An Advertising Class Full of Shopping, Observing and Pancakes!

So for our shopping assignment, we were asked to shop and observe clientele and watch out for enticing displays at Polo park Shopping Centre at 10:30 a.m. after a delicious class breakfast at The Pancake House last Monday morning. From what I noticed many of these shoppers were in their mid age, 30-50. My assumption is that these are the people, who shop early while their wives, husbands and children are out for the day. It’s a great time to get some hassle-free shopping done. I also noticed that by the time 11:30 a.m. rolled around, the traffic picked up in the mall. I saw a few teens and couples traipsing through the mall.

These customers come to the mall on a mission. They had already planned to shop. It was like they knew what they wanted and went straight for it, so making a purchase on their behalf didn’t take them very long. It was usually a quick in and out purchase for them especially since most of the stores were nearly empty and the sales people hurried to assist them. With service like this, why should it take a long time? I went to clothing and beauty stores. For one, lululemon was one of the busiest stores. People were drawn to the sports gear. Middle-aged women were purchasing yoga pants, shirts, water bottles and under garments. A lot of the women didn’t even bother to try anything on, which in my mind must mean that they are familiar with the products and already know what they want and like.

We talked to a salesperson at The Body Shop, which has a clientele of the age group I mentioned earlier. With mostly women aged 30 to 50, I was surprised to find that teenage shoppers frequent the store on account of a display at their entrance. The display shows a cannabis leaf and mentions something about getting high with their hemp line of moisturisers. Sales people at The Body Shop have said that this display has attracted countless teenagers, which is great for the store because they are attracting other than their target audience.



This ad campaign however has caused a lot of controversy due to the fact that they are promoting a product by showing an image of an illicit illegal drug. The Body Shop argues, however, that they have been selling hemp products for years and there is nothing illegal about it. This is a great campaign, because it has attracted teens into their store inquiring about hand and body moisturizers. Perhaps even a new fad amongst teens? I think this is great business for them and it is interesting to see how an ad, as ballsy as a cannabis plant on display in front of The Body Shop can legally be put there and influences a new target audience to shop in the store.

I have to say that I was surprised when I saw the cannabis plant at the front of The Body Shop store. Although I’m not sure that I would have noticed it, if it wasn’t for the fact that I was across from the display waiting at Virgin Mobile, purchasing my new smart phone. My wandering eyes took over me and I couldn’t help but notice the wow - factor of this display. I had to know what all that was about. So we went in and asked them.

Another display worth mentioning was the flying cats display outside of Aritzia. I mean, what is that all about? I wish I would have gone in, instead of just taking pictures of the odd display for fun. I think I may have to make another trip down to Polo Park Shopping Centre just to ask. The display itself however, did not make me want to enter the store. Perhaps it was because I know how much things cost in there. A few others worth mentioning, was the dressed up theft detector outside of lululemon, it actually made me walk right up to it to see what it had on it. And it is kind of funny; there were images of different exercising positions. Once I realized what it was, I was already in the store and decided to venture through.

The displays with all of the promotions did not make me want to enter the store. Like yeah, it’s great that if I buy $200 worth of stuff that I will receive $50 off, but those kinds of displays are everywhere and usually all the time. For example, for years LaSenza has been displaying “buy 7 pairs for $35,” I think they need to change it up a little, although it is nice to know that their underwear is always on sale. The best service will be received by any of the stores that have sales people working at the front entrance waiting to greet you or are wearing head-sets. You know, that they make it their mission to assist you and you will find what you are looking for fast. Places where the service was not so great, were at the smaller boutique-type shops where there is only one person working.

Overall, I think that Polo Park Shopping Centre has stepped up their game. I don’t shop at this mall usually because it is quite far from where I live. I noticed that the Apple Store was put up about a year ago. I haven’t been to many of the stores over the past year. But I have noticed that within this year; the staff at these stores have been much more helpful and friendlier than before. I know it’s because they want my money, but that’s a good thing. Make me feel good for taking my money and I will recommend you to others.

Advertising in New Media

So hi!
I was thinking about writing my blog and wandering what I should discuss. Should it be something about my IPP (Independent Professional Project). Something maybe, about our advertising  class Chicago trip fundraisers? Or how chaotic my life has been at the moment on top of drastic car troubles?

Well, I decided that my blog is becoming too redundant. Like, too much of a good thing,  isn't so good anymore. Anyway, so then I thought about writing about our fundraisers. Unfortunately due to my home life I was unable to make it out to our first one. Not knowing first hand how it went would make my blog post, in my opinion not worth it. And I'm not really wanting to discuss my private life in blog form.

courtesy of google

So, let's talk about advertising in new media instead. I was thinking about this topic and realized it is huge! Like completely. It's such a giant way to get messages across without the public thinking that they are being brainwashed. The way I'm going to argue this is simple.   


Traditional media consists of film, images and spoken words. Now on the other hand, new media is a whole new level of media developed to interact. DVDs & Cds (film), video games & consoles (images) and web 2.0 (spoken words) are three prime examples of this new type of media and all three are used to promote advertising of products tailored to our interests.

For example, adverting on DVDs promote new movies, previews. Yes, they do that in films (movie theatres) too. What distinguishes DVD advertising from film advertising is that the ads on DVDs are tailored to the public. Ads that show how buying products such as home theatre systems, Coca-Cola, and cars will make their music experience better.

