On-Word

As this class comes to end, what will be next for Contently Voice? On ward, I still feel the desire to write, so I simply will. This class has pushed me to the limit. I mean that in a good way of coarse. I was constantly challenged and engaged to think critically. The combination of writing and reading helped me focus my writing and thought process when communicating through speech as well. I think that is what surprised me the most. The unexpected awareness of words, brevity, and even self.

As for Contently Voice I have a passion for the content I choose. For the most part is has always been my thoughts, putting them into words is another story in it self. However this class has spark the confidence to be as honest in my writing as I am in my head, in witty grammatical excellence of coarse.
With the tools provided through the reading material combined with the actual critiques from my peers I feel confident about the progress of my writing style. I think my challenge will come in finding a way to continue to push myself to the next level. It is much easier when you have a professor to do it for you. Nonetheless I will take the reigns from here on ward Contently Voice!

8/13/12

Right On Target

Target currently has multiple ways they interact with their customers using social media. Considering what I would like to accomplish for Contently Voice Theater’s social media campaign, their strategy is defiantly worth looking at. I know they are a retail company but there social channels are solid and they have built a loyal engaged following.

Facebook- The Target fan page currently has 16.5 million likes. The page has numerous tabs including a tab for photos, charity campaigns, and lastly promotions they may be running at the current time. These are all excellent uses of the FB Tabs. Also they call out the fact that Target loves to give back and encourages its costumers to do the same. These are my two favorite tabs. Another Tab is the wedding tab., which again is an excellent way to market their wedding catalog   (which I did not know existed until I saw it on their FB Tab.)

Twitter-Target currently has over three hundred and forty thousand followers. To date they have over seven thousand tweets. Observing their strategy as a follower I recognized they engage follows by using fun facts and key callouts. They tie in current events, trending topics, and popular movies and music. I think this is awesome because they are not outwardly “salesy”. I enjoy following them because I don’t feel like they are overtly trying to sale me something. They reference “The Ninja Turtles” and play Olympic trivia games. They engage their followers through common interest and cleverly tie in products.

Youtube-Target’s youtube channel is well on the way to thirty million video views. They currently have eighty five hundred subscribers to their channel. After cruising the channel myself I made a few key discoveries. The channel houses their TV commercials as well as, behind the scene video productions with top vendors. Viewers become more attached to the products as they watch and learn the details and motivation behind the products they purchase. Another great feature is videos produced exclusively for the youtube channel and other online forums. These are Target Brand videos. They promote the Target voice. They range from humors videos about their scholarship program to celebrating their 50^th year anniversary. They are cool, fun, and viewers like them.

I will combine three key approaches from the Target social strategy. I will utilize multiple channels including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Each social platform will market a specific business aspect. Facebook is great for utilizing the tabs to show different categories in there own space. Twitter is great for high engagement and conversation between contently Voice and their audience. Youtube is a personal channel, which allows viewer to watch content produced by Contently Voice.

In the Spirit of Games

After I caught up on some homework this weekend I was able to watch some of the Olympic games. Not only were the Olympics fascinating, but also the ads were really good. It got me to thinking about the evolution of Olympic commercials. The library of Olympic commercials I was able to find pleasantly surprised me. This one below was one of my favorites in particular. This commercial immediately pulled at my emotions (yes I am corny I know) but I felt a since of happiness and enthusiasm for this athlete who I have never heard of. Then it dawned on me. This vintage commercial used a simple remedy the Olympics has coined. It human emotion mixed with strategic brand placement. Reaction to human emotion is unavoidable. Mixing in brand placement allows the audience to have an emotional response to both the people and product in the message. I think marketers have a recipe that will never age. We all wait for the Olympics with great expectations. Whether it is the athletes you love, or screaming your country name, big business is the stepchild hitching along for the ride.

The Return Policy

INT.  Lindsey’s Car – NIGHT

Lindsey and Joan are riding home from a concert. Lindsey is dressed in a black fitting fitting dress with blue shoes. Joan is wearing a red spaghetti strapped mini dress with black shoes.

Lindsey

That concert was amazing. It’s been so long since I have had the chance to get out and do something fun.

Joan

Yeah, I know who knew after college we would get to do things like this less often.

Lindsey

It feels so good to get dressed up and go out. Where did you get your dress? It is really cute.

Joan

From Cheetah print, it was so expensive and that is exactly why it is going back first thing tomorrow.

Lindsey

Hahahahah..

Joan

No seriously, I am taking it back tomorrow. I always check the return policy on big purchases. Especially if I know wit will be one time use.

Lindsey and Joan pull up to Joan’s apartment.

Joan

 Wow that was fast, thanks for picking me up girl. See you on Monday at work, night.

Lindsey

Night girl.

INT.- MORNING- JOAN’S CUBICLE

Lindsey

Hey Joan, what’s going on? How was the rest of your weekend?

