The Ad That Changed My Life

So on this Monday night as I settle in to watch the Monday night game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers, I can't help but remember just what it was that influenced me to join the program Creative Communications.

It all began in my senior year in high school when my teacher told me I should. That made me think about maybe doing it, but then Old Spice released a new campaign showing how male celebrities went from being somewhat nerds in high school to being the epitome of manliness.



Two notables from that campaign were LL Cool J and Brian Urlacher. It was Brian Urlacher who convinced me that a difference can be made through advertising because I actually began using the very product he was selling. It was powerful with its simplicity.

Of course, Brian Urlacher is a linebacker with the Chicago Bears, so tonight during the game, I owe my entire education and my future career to Brian Urlacher.

The dreaded iPad

It's been a long hibernation, but Jordan's Sparks On Sports is back! For my first post of the new era, I will be going off topic and will give my first impressions of the iPad.

For advertising class, each student was given an iPad to share with a classmate and I have spent one full week with it so far. Here are my pros and cons:

Pros: - Angry Birds
- Makes people jealous
- Makes me feel rich

Cons: - Angry Birds
- Have to spend money to get decent apps
- If it didn't have apps, there would be almost no use for it


I'd have to say that so far, Angry Birds has been the only app that I've made use of and it's been a real hit. Not only has it been a hit with me, but everyone in the household loves it as well. I now see why this game has become in international phenomenon and even has it's own level walk through videos Out of all the time I've spent playing it, I'm sure almost everyone else has spent just as much, if not more, time playing it as I have.

So what's my final verdict on the iPad? If you're anything like me and hate sharing one thing with four people, just make everyone buy they're own iPads. If they don't want to fork out the cash then too bad, they had their chance.

The Evolution of Life...or Just Video Games

As a young boy in the 1990's, of course I was exposed to tons of video games. One of my early favorites was the Mortal Kombat series. There was a strong storyline behind it and it always kept me coming back for more. I always wanted to go through the journey of defeating the lords of the OutWorld with a different character. Perhaps it was the awesome karate, or maybe it was the story behind the characters, or maybe it was just seeing Sonya Blade in a bikini top, but I was enthralled by this game.

Looking back on my experiences, there were other titles that rivaled the back story of Mortal Kombat. Some notables from my past include, Pokemon (which I still play to this day), Prince of Persia, Doom, Duke Nukem, Halo 1, Gears of War, and the list goes on.

One thing that I've noticed as the years have come along, the stories in video games have evolved, and maybe a little too much. When I think about the story of Mortal Kombat, I think about how the characters are very one-dimensional, and that's the way it stays. But nowadays, the characters in other games are becoming too complex. We are seeing glimpses of their entire personality and it is making the game too real. Sure, this is probably doing well with keeping the player's interest, but it is also allowing the player's to become more involved in the game, which is taking over their lives.

By having your own avatar on Xbox360 or having your own Mii on Wii, you may become more focused on living a better life through that alternate character, and not enough on your own life.

By having video games become to rich in character development, and by allowing people to create their own characters, this may be the beginning in a new level of social awkwardness. Children will only know how to interact with their friends through alternate realities. It's unhealthy. Sure, an imagination is healthy, but when your life is revolving around a game, it's sad.

I think that more video games should go back in time and revert to the old ways of Mortal Kombat or Pokemon. You can't really control what they do or how they act, but you are them, only for a little while.

Goon!

For those who aren't too familiar with the game of hockey, they may think it's just a bunch of overgrown men trying to hurt each other.

These people couldn't be more wrong. To excel at hockey, you need to be the strongest and fastest you possibly can. And to get control of the puck, you sometimes need to use your body to move the other player. On, at times there are a few rare "gems" who are allowed to play the game who clearly go onto the ice with the intent of injuring another player.

These guys have no judgment and only thrive on inflicting pain.

What I'd like to know is... how did this goon make it all the way to the NHL?

Possibly the most annoying song ever?

I'm all for national pride. I'll proudly say that I have caught the Olympic fever. I find myself watching figure skating and sitting on the edge of my seat in excitement. Then the best thing ever happens... Canada actually wins! But the problem is the programming that comes next, the dreaded montage. And of course there is only one song that will be played during those montages and that song is I Believe. This song will be stuck in your head for days and you won't even know half of the words. It's been haunting me for almost two weeks now. Enjoy....

Facebook VS. Twitter

At times, the thought of Facebook and Twitter makes me cringe, then at other times when I think about them, I say to myself, “Hey, this gives me something to do to kill five minutes.”

If I had to choose between the two, Facebook wins hands down. Why you ask. It does all the work for you! Facebook has all the statuses of your friends and all their little events happening right there on the front page. A quick read through, and bam! You’re “up-to-date” in a matter of seconds. Now, I use the term “up-to-date” loosely because checking up on Facebook really only tells you so much. All your friends might throw a few song lyrics on their status, or even an entire song on their status, but how is that considered news? I believe all people are doing on Facebook status updates is expressing what’s on their minds. Most of the time there are no “important updates” or anything to keep me remotely interested, but reluctantly, I keep coming back to it.

Now on a positive note, it does succeed in keeping me connected with friends and family. Sending a message and having a conversation couldn’t be as easy as it is on Facebook, even though you have to refresh your page all the time. Having a Facebook account means that you want to have the ability to connect with everyone you know, and some people that you don’t, through little bits of info, and one-line conversations.

When it comes to friends on Facebook, I’m probably real friends with about a third of my Facebook friends. There’s a loose definition of what friends really are on Facebook. Just because you know them, doesn’t make them your friend. But who am I to talk? I got so caught up in the hype of having tons of friends that I didn’t care who sent a request.

Professionally, there’s a huge opportunity using Facebook. You can create a fan page and post all kinds of information and offer videos and articles just like an actual website. The only difference is that when you update the page, your fans will receive notice of these updates. You can’t argue with free publicity. The opportunity for quick feedback from fans is tremendous. It helps you tailor your strategies and marketing plans to your audiences so there is little need for alternative research. That is, if you have a good enough amount of feedback.

I’m a Twitter virgin. I created my account a couple months ago and to date, I have 11 posts. I have never found a use for Twitter and I probably never will. I think the cause of this is that I never have and never do update my Facebook status, which, in my opinion, is essentially all Twitter is. I know you can do all kinds of cool things with Twitter, but I’m not a very outspoken person, so I’ll probably never find a true interest in Twitter. Perhaps it’ll grow on me, but I doubt that.

As long as a have my Facebook page, I’ll be quite satisfied with my connectedness (that’s actually a word?). I can keep in touch with my friends and can communicate any message I need to.

Facebook:

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Give Your Thoughts

Recently I've been wondering why the rules of co-ed volleyball are tailored for girls. I was always taught that men and women are equals. I've seen girls play that can play like men. So why are the rules the way they are?

I asked this question to three separate girls and got the same response every time.

Silence... followed by a glare and "shutup....."

Why can no girl give me a reason?

Please, anyone and everyone give me your thoughts on the subject.