WalMart for Healthcare?!

It is rumored that Walmart might be taking the lead to be a major healthcare provider! It has been reported that the company sent out a request to a few potential partners in hopes that they will become the LARGEST provider of healthcare services in the nation! Talk about DREAMING BIG! Their intentions are to create a national, low-cost primary care healthcare platform that in today's society is out of reach for many Americans. Their goal is to make this affordable and accessible but effective at the same time. Walmart is allegedly seeking partners that have a strong care model or the ability to assist in creating such a low cost health care platform. Since the story broke, Walmart is denying these plans, however, the company is always full of surprises. For more coverage on this... CLICK HERE!

A poem for our troops....

Here is a Veteran's Day poem that reminds me of my uncle in the Army. I found it truly inspirational! Support Our Troops!

Heroes

By Jared Jenkins

In war, there are lives risked and lives taken

Men and women giving their best to defend what they love

They defend their country

Their honor

Their people

Some call them soldiers

Others call them heroes

Our veterans have risked their lives for us

They have lived through hell and fought with honor

Many have killed

And regret doing so

For every life, there is a soul

For every soul, there is a life

For those who have died, we show great appreciation and remembrance

For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle

Some, memories of defeat

Some, memories of victory

Our veterans were more than soldiers

They were, and still are heroes

Veteran's Day : 11/11/11

"At Veterans Day events across the country, people in the United States gathered today to honor the millions of men and women who have served or are serving in the nation's armed forces."

Veteran's Day has never stuck out to me as a big holiday. I do not usually do anything in particular to celebrate the holiday. In fact, if you asked me randomly which day Veteran's Day was held on I most likely would not know. I do have an uncle who is in the Army right now stationed in Virginia. Knowing this, I should probably appreciate Veteran's Day more because I do have a loved one serving our country. The other way I remember Veteran's Day is from the shopping sales. Last night and this morning, I received numerous emails from the stores and websites that I shop at giving me promotional codes and telling me to take advantage of their Veteran's Day sales. That sums up how I celebrate Veteran's Day every year, however, I will always support our troops and pray for their families!

Ivory Soap Update

Ivory Soap has been one of Procter & Gambles oldest and biggest brands. They are renovating their look with new packaging, advertising, and social media initiatives. The new packaging will feature bright colors that will be more attractive to the buyer's eye. Their Facebook page launched last month and will continue to develop to get the brand's name out there to today's youth.

"Ivory is one of six soap brands sold by P.& G.; the others are Olay, Gillette, Old Spice, Safeguard and Camay."

Ivory soap is not only competing against its other brands within the company but also soaps run by other countries. Will Ivory Soap make a come back? Do you use Ivory Soap? 

Read more here

Funny Face, Buyers Taste

Comedians have been more active in the advertising field lately. It is said that a little laughter makes the audience want to buy a product.

"[...] Examples include Ellen DeGeneres, who sells CoverGirl and Olay cosmetic and beauty products for Procter & Gamble; Jimmy Kimmel, who performs in commercials for brands like Kellogg’s on his ABC late-night show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live”; Jane Krakowski of the NBC sitcom “30 Rock,” who is part of a campaign for Trop50 beverages sold by PepsiCo [...]"

In this rough economy, a little laughter never hurt. In times of struggle, people used to go see movies at the theatre. Now, a relaxing ad or two that is funny is beneficial to companies. Most people in today's society change the channel during commercials. With the use of celebrity advertisement, it stands in the mind and becomes memorable which leads to the purchasing of their product. 


Find out more on this type of advertising here !

Have A Heart Event

Yesterday, November 10th, there was an STJ event called Have A Heart. It happened on the Marillac Terrace. This event was held to support the Ronald McDonald house. We shared breakfast with other students while painting inspirational words on ceramic hearts. There was also an option to make cards and write letters. These will be sent out to children with cancer. STJ surely knows how to give back in a fun and creative way.

Writing is a Fundamental Thing

Last Friday, the Multimedia Communications class took a quick trip to the writing center. The writing center was neatly put together with tables and inspirational quotes on the walls. We were greeted at the door and then taken to an area with couches. There, the student workers proceeded to tell us what happens at the writing center. People come to the writing center to revise their papers with a tutor, get tips on how to write better, or just to work in a quiet setting dedicated to writing. We were taught how to schedule an appointment and encouraged to do so.

Here is a picture of one of the quotes on the wall:

Parental Control

Parents are being urged to limit the media watching of their youngest children, ie. infants and toddlers. Television watching, video game playing, computer using is not beneficial to children under the age of 2. They provide no education benefits and take away from actual playing time and interacting with actual people. 