Joan

Girl, do you remember when I told the dress I told you I was taking back.

Lindsey

Yeah

Joan

So the next day I go too take it back and can you believe they would not take the dress back?

Lindsey

What, what do you mean. I thought you always checked the return policy with stuff like that.

Joan

I did! Can you believe there was fine print on the receipt?!

Lindsey

Hahahahahaha fine print on a receipt!!

Joan

Yes and the woman at the register had the nerve to pull out her magnifying glass and show it to me.

 I could not dispute it. There is clear as day under the lens of her microscope. “All returns suspected of use can and will subjected to refusal of return. All I could say was “what do you mean there is no returns”

Joan

So she suspected that you wore it. Were you embarrassed at all?

Lindsey

Embarrassed?! All I could think of is my money I wasn’t going to get back. All because of some silly billboard I saw with the dress. I knew I had to have it and now I can’t get rid of it.

Joan

Well I better get back before my manager notices I am gone. Lunch Later?

Several minutes go by Joan, begin to get back to work at her desk. Peter, who sits behind Joan and has a small crush on her, walks past her desk. He takes a double look before walking back over to her desk.

Peter

Hey Joan

Joan

Peter?

Peter

I just wanted to tell you, looked great at I saw you pictures from the concert on Facebook.  That dress sure looked great on you.

Joan

Peter please, I not in the mood. I have a lot of work to do.

Peter defeated walks away. Joan returns to doing her work.

Stacey who is the office the secretary walks over to Joan’s desk. Joan believes Stacey is a nosey gossip spreader, and therefore keeps her eyes guyed on her computer screen and pretends not to see her.

Stacey

Hey Girl, I saw you and Lindsey Facebook pictures, I like that little dress you had on.
Where did you get that?

Joan’s eye still unmoved from the computer screen

Joan

Umm. I forgot.

Stacey

I dress like that, must of cost. It look good, it was worth. You guys look like you had fun.

Joan irritated looks up

Joan

Thanks. If you will excuse me I have a lot of work to do.

Stacey rolls her eyes

Stacey

That will be that last time you get a complement from me

Stacey, perturbed struts off back to the front desk.

Joan focuses back on her work determined not to be distracted. She doesn’t notice Rick the delivery guy, who she ocasionally flirts walking over to her desk.

Rick

Hey Joan

Joan without looking up

Joan

If your coming to say how nice I looked at the concert in my red dress I no I was…..

Realizing its Rick she pauses in mid sentence.

Joan

Rick…..

Rick

Well I guess I missed out, but I would love to see it.

Joan

Oh it was nothing really, I didn’t know you had a delivery today?

Rick

You must have look nice, seems like a people have been telling you all day. So are you going to show me?

Joan, visibly torn, logs into Facebook and shows Rick the photos of her and Lindsey at the concert.

Rick

Oh wow you really look nice. I don’t think I will be able to get that picture out of my head for the rest of the day.

Joan (sarcastically)

Wonderful

Rick

Well I have to get to the rest of my deliveries. You look great, really loved the dress.

Joan lumps her head down on her desk.

Joan

Just great. Stuck with a dress I can never wear again.

Executive Summary

Alternate Publishing

My alternate publishing plan would be to get my article published in Time Magazine. The reputable magazine has covered topics ranging from the KKK to President Kennedy. Their articles are remarkable and recognized for their ability ignite passion, honor memories or paint the horrible truths with beautiful words. I think this article fits in with their strong attachment with telling the American story and how they have shaped our America today.

The title Gun Fun screams  “Times Magazine”. It is witty and catchy. Readers will get an idea of what the article is about but will not know what to expect. When I read an article in Time Magazine that my not be cover the most pleasant moment in American history I feel a random cluster of feelings including pride, shame, and astonishment. That is much of what I felt researching and writing this article.  The then, now, and will be; is examined and exposes the “why” of who we are as a society.  

To submit an article to Time is fairly easy, the process anyway. The selection process is very competitive and the chosen few are a caliber of excellent content combined with superior quality of writing.  My content is in line with the message of Time Magazine. It captures a snapshot of American culture driven by advertising with deadly effects. This article educates people on the history on what the left wing would call “crazies with guns”. Are they really crazy or practicing tradition? If so who created these traditions and why? This article would be great for Time magazine, one thing that is clear we are having a lot more gun fun now than in 1930.

About The Author

Believes the closer we get to artistry and creativity the closer we are to humanity. Hopes to listen a little closer to see a whole lot better. Wants to know is it more important for you to know where I can from or see me now Learning to forgive trespasser.  Imagines the impossible as the future. Eats in bed. Accepts the days as they may come. Rejects what is accepted as the unchangeable. Explores and respects history. Cares for the future. Writes to discover, explain, and connect.