Pepsi or Coke?

 Product: Pepsi

 Year: 2002
 BBDO-Barton, Durstine & Osborn.

I remember when this ad came out and just stopping and watching the television. I think the reason why I liked it was because it was selling a product, but it really gave me something to watch. It is almost like watching a music video. It gets my attention because of the singing and dancing but also because of Britney Spears. I remember at the time of the ad she was huge and it seemed like she was everywhere. The puffery I noticed is in the lyrics of the song. “The joy of Pepsi” is actually a statement that isn’t really logical or true because I don’t think just by drinking Pepsi it will bring joy to your life. Maybe your life will be better for a second and you will be joyous because you are no longer thirsty.
The ad I think is not only selling Pepsi products, but also Britney Spears. If you watch it they do play off of her sex appeal. There is a close up of her abs. Also, I think the way she is dressed and her make up is done gives the impression that she is a form of perfection so drinking Pepsi will help you to be like her.
The ad I think was first shown during the super bowl. If the appeal was to target a diverse group I think they succeeded, because even people that never watch football will watch the Super Bowl. I also think that the ad was later shown during television shows that targeted teens. I remember seeing the ad on MTV, so I do think they had a specific age group to target and probably specific girls like me.
I don’t think I gave in and bought the product because I have always loved coke. However, I did love the commercials and I always thought Pepsi was pretty creative with their advertising.

Rift

Rift Fournier
Lindenwood has the pleasure of having an amazing professor, and story teller right here on it’s main campus. A man by the name of Rift Fournier a professor in the Communications department is charming, insightful, and full of personality. Rift told our class he got his name as a result of a fight between his parents. Just like his name Rift is unique in many ways.
He talked to our class about the importance of reading in life and in the media profession. Rift also mentioned to our class that because of technological advances he would not be surprised if the book industry eventually is completely electronic.


Rift talked to us about having original ideas when writing and he made the comment “The best creative people know how to steal.” He made it clear he was not talking about plagiarism but realizing that you gather ideas from what you read and what you are exposed to. He also mentioned how he believes life in the Mid West is very beneficial because you are surrounded by the world and different life styles.
Rift shared with our class his past and what lead him to where he is now. He told us about when he first went to college he was majoring in pre-medicine and by the end of the first year reconsidered. He also told us about how he tried law school and was of the top students in his class and then during his junior year decided it was not for him.
Aside from interesting education changes Rift also told us about working as a deputy and working in the city morgue. Both jobs I am sure inspired some stories in his writing.


When Rift went to New York and wrote comedy he learned that if you want the job, you need to be creative. In his own words “Impress the hell outta somebody.” When we talked about television and the changes that have occurred that are in the process of changing Rift noted the obvious changes in content of television but he also mentioned the idea of no longer having local television. We are such a internet age that television is bound to change. When offering advice about writing for television Rift said, “Make stuff audiences like and you will do well.”
“The biggest secret to being successful is being open” said Rift. I could not agree with this statement more and I think it is a big part of what we are learning as college students. Be open.