voice recorder too. Conversations can be recorded in WAV format and later on can be transcribed to text using the voice recognition software.

Files can be written, deleted, transferred and rewritten in Pen Drives very easily. Among all the media storage devices, a Pen Drive is the most compact, easy to use and functionally versatile device.

Find more info at http://www.mediastorageresource.info



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Hyun Kim asked:




In simple terms Video cables are cables which used for transmitting video signal from one source to other. Sometime these are called Coaxial cables because most of the video cables available today are Coaxial cables.

Reasons for using different Video Cables

Different video cables are used for different purpose depending upon their applications. Some of the advantages of using these cables are:

1. Improving contrast ratio

2. Running cables longer

3. Getting less video distortion

4. Creating improved colors

Types of Video Cables

Types of video cables are based on its application. Some of most popular types or video cables are:

1. DVI Video Cables

2. Composite Video Cables

3. RGBHV Video Cables

4. Component Video Cables

5. S-Video Cables

6. Portable Projectors Video Cables

7. VGA Video Cables

DVI Video Cables

DVI or digital video interface cables are slightly larger then standard VGA cables. Ideally DVI cables creates digital link between the source of video and display device.

Composite Video Cables

The most commonly used video cables are composite video cables. These cables frequently used in Video Cassette Recorder and stereo devices. These cables are color-coded namely red, white and yellow where red is for right channel audio; white is for left channel audio and yellow for video signal. Only one cable is used for transmitting complete video signal. These are most commonly used cables type inspite of their low quality video/audio signals. The most common uses of these cables are television, Camcorder, VD player, and VCR’s.

RGBHV Video Cables

RGBHV Video Cables are similar to composite video cable but difference is in the fact that video signal in RGBHV cables are divided into five. These RGBHV cables divide the color of video signal into red, green and blue. Now days most of the high end monitors, HDTV used RGBHV connection to create the high definition video quality.

Component Video Cables

In Component video cables complete video signals are divided into three. This way it provides a better image quality then compare to composite cable or S-video cable. Jacks tips of component cables are Green, Red and Blue. Most of today’s DVD players, HD television sets tuners uses component cable connections.

S-Video Cables

These S- video cables are also know as SVHS cables and have variety of uses including latest television sets, satellite set top box, camcorder and SVHS VCR’s etc. S-video cables divide video signals into two components like luminance and chrominance. This is the main difference between S-video cables and composite video cables.

Portable Projectors Video Cables

As their name suggests portable projector video cable needs small room for connection. Due to this space scarcity most of the portable projector cables comes with 15 pin VGA. The projector is designed to sense the video signal it is receiving and process them accordingly. These portable projector video cables uses three out of 15 pins out connection designed for component video signal.

VGA Video Cables

These VGA cables are normal monitor cables and have three rows of fifteen pins. VGA cables are primarily used for PC to projector or PC to computer monitor connections.



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Jim Grayson asked:




At present the Windows Laptop and the MacIntosh Powerbook are the most preferred plaptops for people around the world. A Windows laptop has the Windows operating system installed on it while the MacIntosh Powerbook manufactured by Apple Inc. uses its own operating system. The Windows operating system is the most widely used operating system in the world. The Linux operating system, which is a open source operating system, is widely gaining popularity as it can be freely distributed. In addition, the Linux operating system is not the hacker’s paradise Windows is.

Let us compare the Windows Laptop and the MacIntosh Powerbook so that you can decide which one you would prefer.

The Windows Laptop comes in a variety of choices ranging from high-end, mid-range and ultralight laptops. A high-end laptop is preferred by those people who would like to replace their desktop machines. These machines usually have a large screen, fast processor and the maximum storage capacity. However laptops in this category weigh about 7 to 8 pounds and also include internal media devices such as CD-ROM and diskette drives. There may be a few USB ports so that you can attach external devices such as printers and digital cameras as well. A mid-range model is suitable for those consumers who would not like to shell out a fortune for their laptop. A mid-range model weighs a few pounds less than a high-range model and has a smaller screen. A mid-range model may be a little slower than a high-range model in terms of processor speeds and the options of internal media are more limited than in the high-range model. Ultralight models have the smallest display of all three and also the processor speeds are the slowest. The expansion capabilities and internal media are limited and the media devices are usually on the external side. The main advantages of ultralight models is they are easier to carry around because of their light weight and battery life is longer.

