sex
Disconnect between Sex & Product Examining how effectively sex sells unrelated products, we hope to provide a measure of just how wide an application there is in the use of sexual imagery to sell product. Sex Mass Comm Establish how, why, and what sex is used by visual communication to reach an audience
IN VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
ez D an n n se ez e r ud r H Kn a o i n a l M ad M tin a ost a ja is a T iC n hr nD ra on ez Be C e y r r Br M Ve jua
oBjeCtiVe
In an increasingly saturated marketplace, gaining consumer attention becomes progressively harder. Messages bombard people everyday, all the time, in every imaginable form. Considering this, ads and other messages, require new, shocking, and attention holding content. To the group, it seems that sex is used to effectively sell everything from underwear to toothpaste. Whether or not this is true, the sheer number of sexually charged messages amongst all media is massive, continues to proliferate, and becomes edgier, and more aggressive with each generation. Most often, the notion of including sexual themes in any medium is explained by the popular maxim that ‘sex sells.’ Even when the message is not a commercial one, when any sexually charged theme is featured, or allured to, in any message it is often explained by the idea that ‘sex sells.’ So common is the thought, it has come to explain anytime sex is featured anywhere to get attention. It makes sense, since attention held can be bought and sold to advertisers if it is held effectively. And sex can hold attention. But the idea that sex sells begs a few questions:
Does sex truly sell? If sex sells, what sex? If sex sells, what is sexy? If sex sells, just to what extent can it sell? If sex sells why does it sell? [ The group’s objective is to examine the idea that sex sells by focusing on the extent to which sex is used to sell, and gauging its effectiveness at these extremes of association.]
Sexually charged messages are currently being used to sell items that are far detached from the sexy content of their ads. Fast food, deodorant, and politics are hardly associated with sex in any way, yet sexually themed messages from each of the aforementioned products continues.
SignifiCanCe
Understanding how visual communications use sex to transmit messages allows individuals to make sound decisions regarding message content, as opposed to making impulsively driven rash decisions from emotions elicited by imagery. Forms of mass media that transmit visual communications where messages seem detached from their sexually themed content exploit the stimulus provided by sex to reach an audience.
[ By investigating how sex draws attention, the presentation will hopes to uncover whether or not sex is effective as a means of grabbing attention or simply overwhelms whatever message it was intended to carry. ]
objective: Discover how sex sells
Significance: reveal just how effective sex spreads a message
the group Blog
The group blog, established at ( http://mcom70. ning.com ) will serve as the primary contact medium for group interaction and information sharing.
Work SCHeDule
Due task Mon Build oCt group 20 Blog fri Sex oCt in the 24 media
Sat oCt 25
Description
Group will establish blog for MCOM 70 Creative Project. The blog will serve as the primary means for group communication -All members will monitor various mediums to note any sexually themed images. -Notes will be recorded of what medium the image appeared in/ on, the image content, and the image purpose. -All data will be shared by this date via posts to group blog. -All members will monitor news outlets for articles concerning the use of sexual themes in visual communications. -All information gathered will be shared on this date either in meeting or via blog posts -Group will gather video media that provides clear visual examples of findings thus far -All video’s will be posted to group blog by this day -Survey will be conducted polling student body of San Jose State University by presenting two images--one sexy, one not. Flash of images will be done electronically to ensure equal distribution of time between images. The image remembered/sex of the participant/location of poll will be recorded for later statistical analysis. -Survey to be completed by this date -Group meeting will be held @ MLK Library to discuss findings thus far. -This meeting will lay the foundation of the power point presentation -Each member will be designated a slide and will be responsible for contributing the material for the composition of their slide (@ least one slide per member based on # of slides)
Sex in the Media
While focusing on video media, the group will observe and record any sexual themes encountered in their normal daily routine, regardless of medium. The information compiled will be used to distill general motives behind the images. Similarly, when fulfilling ‘watch the rags,’ group members will simply monitor print media. Specifically, the group will research, focusing on reputable sources, for content supporting suspected themes in sexual media. Such research will place a premium on recent data/ articles/information.
watch the ragS Sexy video exampleS Survey the people
Mon oCt 27 Mon noV 10
WeD noV 12
make SenSe of it
Surveying the People
The survey will be done with to sets of images. The first set will flash two images, one sexy and one non-sexy. The group will record which image holds by asking participants questions about each image after they are presented. The second set will flash a sexy image with a logo and one image without a logo. Afterwards, the participant will be asked to identify the difference between the two images with as much detail as possible. With this test, the group will record whether or not any other message can transmit well against the competition of the sexy image.
