Advertising has standards?!?

July 17, 2013

     After class today, we got to sit in on a very informational presentation at the Advertising Standards Authority. The ASA is the UK’s independent regulator of advertising across all media. They apply the Advertising Codes, which are written by the Committees of Advertising Practice. Their work includes acting on complaints and proactively checking the media to take action against misleading, harmful or offensive advertisements.

 

One particular issue that stuck out to me at the presentation was the ASA's discretion on altered images via Photoshop. In the states, it's commonplace for many print ads (especially those related to cosmetics) to be altered to enhance a product or brand, but that sort of practice just doesn't fly in the UK. I think banning said adverts is excellent and very practical and it blows my mind that there isn't any sort of regulatory body like that in the states.

Here is the example the ASA showed as one of their banned ads and one of adverts that received the most complaints.

 

                                                                     

Modern Times Rock & Roll

July 16, 2013

"Dullness is a disease. I really need danger

and excitement. I'm never scared of putting

myself out on a limb." -Freddie Mercury 

     Tonight, the class went to a theatrical play called, We Will Rock You The Musical by Queen at the Dominion Theater. I wasn't really too sure what to expect as I have never been to a play before but I was pretty stoked that we were about to pay homage to one of the rock Gods, Freddie Mercury and to one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time, Queen. 

     The show was absolutely incredible! I was on the edge of my seat for a majority of the time. Every thing from the stage layout and props, to production value, to the actual band that was playing was mind blowing. I'm not sure what else to compare it to, but it was definitely one hell of a first musical to attend.

     

Another stamp in the passport

July 11, 2013

     The first week of class came and went, and it was a jam packed week from start to finish. Monday began with an introduction to both Peter and Tracey's class followed by a bus and boat tour of London. 

     Tuesday, the class got to visit the Museum of Brands, Packaging, and Advertising, which was absolutely incredible to see the progression of advertising throughout the decades and how different issues throughout culture and history tied into the brands and their advertising efforts. 

     It is now Thursday and Jennifer, Courtney and myself are about to take a cab, train, and a plane across the pond and I am so stoked! (Sorry in advance for the picture overload that's about to occur.)

Jennifer, Courtney & I just landed in Paris.

Our roomies at the hostel

Courtney & I at the base of the Eiffel Tower

Here we are at the Palais Garnier

     In attempt to get my iPhone unlocked to get my UK phone number, I lost all media content on my phone including some of the most awesome campaigns from Heineken that I have seen and that I know won't be seen in the states due to their regional content displayed in most of the out of home displays. I'll try to post them later in the blog if I come across them on the internet. 

One thing that I did notice over in Paris is that the movie, Wolverine is a HUGE hit. It felt like every other digital display, flyers, building billboards, and underground ads were letting the public know that Wolverine is on it's way. I even saw some sweet guerrilla adverts (my personal favorite) for the movie. In some parts of the more popular areas, there were stencils spray painted of Wolverine with the release date underneath it. Not only was this very interesting to me, but it was very consistent with the culture and the amount of graffiti and street art the scoured the city. Can't say that I have ever really seen that back in the states. 

Please return your trays to their upright position (I HAVE ARRIVED!)

July 6, 2013

After linking up with a few other members from the trip at Heathrow Airport and a whirlwind adventure of riding the Underground for the first time, we finally made it to Regents University. And here is a brief tour. 

 Here is the entrance to Regents Park. It is filled with geese and pigeons and everything around is so green and lush and full of life.

 Just to the right of the entrance is the bridge that eventually leads to the entrance of Regents University.

Through the gate lies the pathway to Regents.

 This is Reid Hall where I and the rest of the group are residing for the summer. If you look at the entrance towards the center of the photo, go up three floors, and over two windows, that is my room!

And just to the right of Reid Hall lies another wing of Regents University. I especially like the vines growing on the building.

 

July 5, 2013

     I arrived at DFW Int'l, checked in my roller and enjoyed the last 30 minutes with mum and my little brother. I collected the rest of my belongings, went through the (surprisingly not too painful) TSA check and into my terminal. It still hasn't really hit home that in less than an hour, I will board a plane, fly 9 hours, and be living in London. I am so very thankful for this opportunity and for the people who believed in me and helped me get to where I am about to go. 

     

     At this point, I feel that my education has paved a solid foundation to my career for when I graduate UNT and I am really hoping to gain new experiences and network with phenomenal people while I am over here and gain knowledge that will be applicable to build upon that foundation. This is the first summer since I was 15 that I haven't spent on the road. I know everything happens for a reason and I really look forward to looking back on this blog come August and seeing just how much I have really grown and to see the experiences that I take away from this trip.