The MacIntosh or Mac are a line of laptops manufactured by Apple Inc. MacIntosh systems are usually targeted towards the home, education and the highly professional services market. The MacIntosh Powerbook is the first MacIntosh laptop powered by the Intel Core Duo processor. It has a 17 inch wide screen, but also is available in a 15 inch wide screen. The MacIntosh Powerbook is available in three configurations, the 15.4-inch model at 2.0 GHz (US$1999) and 2.16 GHz ($2499) and a 17-inch model at 2.16 GHz $2799). All three models come with the Intel Core Duo Processor and an 80GB or a 100GB or a 120 GB hard drive. USB ports a FireWire 400 port, a ExpressCard/34 expansion slot, DVI and VGA connectivity (VGA via included adaptor), optical S-P/DIF and analog sound output and inputs, gigabit Ethernet are also added in all the three configurations.

The machines run on the Mac OS 10.4 operating system which is the system developed by Apple Inc. The Powerbook also has a magnetic power connector known as Magsafe and it can detach easily when yanked to prevent the laptop from being pulled off the surface. The keyboard is backlit so that the keys are easily visible and there is also a scrolling trackpad that comes standard across the line. Extra accessories include an external USB modem as there is no internal modem available now and a TV output adaptor.

We have mentioned the basic features of the Windows Laptop and MacIntosh Powerbook. Both types of laptops are good in their own way. Weigh your needs and choose wisely.



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himfrxls asked:




Modern connectors typically use a “physical contact” polish on the fiber and ferrule end. This is a slightly curved surface, so that when fibers are mated only the fiber cores touch, not the surrounding ferrules. Some manufacturers have several grades of polish quality, for example a regular FC connector may be designated “FC/PC” (for physical contact), while “FC/SPC” and “FC/UPC” may denote “super” and “ultra” polish qualities, respectively. Higher grades of polish give less insertion loss and lower back reflection.

Many connectors are available with the fiber endface polished at an angle to prevent light that reflects from the interface from traveling back up the fiber. Because of the angle, the reflected light does not stay in the fiber core but instead leaks out into the cladding. Angle-polished connectors should only be mated to other angle-polished connectors. Mating to a non-angle polished connector causes very high insertion loss. Generally angle-polished connectors have higher insertion loss than good quality straight physical contact ones. “Ultra” quality connectors may achieve comparable back reflection to an angled connector when connected, but an angled connection maintains low back reflection even when the output end of the fiber is disconnected.

Angle-polished connections are distinguished visibly by the use of a green strain relief boot, or a green connector body. The parts are typically identified by adding “/APC” (angled physical contact) to the name. For example, an angled FC connector may be designated FC/APC, or merely FCA. Non-angled versions may be denoted FC/PC or with specialized designations such as FC/UPC or FCU to denote an “ultra” quality polish on the fiber endface.

SMA 906 features a “step” in the ferrule, while SMA 905 uses a straight ferrule. SMA 905 is also available as a keyed connector, used e.g. for special spectrometer applications.

E-2000 and F-3000 are registered trademarks of Diamond SA, Switzerland. ST is a registered trademark of AT&T/Lucent Technologies.

Mnemonics

LC connectors are sometimes called “Little Connectors”.

MT-RJ connectors look like a miniature 8P8C connector commonly (but erroneously) referred to as RJ-45.

ST connectors have a mnemonic of “Stab and Twist”, referring to how it is inserted (the cable is pushed into the receiver, and the outer barrel is twisted to lock it into place). Also they are known as “Square Top” due to the flat end face.

SC connectors have a mnemonic of “Square Connector”, and some people believe that to be the correct name. This refers to the fact the connectors themselves are square. Another term often used for SC connectors is “Stick and Click”.

FCA are referred to as “Fiber Connector Angled”.