Sat noV 15 Mon noV 17
power point preSentS Slide Show StartS Slide Show finiSh practice makeS perfect Bind final package
-Each member’s rough draft of their power point slide(s) to be completed by this date -Slide material to be posted on blog by this date -Power point presentation to be completed -Power point will be distributed via e-mail for all members to evaluate/critique -All comments/revisions of slides to be posted to blog -After evaluation period, all slides will be updated to final power point -Finished power point will be distributed to group members via email -Group will meet @ MLK Library to run through presentation -Any final touches will be made to power point slides -Group will establish slide rotation of presentation/assign members slides to present -Group will meet to put all materials in a final project package -Test of power point will be done in DBH 122 to ensure functionality of all materials required for presentation -Final project package will be turned in MON. DEC. 1
WeD noV 19
Mon noV 24
WeD noV 26
reSPonSiBilitieS
Member task BenjaMin Build group Blog
BenjaMin CHriStina VeroniCa Myra BrenDa all MeMBerS
Description
Complete Complete -Monitor various sexually themed visual communications. -Record place, the image content, and image purpose. (3 items per member) -Produce three summaries of articles concerning sexual imagery in media (3 items per member) -Gather video media that provide example of findings thus far (2 items per member) -Develop questions for survey -Make up form for recording responses -Choose flash pictures for survey -Use laptop to present two image sets -One person present gather participants / One person record participant reaction -Discuss findings thus far -Each member assigned and responsible for contributing the material for the composition of their slide -@ least one slide per member based on # of slides -Each member’s rough draft of their power point slides) to be completed by this date -Slide material to be posted on blog by this date -Take each member’s slide and complete cohesive presentation -Establish slide format -Power Point will be distributed via e-mail for all members to evaluate/critique -All comments/revisions of slides to be posted to blog -Take all comments and revise Power point as necessary
type group preSentation
CHriStina VeroniCa Myra BrenDa CHriStina VeroniCa Myra BrenDa grouPS of tWo (noV. 1St - 9tH) all MeMBerS all MeMBerS WeD noV 12 all MeMBerS
Sex in the media watch the ragS Sexy video exampleS
eStaBliSh Survey form
Survey the people make SenSe of it power point preSentS
put together power point
BenjaMin all MeMBerS
VeroniCa Myra CHriStina BrenDa all MeMBerS
Slide Show StartS Slide Show finiSh practice makeS perfect
Script workS cited preSentation copy
-Group will meet @ MLK Library to run through presentation -Any final touches will be made to power point slides -Group will establish slide rotation of presentation/assign members slides to present -Each member will script his/her presentation (this will later be included in final package) -Each member will write out works cited for all materials included in their slide content (this will later be included in final package) -Burn copy of Power point presentation for inclusion in final package -Set date/time to test presentation -Gather and bind together all elements of presentation -Create detailed printout delineating entire presentation that compiles scripts, works cited, and visuals used
all MeMBerS all MeMBerS BenjaMin VeroniCa Myra CHriStina BrenDa
Bind final package
*Responsibilities subject to revision as project progresses *Additional responsibilities will be assigned as necessary *Any member struggling with their assignment should let others know immediately
final PreSentation
Final presentation will be multi-media Power point consisting of pictures, text, videos, and sound clips
antiCiPateD reSultS
Going into the project, the group intends to keep an open mind so as not to exclude or ignore any relevant information. Even so, most all within our group enter with preconceived notions about the power sexual themes hold on the human mind. In general, everyone agrees that sex is used in the transmission of messages because it’s effective. Still, all members are eager to understand just how sex pitching products works, because although we agree it works, no one can really explain why.