Geico Dough Boy Commercial

Commercial Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvFul32xKCs

Background/Argument: Geico commercials are known for their humor and cheesy jokes. They normally always include the Geico Gecko as well as the tag line: "15 minutes can save you 15 percent or more."

Description: This commercial had the same tag line but no Geico Gecko. It starts off by showing the faces of people in line at an airport security check station while there is some high-pitched laughter in the background. It next shows a security guard while a tiny blue backpack roll through the scanner. Then, the commercial reveals that the high-pitched laughing was from the Pillsbury Dough Boy. They show his tiny rolling pin yet the main point is that he isn't able to stop laughing while being checked. The commercial ends with two men playing the guitar in front of a backdrop while one questions,"How happy are folks who save hundreds of dollars by switching to Geico?" and the answer: "Happier than the Pillsbury Dough boy on his way to a baking convention."

Thoughts: I thought this commercial was very uninformative and pointless. The commercial had no direct connection to anything related to Geico until the very end. That too, the tag line is said quickly, making it hard to understand. The creators included the Pillsbury Dough Boy making the audience confused as if this is an ad for Pillsbury or Geico. The setting of a security check only aggravated the confusion. The confusion is only cleared at the end when it is revealed that it is about Geico and that people would be happier than the laughing Pillsbury boy if they switch to Geico. However, there really is no connection between the Pillsbury or Geico that is known to the audience.
Cons: -Unrelated and complicated
-Not entertaining and random
-Voices spoken quickly
Pros: -Not too long
-Still carries a part of the Geico commercial tag line

Questions:
-Is there really any significance of the Pillsbury Dough Boy?
-Who were the two guys in the commercial and what did they have to do with the commercial?
-Was Geico trying to show some controversial aspect of pat downs at the security check or was it just a coincidence?

Hershey's Chocolate

Ad Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oROkBRde1pI

Argument: Hershey's chocolate is the best for s'mores and for making people happier.

Details: The commercial shows people making s'mores with Hershey's chocolate. They show the kids and adults enjoying themselves while eating the s'mores, as the marshmallows roast and turn into a soft, stretchy goodness. The setting around the campfire makes the commercial seem like anyone can enjoy the delicious taste of Hershey's s'mores with family and friends. The commercial tends to focus more on the women enjoying the chocolate rather than the men. The narration is done by a woman as well. The commercial ends with a piece of chocolate completing the bar and its wrapped with the tag line: "Life is delicious."  

Thoughts: I feel that this commercial would really appeal to kids the most. The commercial utilizes the smiles and enjoyment of the crowd to emphasize how the everyone is loves the taste of Hershey's chocolate. However, I feel the commercial was centered around mostly women. The narration was done by a woman and most of the people shown were women. In all, I think it sends the message of Hershey's being an excellent choice for s'mores and for bringing people together.

Pros:
-Pretty effective. It made me really want some chocolate.
-The ad utilizes the reactions of the people very nicely.
Cons:
-The commercial, I thought, was directed to women mostly. Are they trying to show that women love chocolate?
-It was short and went by kind of fast. It wasn't something people could grab much information from.
-It was focused more on the s'mores so there wasn't really much about the actual chocolate itself. That's a disadvantage to Hershey's because the most that the audience will get out of the ad is about s'mores. 

Demand a fair trade cell phone

Demand a fair trade cell phone

Tantalum,from tablets to touchscreens  its inside them all.This precious mineral is mined,used and is the reason why technology is sleek, slender and shiny.The story of how it is obtained it a murky one.It involves mining as nonthreatening as that word seems it is the cause of countless deaths and injuries. Bandi argues in his speech that we don't need to stop using phone but procure the materials in a way that is morally sound and does not violate human rights of citizens.This is understood when he states the following  "Why should we allow such a wonderful brilliant and necessary product to be the cause of unnecessary suffering for human beings?" The usage of these minerals should never come to a halt for they are beneficial by connecting the world together.However Bandi asserts his belief  that "If we demand fair trade food and fair trade clothes,it is time to demand fair trade phones."

Truth

The cold hard truth we must accept is that so far every electronic device we use has some percent of tantalum in its foundation and this was procured by forcing African workers in hazardous working conditions to make the phones we use today.

Thoughts

I was shocked to find out the horrible conditions in which the Africans toiled under for hours together with unfair pay.What was really disgusting is that they breathe in such toxic fumes by going deep beneath the earth.I believe that this is highly deplorable and it further makes me realize that the device I'm using to post this blog had been the product of a African miners blood and sweat.This is an in-just practice which probably payed him in pennies.

Questions

1. What can we do to procure this material without harming the African people?
2. We still have to go in mines to get the metal,how do we do this in a safe financially sound manner?
3. If this is the result of years of Imperialism,are the imperialist countries responsible for taking care, fair pay,and safety precautions of the African people.(As they use tantalum Africa exports)