Analysis

FC connectors’ floating ferrule provides good mechanical isolation. FC connectors need to be mated more carefully than the push-pull types due to the need to align the key, and due to the risk of scratching the fiber endface while inserting the ferrule into the jack. FC connectors have… To get More information , you can visit some products about carbon fiber road bike, 24 bicycle



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David Little asked:




When I think about digital signage, I’m sometimes reminded of the perpetually hungry, ever-growing plant from the musical “Little Shop of Horrors.” You might remember that unusual flora. It’s the talking, singing Venus Flytrap on steroids that constantly demands “Feed Me!” I can’t help but think of that giant man-eating plant, because its appetite for flesh was as large and insatiable as that of digital signage for content.

Content is the currency of digital signage. Without it, digital signage would be about as appealing as looking at a dimly lit mirror. So, it’s imperative that digital signage users source, create and schedule enough of the right kinds of content to attract and hold the interest of their audiences till they’ve delivered their intended message.

Not an easy task under normal conditions, the job is even harder when high definition is added to the equation. The appeal of HD content on a digital sign is straightforward. High definition television’s ability to reproduce enough picture detail to convey a previously unattainable sense of realism is powerful. Sports fans who watch their favorite teams in HD never want to go back to their ordinary TVs, and nature buffs who tune into Discovery HD Theater can feel overwhelmed at times by the Mother Nature’s majesty.

Transplant that HD realism to a retail digital signage network, for example, where marketers want to create a specific mood or portray their merchandise in the best possible light. Under those circumstances, understanding the allure of high definition to digital signage marketers is as clear as an HD image itself.

However, the issue of sourcing HD content –particularly video originated in high definition- is significantly less clear. While it seems that every week another press announcement trumpets the arrival of a new TV channel or cable network in HD, the reality is the video production industry is still in a transition period between conventional television and HDTV. HD content can be shot for your digital signage needs, but there is a strong demand for HD production services and limited supply –so be prepared. On a positive note, those content creators who wish to shoot their own HD digital signage content have a broad selection of relatively affordable camcorders from which to choose.

Another source of HD content is your company’s film library. Remember continuous-tone film is a high-resolution –or at the risk of confusing things “high definition”- medium. Film can be transferred to HD video, and depending on your project, doing so might make sense.

Upconverting standard definition television to HDTV is an option as well. Depending on how you intend to use the content, this may be an entirely suitable solution for your HD content needs. While it may not be ideal, upconverting select content has significant advantages over shooting original HD material in terms of cost, speed and opportunity. Remember, many programs you’re ooing and ahhing at today on your HDTV may include sequences that have been upconverted from standard definition footage. That’s especially likely to be the case for historical file footage.

If you’re not looking for original HD content, you’re options are a little broader. Cable, satellite, and even Telco TV services make a variety of channels and networks available in high definition. It is even possible to turn a computer with a USB 2.0 port and a USB device that’s an ATSC tuner along with a loop antenna into an HD receiver/digital video recorder for terrestrial (over-the-air) broadcast HDTV content. While I specifically am not advocating unauthorized use of copyrighted material, the availability of the USB HDTV tuner and recorder does increase your flexibility and options.

Feeding digital signage’s insatiable appetite for content has never been easy, and HD makes the task even more troublesome. But you are not without options. Originating HD content, transferring existing film assets to HD and upconverting ordinary video content to high definition are starting points. With time, HD production capabilities will become so prevalent that creating high definition content will be taken for granted. Until that time point, creative digital signage content pros will assess their resources and employ the options that make sense today.



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Christy Belden asked:




With every major milestone in television history, change has come with both positive and negative effects. Ratings have often fluctuated until viewing audiences have adjusted their routines to accommodate the appearance of one program or the removal of another, the adjustment of a time slot, or the selection of a new program that suits changes in their tastes or lifestyles. Sometimes, these fluctuations subside and the network continues to see rating success despite changes; other times, ratings continue to decline as viewers take their attention elsewhere.

We can see this change occurring in broadcast late night television viewership right now. Following NBC’s major milestone of the departure of Jay Leno from The Tonight Show, late night television viewership has been in flux. Ratings have shown the American late night viewing audience looking elsewhere for entertainment during the 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. M-F time slot, with more and more turning away from the broadcast seven to ad-supported cable television for their late night entertainment needs. Ad-supported cable now has a great opportunity to offer advertisers lower prices, more targeted demographics, and more audience members turning to cable channels for late night programming than any time in recent years.

