It definitely seems like the media is always reinventing itself in order to get peoples’ attention. Have you noticed the new electronic billboards, conveniently placed at long traffic lights, changing every couple of seconds to show a different advertisement? This one is located on Santa Monica Blvd. @ Sawtelle Blvd. in Los Angeles:
If you think about it, these things aren’t even safe! As someone is driving, these billboards can certainly be very distracting, yet it does not stop the media world from putting them up… if anything, that’s their point.. to distract people from what they would usually be doing and revert their attention to what they are promoting.
Another new media tool I have noticed is what some channels do to make their viewers pay attention to commercials. I watch Robin Hood on BBC America, and during their commercial breaks they always say stay tuned during our commercials to catch a ‘Robin Hood: Inside Look,’ which is basically like a 20 second interview with a cast member. If someone likes the show, instead of getting up and using the restroom, or going to the kitchen to get a snack, they’re more likely to watch the commercials and wait for the “inside look.” Clever. Personally, I don’t have to deal with that because I DVR the show and I watch it when I have time, so I can just fast forward through the annoying commercials, which is absolutely fabulous.
Robin Hood on BBC America
Point of this post: The media is ridiculously clever. They know exactly what to do to get a person’s attention and use it to push whatever they’re selling. With that said, be careful! You never know what they’ll come up with next… just try and avoid getting brainwashed!
-Sali.
July 8, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Wow! I have heard of both of these. When it comes to TV, I just change the channel. The last thing you said on this post, was very well put.
Thank you!
July 8, 2008 at 11:32 pm
You’re so right….those things are sooo annoying…lol
One can only wonder what ideas they will come up with next!
July 13, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I have noticed the electronic billboards, and I also agree that it can be a dangerous entity while driving. The only way to combat this is to see if they are any accidents in the same vacinity. Do you know they first started these billboards in Asia. In Asia now, they show lil trailers in your direction when the light turns red.. Notice the position of the electronic billboards now .. A lil movie is headed our way….