Video games do this type of viral marketing too. I'm not talking about ads that are placed directly in the games but rather on the game console.  All three major game consoles Wii, XBOX and Playstation place ads in their main menu promoting new games, subscription promos, accessories, sweepstakes, computers and accessories etc.

And lastly, we have advertising in the new media form of web 2.0 A huge example would be Facebook, but of course there are countless others. See the illustration.

courtesy of google

Ahh, Facebook. Everyone Facebooks, with over  150 million Facebook users most of which have ad sidebars. These sidebar ads are tailored to your personality. For example, my page shows me ads for advertising related companies, photography, cupcakes, and marketing. Mmm cupcakes..... Now, I didn't status anything about advertising, photography, marketing or cupcakes. But I do have subject related friends and interests. 

So that is how it works and Facebook is not the only form of new media advertising done this way. I could talk about Twitter, google, blogger, and the newest one I will be joining LinkedIn, but I don't have the time or the brain capacity to discuss all. So I leave you with this, pay attention to what your are viewing. I'm sure you never realized how wicked cool or creepy is actually is.

~Jenn

Berns & Black

So I'm sitting here on my laptop thinking about whether or not I should write my ad to be funny, and started thinking about ads that are emotional yet funny. My two favs





I like the Knorr ad better. Although both are super cute, funny, emotional and descriptive. So I was thinking, in my Berns & Black ad, should it be funny? take a look! I don't really get this impression from them. It probably is a good idea however, to attract the target audience. Berns & Black is a newly establishment salon, not only for women, but for men as well complete with their own line of eco-friendly products. They are different in the way that they use vintage shaving techniques for men complete with a vintage style shaving chair! Pretty neat, I think you should check them out. Don't forget if you are a student at Red River, show them your ID for a super great discount! As part of the Young Professionals Program. Just sayin'

~Jenn

On Location Part 2

Today, I spent almost the entire day filming. I went to two locations. I filmed footage of the Jefferson tree and surrounding areas this afternoon and attempted some on-camera footage for the first time. Unfortunately, I had some issues. I believe at one point during, I said "I am under the Jefferson tree where the legends derived from, and it is raining." I am sure that I said shit and laughed a lot too. Haha. I don"t know if I am cut out for this. But I did it so much, that I am sure something good came out of it.

I also had challenges, because the boom mic battery died on me and I had to switch to the lav mic. Oh boy, It sure took a while. Once I returned to the car to put the audio away all snug, I realized I had to leave to pick up my boyfriend from work. So I will be returning tomorrow to finish the rest of the Jefferson tree footage of the forest mazes, old quarry, and old quarry wall.

Afterward, we returned to St. Andrews Anglican Church. It was nearly dusk and I had to rush to re-take all of the previous shots I did without sound. At one point while shooting the cemetery gates, I believe that a frog kept croaking at me. It sounded like it was inside of the stone wall! Soon, it got dark and I continued to film with the LED light. It was creepy, there were noises all around. But the tombstones looked amazing in the dark illuminated by light.

I filmed the end scene of my reenactment and during all this, about four cars pulled up in the dark, saw me and left. I did however see an old 1930 s car, pull onto the street and drive off. Yes, I filmed it. It was awesome, because there is a ghost sighting story about this type of car to be seen on location.

Lastly, while I was packing up, John, my boyfriend, was standing near the equipment facing the church and all of a sudden he says,
"Whoa. Shit!"
I say, "what?"
He says, "nothing."
I say, "what?! Tell me!"
He says, " I thought I saw something walk by."
I say, "Oh, that was my man in black."
He says, "What? Really"
I say, "Yeah, I am filming him in my reenactment."

John did not know the story of the Man in Black. He later told me that he saw a shadowy figure. I say, awesome! That is so cool! Too bad I was kneeling down to put everything away. We had to leave right then because, we had to pick up our son from my parents. Too bad, I will see the Man in Black someday.

~Jenn

Ps. I went to the haunted St. Boniface Museum location this week to talk to the Museum Director. It was great, and I will blog about it soon. Till then, happy haunting!

Something growled at us!

That's right, while on our vigil, we were growled at three times! Tonight was a fun, yet a scary night. We did some screaming, but well, we asked for it. Tonight's investigation was supposed to take place last weekend, however I was faced with some unfortunate circumstances and had to postpone all of my shooting. Tonight at the Jefferson tree, myself and fellow CreComm friend and investigator, Amanda Hope spent hours on location. We scouted for a few hours, got lost in the forest maze, left on a mission, then returned at night fall to film in the dark. It was super fun and super scary.

The crazy thing is, that even though a couple of elderly people set up camp to have some sort of fire, while at the tree, we felt completely off and uneasy.  We decided to venture off to an area, that we never had been. It was our first time, attempting communication there, and quite possibly our last (without boys anyway). It was terrifying! The thing that set us off was being growled at so much and something running towards us that the only way we felt safe was to loudly sing the coconut song from The Lion King!

I am happy to say, that I snapped a ton of photos, like 4 or 5 per a minute, and the orbs in each set, are different. Some move, some disappear. It is exciting. I don't know if you believe, and I know that orbs can be defined as the lens being too close to the flash causing a light reflection. But I ask you, in a few seconds how can some be there and some not. And some move. Believe what you will. I still don't know what to believe. Only, I hope to never to get growled like that at again!

~Jenn