Divided Audiences

After 17 years of holding the top ratings position for his time slot nearly every weekday evening, Jay Leno left NBC’s The Tonight Show on May 29, 2009. His departure from the 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. M-F time slot and subsequent replacement by former Late Night host Conan O’Brien has had a negative impact on NBC’s ratings.

According to the Cable Advertising Bureau (CAB) analysis of Nielsen Galaxy Live data, The Tonight Show has suffered a 27.7% decrease in viewership versus its standing one-year previous, when Leno was still at the helm. And while other broadcast seven affiliates have seen spillover from disenchanted audiences (CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman and Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson have both shown growth since the NBC transition), the real impact is manifest in the all-time high share gap between broadcast and ad-supported cable, now at 44 points, or 6.4% more shares of late night viewership heading to cable than in 2008.

Rising Prices

As TV audiences are shifting their viewership patterns, television advertisers are also shifting their media spends, meaning high competition and high cost for national spots. According to MediaPost’s Media Daily News, CBS alone has seen double-digit price increases, while ratings continue to fall. This is good news for ad-supported cable advertising, which offers targeted niche viewership in growing markets and the ability to advertise locally for less than its broadcast competitors. In fact, analysis by the CAB shows that viewership on ad supported cable is up across all age ranges in the late night market, showing increases of 11% (A 18-49), 8% (A18-34), and 12% (A25-54).

Original Programs

Ad-supported cable has always relied on its wide selection of quality original programming to achieve advertising success. The shift away from broadcast in weekday late night viewership is no exception. Since the passing of The Tonight Show’s torch and the subsequent audience fragmentation, the CAB shows ad-supported cable originals experiencing double-digit growth. Original programming has seen a 19% increase in viewership across viewing households versus the same period in 2008; it has also seen an 18% increase in the 18-49 age group specifically, the same group with which The Tonight Show dropped 22% since O’Brien’s inception.

With every television milestone comes change; it is up to advertisers to adjust their strategy to target their audiences with the most effective vehicles possible. The numbers are clear: since the late night transition, cable television advertising offers the strongest audiences and the most accurate targeting for the most value. Insight Media Power Of Cable offers more in-depth, comparative descriptions of how cable measures up to your other media options and how cable can work for you. Learn more about the Power of Cable.



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Jay Huling asked:




WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOUR TV ADS?

(Why Aren’t They Working the Way You Want Them to?)

There’s an illness common to directors, videographers — and yes — even those who produce the true riches — scriptwriters.

It’s called creative-itis.

And it’s a peculiar condition that causes these folks to forget that a television commercial is a means to an end.

Creative-itis is the ego disorder of wanting people to notice a great TV ad, not a great product or service.

It usually strikes people who grew up wanting to be artists, movie stars, or Pulitzer Prize winners.  Of course, when that didn’t work out, they “had to settle for advertising.”

And waste their client’s money so they can be creative.

An advertising budget isn’t there to support a bunch of starving artists.  It’s supposed to support business.

You want a powerful sales tool that will generate inquiries, generate sales, generate store traffic — generate something.

Most TV ads fail because they fail to deliver a selling message.  They’re just money in some account executive’s pocket.

Frankly, selling on TV isn’t easy. 

But, c’mon, how can anybody expect to accomplish anything in only 30 seconds?  It takes longer than that to say good morning.

Let’s ask some questions about your TV ads.  Your answers will help you create great television that works.

But first . . .

WHAT IS THE DirectTV GENERATION? 

Who cares?  It’s a myth, an excuse; that’s all.

For some reason there is this thinking that “before MTV, before Pay-Per-View, before 500-channel cable, people had incredibly long attention spans.  But now it’s different.  Now we have to put on a show.  We’re all victims of remote control zapping.  Therefore, it is imperative that we dazzle and bamboozle.”

Really?

Let me tell you something: People have ALWAYS had incredibly SHORT attention spans.  Nothing has changed.

Besides, what do people zap to?  Why, something they’re interested in, of course.

And if they zap the commercial before yours, you don’t have a chance anyway.