According to the NY Times, Few parents of small children trying to get through a day can resist plunking the youngsters down in front of the screen now and then, if only so they can take a shower — or check their e-mail.


What parents are truly doing are limiting their children's motor and social skills. Shameful?!

9/11 Art Gallery

Last Friday, Multimedia Communications took a trip to an on campus art gallery about 9/11. The photos were very powerful and brought me back to the actual day the tragic event happened. I was in the 3rd grade and had a lot of family in New York. I faked sick that day and got to stay home... This art gallery was beautiful and I think Jeff Mermelstein, the photographer, did a great job. The class seemed to feel the same way contributing to the wall of memories.

YouTube's Ad Revolution

Most companies spend the majority of their advertising money on TV ads instead of Internet ads. With the invention of DVR and ad skipping, YouTube thinks it would be more effective for companies to invest in online ads. YouTube has high hopes that all ads for brands will be in video form soon on their website. They are working on creating ads that are not applicable with TV ads. For example, they would like to evolve into choose your own adventure ads, etc.

Read More About the YouTube Revolution Here !

Fashion Bloggers Represented.

Fashion bloggers were not always represented and have done their work for free generally. This is no longer happening because of a new group, Digital Brand Architects. They represent fashion and lifestyle bloggers. The group is trying to position its clients as equals to stylists, makeup artists, and photographers. Social media is becoming such a strong field that the craft needs to be represented and protected. Bloggers are the new generation of advertisers. They are the future and they are starting to gain respect.

Facebook takes to the Media

Facebook has now channeled into the media. As Google+ was released to the public this week, Facebook released its new changes! (Ironic timing? Coincidental? I think not.)


Facebook is set to reveal a media platform that will allow people to easily share their favorite music, television shows and movies, effectively making the basic profile page a primary entertainment database. 


This new profile will be able to stream what that Facebook user is viewing, "entertainment wise," on outside websites. This will be beneficial to Facebook and the other websites profit wise.


Facebook is truly trying to be the social networking BOSS of the world. Will another website top it? If not, WHAT WILL COME NEXT?

Media Diary :)

This morning I woke up to the sound of my iPhone alarm clock singing a song about cows. I don’t know why that was the ringtone but it did the job because I got up right away. I instantly checked my Twitter and read the tweets that were on my timeline from the night before up until the current time. Then, I turned on the TV and Maury was on. I must have sat there for a while because it eventually changed to Jerry Springer and then Judge Judy and so forth. While I watched, I checked my Facebook and Twitter constantly while also texting my friends. I then made some phone calls to set up plans for the day. After I got off the phone, I checked my Twitter again. As you can tell by now, I am obviously addicted to Twitter. Then I got up and went out for the day. I got lunch while texting my friends and then went to the post office. Then I took the subway back to campus, which was TORTURE. I listened to my iPod on the ride there but being cut off from Twitter and texting was the worst. Subways should really work on getting cell phone and internet connection down there so I don’t have to go through that. You never know when there might be an emergency and you are in the subway. When I got off I made a phone call and sent a few more text messages as I walked back in addition to listening to music via my iPhone. Then I went back to my dorm to pick up my laptop and meet my friend to do homework. While doing homework, I found myself texting, checking Twitter and Facebook, and checking my email. After I finished most of my homework, I went to dinner with my roommates. I was doing the usual texting, etc. while out with them. Later, I went back to the dorm to finish my homework. I ended the night writing this, recording what I did in media throughout the day. I plan to do the same things tomorrow in addition to going to class. 

New York Fashion House ON THE WEB!!!

Nicole Miller, CEO of the company, has put 100% percent of her marketing budget on the web. The New York Fashion House is home to top magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. She states, “We’re in a revolution. A year ago we were basically doing zero online.” The company’s strategy seems to be working. Their online sales increased by more than half this past summer and are expected to double by 2012.

Sony Crosses Fingers for Tablets & TVs

Sony’s Howard Stringer is depending on the new TVs and tablets to save the company financially. The company suffered from money loss after the Japanese Tsunami, a Playstation crisis, and the London riots. The company produced $2 billion dollars less than expected. They expect their new products to take over and help rebuild the company’s top status.

Yahoo! Names new CEO

Carol Bartz, former CEO of Yahoo!, has been ousted from the position. Tim Morse will succeed her.  Bartz emailed the staff stating that she had been fired over the phone.  “While Bartz has streamlined certain areas and made some strong management hires, her performance has been decidedly bumpy and mostly downhill.” There are rumors that there were conflicts between Bartz and Yahoo’s co-founder, Yang. Yahoo is now attempting to recover from a rocky few months financially.