Jigga and Pharrell Do Advertising.

Both Pharrell and Jay-Z now own advertising agencies.

All I'm saying is... Can I get a job, internship, something, anything?

K, Thanks.

-Shanique.

Yeezy on my Block.

Lately, if you cannot tell I'm completely intrigued by AA. I became a tad bit more intrigued when I found out that the one and only Yeezy and his crazy looking gf, Amber Rose were shopping at the AA on B'Way.

Not only am I bit more intrigued, I am also a tad pissed. WTF? I walked past there almost everyday...and now that I'm gone from the city...my favorite rapper decides to go shopping a block away from where most of my classes were held. SMH, Yeezy, SMH.

-Shanique.

American Advertising.

After seeing the American Apparel ad pictured below, I have to say that I was pretty much turned off to ANYTHING that AA was selling, peddling, or pushing. The ad is strikingly reminiscent of Vaudeville and blackface, which struck not only me but many as racist and condescending.

Despite this complete FAIL on AA's part, I have been completely captivated and most importantly motivated by the many ads that AA puts out. They are not only clever, but extremely simple and straightforward as well, getting the point of the ad across effortlessly and in a way that is tremendously effective.

Although in my eyes AA demonstrates advertising genius, there are many people who hate these ads mostly because of their overly sexual nature and so called exploitation of women. Yes, AA does have some completely over-the-top ads, but SO WHAT...they work and work well for the product they are trying to sell.

Advertising and marketing is all about creating a brand, a name and look by which a company will easily be recognized. AA most definitely has theirs. Whether you agree with it or not is your problem. Their product will continue to sell to the crowds that they are marketed to and then some, blackface and provocative or not.

-Shanique.

Combating Illiteracy.

So I've been reading lately, nothing serious, just something to make sure that I'm still literate when I go back to school in the fall. If you are looking for a good read David Foster Wallace's A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again is it.

It's witty and keeps my interest for more than a couple minutes, so it must be pretty good. Also, the wide range of vocabulary allows me to not only remain literate, but also aids in the learning of new, extravagant words, thus allowing for personal development and growth. So if you're not doing anything this summer, (which probably are not) pick it up, you'll enjoy it.

Not to mention, it has a cool ass cover.

-Shanique.

Skinnies vs. Suits.

So I know that I've been going a little of topic lately, but whatever, it's my blog, I can do whatever I like. Today, I was invited to an Candidate Prep Session for a highly coveted internship placement firm.

Candidate Prep Session (t).- an all day session that teaches a candidate how to behave and perform during a REAL interview. Basically a way to make sure a candidate doesn't fuck up and make the firm look bad.

Anywho, as I looked through the requirements for this thing, I came across the most dreaded combination of words in my vocabulary, Business Professional. I hate business professional. Not only does this mean that can't be completely comfortable in my skinnies and V-neck, I also have to don a square ass business suit and carry an even squarer ass briefcase, no pun intended.

And although I know that I am getting older and this is often required in the world of business, I feel as though the charade of business professional only hides the true personality of the person underneath. Convention is just that convention. If the world of marketing is supposedly all about innovation and invention, why I am still held to these archaic rules and standards?

So I am left in a conundrum, one that extends far beyond the dress code in the business world. I want to be able to do what I want, say what I feel, political correctness not a term to be familiar with. However, in order to break the mold one must first adhere by it. So I'll do it, suit on, fake smile present, professional voice in use and everything. But when it's all said and done, I'll be back in my Bullheads and V-necks with no hesitation.





P.S. That was probably THE worst closing ever, but I couldn't think of anything else.


-Shanique.

Featured Ad of the Week.

I was first introduced to this extremely clever ad towards the end of the semester in NYC. It's an ad for Snickers that uses a staple in one specific environment to sell Snickers to the extreme.

Look out for other Snickers ad like this in your part of town. Also, take note to the Verizon ads in the background lol.

-Shanique.

OBEY, why yes, I will.

So basically I have decided that OBEY is the shit. Taglined "Manufacturing quality dissent since 1989" OBEY is most definitely extremely clever and equally eye catching. Hell their tagline is enough to catch my attention, creating dissent and challenging popular opinion while making money is a hell of an accomplishment.

I was first introduced (and you probably were to, unknowingly of course) to OBEY and Shepard through the progress Obama posters that surfaced during the election. Needless to say they were dope and seen and replicated EVERYWHERE.

I very recently (like today) found out that the people at OBEY are not only responsible for one of THE most popular campaign posters of all time, but for dozens of other stickers, posters, and other print ads that challenge popular opinion and promote social change.

And while there are def other organizations that strive toward these goals, NO ONE is doing this in the major crazy way that they are. And I know, I know Cali people, I probably a bit late, OBEY's been doing their thing out there for a while now. But anywho as time progressed and as I looked deeper into OBEY and its products, I have become completely enthralled by it.

Money, cars, jewelry are all nice but supporting free thinking and opposing commonly held ideas are things that are in short supply in this world. Support anti-war sentiments, support immigration reform, support free thinking and whatever else you want just as long as you support shit that matters.

-Shanique.

McBullshit.

Being the complete loser that Iam, I stumbled across this new McDonald's ad while getting my daily dose of commercial watching. Take a look at McDonald's sad attempt to make themselves look classy and upscale below:




Ummm....I don't care how many accents you add to the ending of your products, McDonald's. It does not change the fact that your food is disgusting. However, you have managed to amuse me with your futile attempts so therefore you get to be included in my blog. Even so, this does in no way excuse this ad. McDonalds, your products will never be considered high end or posh, that's what Starbucks and Au Bon Pain are for. You should just stick to what you know best, loving to make people smile with dollar menu specials.


-Shanique.

A Brief Break.

So I know I said that this blog would strictly deal with advertising, marketing, and such, but yesterday my favorite rapper released his newest video featuring my fav....uhh...singer.

Peep it below, Kanye West's Paranoid ft. Rihanna.





-Shanique.

Nike, everyone?

So today after watching "SWOOSH! Nike's Rise to Greatness" and being dragged around by my boyfriend in search of a pair of your shoes. I have decided that Nike should most definitely be added to the small list of marketing geniuses in this world. With a vast empire that reaches all markets, I have to say DAMN Nike you are quite amazing.

While I am in no way an avid sneaker wearer, the wide range of people that utilize Nike products are astounding. Fitness freaks, hip-hop sneakerheads, grungy skateboard kids, and basketball fanatics all don the famous swoosh. It also helps that huge names like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and my personal favorite Lebron James all endorse the Nike Brand.

And while Lebron, supports the brand mostly because he gets paid millions to do so. Nike, in my opinion is sustained by one group, and one group only, sneaker heads. Maybe that is why my interest in Nike has substantially grown recently. Amazingly cute and sexy boys in blazers and dunks, give this brand an image that is virtually unattained by any other brand. Perhaps Nike, this is your plan: to place wonderfully cute boys in sneakers to peak the interest of non-sneaker wearers like myself. And if this is so...I must say it is working.

-Shanique.

Featured Ad of the Week.

One line, advertising genius.

"On the left, Marie Curie, first woman awarded with a Nobel Prize."

Take from this what you will.

-Shanique.

Innovate.

As my interest in the world of advertising increases substantially, I have decided to renovate my blog to reflect that. My blog will no longer (for the most part) talk about random events, unless they are so extreme that they have to be discussed and archived forever in my memory. All blog posts will now only speak on marketing, advertising, and media, for this is my passion.

Just as the industry continually innovates and revamps, so will I.

-Shanique.