So forget it.  Hollywood hopefuls want to produce their own commercials for their own selfish benefit.  But professionals are looking out for the client’s interests.  Everything you do should be to sell your product or service.

ARE YOU INVITING THE RIGHT VIEWERS? 

You can’t bore people into being interested in you.

But it’s okay if people are bored and zap your commercial — just as long as they are non-prospects.  Don’t spend your entire budget trying to entertain people who are not serious buyers. 

Sow the good seed on the good ground.  Go after just anybody and a lot of money will be spent on a commercial that will fail.

Remember, you’re interrupting your viewers.  They were watching something else and you butted in.

Your prospect is not a boob.  Respect their intelligence.  They know you are trying to sell them something. 

You want the right people watching for the right reason.  The right reason is they are the people who have the interest and power to buy what you are selling.

Here are three good ways to get the right people to pay attention:

• You can show your target viewers that you have information you know they are looking for

• You can show them you have a solution to a problem you know they face

• You can make them an offer you know they will find irresistible

Your viewer must find something worth watching in the first few seconds of the ad.

If not, you’re gone.

DOES YOUR AD HAVE SELLING POWER? 

You’re looking for big ideas, not gimmicks.  Make sure nothing is done to endanger your sales pitch.

If someone says the commercial must be entertaining to sell, watch out . . . or better yet, run!

Ask them why.  If the answer has anything to do with the MTV zappers, remind them of the goal:  The goal is not to get people to watch but to get people to buy.

Emphasize your biggest, strongest buying point.  Focus on the viewer’s wants and needs — not on your own.

Always keep in mind the viewer’s self-interest.

Viewers don’t care about you; they only want to know what’s in it for them.

Concentrate on a specific benefit and hammer it home.  You can back this up with secondary benefits to help sweeten the deal.  But remember:  If everything is emphasized, nothing is emphasized.

You can’t be all things to all people.  If you try, you’ll end up being nothing to everyone.

IS YOUR MESSAGE CLEAR? 

It should be obvious.  There are only four people in the world who really care about your commercial:  You, the client, the guy who wrote it, and the guy who wrote its mother.

No one is watching television to see your ad.  You have to attract viewers.  The best way to do that is to make it clear that you have something they want.

Just make sure the “something” is relevant to what you are selling.

Do you have an important announcement for men with thinning hair?  Make that announcement.  Do you have news for expectant mothers?  Tell them your news.  Have something to offer singles? 

Married couples?  Young adults or retirees?  High, low, or middle income families

You’re wanting a specific group of people to take a specific action.  But if your message is not clear, no one will do anything.

HAVE YOU ENGRAVED THE PRODUCT’S NAME AND MESSAGE INTO THE VIEWER’S MIND? 

Are they going to remember the commercial but forget you?

It’s okay to say the same thing repeatedly. If you stick to a single selling message, you’ll make it easy to remember.

Repeat your product name as often as you can without being obvious or obnoxious.  Get it in there at least once in the first ten seconds.  Preferably twice.

ARE YOU USING BOTH PICTURES AND SOUND? 

Yes, television is a visual medium, but that’s only half true.  Don’t forget the sound.  It’s equally important.

People don’t always “watch” television.  Do you?  No, sometimes you’re doing other things; the TV is just “on.”  It’s very common for television to be used like a radio, something to listen to.  Don’t undersell yourself or your client by underestimating the power of the audio.

Sell with pictures.  Sell with words.  Sell with sounds.  Sell, sell, sell.

ARE YOU FORGETTING THE OBVIOUS? 

You’ve hit the right audience with the right message.  Good.  Now, make it pay.  Let them know your phone number, locations, nearest dealers, and any other information that is appropriate.

Being part of the production of a commercial is fun and glamorous.  But watch out for the Spielberg, Neil Simon, and Elvis wannabes with their eyes on Hollywood.

Professionals won’t let little visions of fame blind them into forgetting the fundamentals of good advertising.  Attract the right viewers, show them the advantages you offer, make these advantages clear, show proof of what you say, and persuade them that now is the time to act.

You should — by all means — recommend and encourage trends toward TV ads that emphasize sensational entertainment over sensible selling.

Yes — yes! — you should recommend it to your competitors.



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