The Conglomerate

This is the beginning of a new era. Art is the most influential thing throughout history and right now, the Internet is destroying the ability of art to turn a profit. The industries that support art, such as music, cinema, and advertising are struggling, as the economy is bad and it is becoming increasingly obvious that it is almost too easy to get things for free (but not necessarily legally) off the World Wide Web. The Conglomerate is here to change that. This collection of artists is poised to change how the world views art. Together, visual artists, directors, musicians, producers, and any other person passionate about the institution of art can work together to create masterpieces beyond anything ever accomplished before. The Conglomerate stands to combine each genre to create something bigger, and use the same resources that are destroying the current industries to revolutionize how art is perceived today. We stand at the edge of a precipice and the Conglomerate is here to make sure that we do not fall.


RGIV

The Changing Face of Advertising

The Changing Face of Advertising
Roger Gant IV

In today’s media fueled society, it is impossible to ignore the constant advertising and marketing that we see on TV, on billboards, and even in popular music. Certainly advertising is a necessity in today’s business society, but to what extent does it become too much? Where are the dynamic, artistic, and ultimately most effective marketing campaigns that define the industry?

I guess it would be useful to explain the campaigns that I’m talking about. These advertisements take a lot of time to be perfected, yet are almost always stunningly simple. For example, the most recent Mac marketing strategy has seemed to be very effective in boosting the sales of Apple products. Their advertisements feature bright colors and music from emerging artists. They showcase the product but do not oversell it, and often use witty dialogue to discredit the competition. The Apple campaigns are well accepted by the population and exemplify how the use of artistic ideals can bolster the overall effect.

Another such campaign is the “Got Milk?” ads. It is a great concept as the celebrities can be interchanged but the message remains constant. It appeals to all ages and almost everybody can distinguish that milk mustache. It is simple, subtle, and not overly expensive; a perfect fit for any outlet. It can be displayed on subways, billboards, Internet advertisements, in magazines, or on the side of a bus. The point is, its easy and effective, making it perfect for reaching a huge audience.

There needs to be a revitalization of the advertising industry. It is no longer enough to just practice repetition or develop catchy phrases; marketing agencies now need to utilize new technologies and new techniques to reach a new audience. Advertising is a constantly changing entity, as the whims of the populous ebb and flow, so the industry has to stay ahead of the game. In fact, if done right, marketing can actually directly influence what people want.

Advertising is an art, and like all other art requires creativity and emotion. It is an outlet for expressing ideas, just in this case being directed at a specific group of people and if done right can help make massive amounts of money. However, it should be appreciated as the dynamic and diverse thing that it is.