Apercu of Media and Marketing genus

Do Power Rangers Still Exist?

Ethan Switch - Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 18:30:39 - print it raw

There once was a time when the Power Rangers were all the rage. TV, comics, toys and all sorts of merchandise. They had the market saturated like any other franchise property. For the past couple of years, their bobbing heads haven't been as prominent—at least in Australia anyway—as they once were at their height. Yet, from a list according the Bandai property, out of the mouths of the Toy Industry Association of America, they've staked the spot of "Boy Toy of the Year" with the Power Rangers Ninja Storm action figure line. They also snatched "Girl Toy of the Year" with Strawberry Shortcake's dollhouse, the Berry Happy Home.

"Strawberry Shortcake and the Power Rangers continue to amaze everyone with their popularity," said Bill Beebe, senior vice president, sales and marketing. "We are extremely proud that two of our top brands' award nominations lead our entrance into this year's holiday season. With Bandai's numerous award-winning toys for both girls and boys, we will keep giving kids what they want to find on the toy shelves."

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Dictators and Dictionaries

Ethan Switch - Monday, December 15, 2003 - 17:10:43 - print it raw

Sunday evening captioners were as stunned as many on the news of Saddam Hussein's capture by US Forces. None seemingly moreso than those handling the ticker at the Seven Network.

During the broadcast of The Legend of Bagger Vance news was filtering through on the find of the Ace of Spades. Late as it was, the name of Saddam Hussein shouldn't have been so foreign. Apparently having rather dimmer than usual spellers operating their news ticker, according to their streams, either a Saddam Hueisin or a Saqddam Hussien was captured.

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Queer Nation Faces Up The Cheese Geezers

Ethan Switch - Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 18:19:43 - print it raw

Two sets of the Australian viewing public will face a challenge to see who enjoys classification and representation in numbers the most. In one closet, the gays, queers, lesbians and generally fashion literate. In the other, those looking for a semblance of redemption following last year's outing on what could only be classed as a general intelligence test.

Taking the place of blood-flavoured rings are quizzes and questions run by the competing television stations, The Q Test: How Queer Are You? by Ten and Test Australia: The National IQ Test 2003 by Nine. Set to test the nation respectively it will no doubt ask the question, are you still using hair gel even though it is no longer 1984?

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Flash Bangs in the Middle of the Naked Man

Ethan Switch - Wednesday, October 29, 2003 - 20:05:34 - print it raw

Walking back to the office blocks and seedy bars in town, the people of Lifefunk have apparently started to collect on the free copy written for their website. Nameless are the insipid reviews and lifeless is the supposed funk.

One of the initial emails that was sent out to prospective writers read, "We'd like to invite you to begin contributing. This involves signing up as a contributor, choosing the assignments you want, and then going out and doing them." A fine statement indeed if ever there was dreck to flood the eyeballs of the starving writers of the world. In an earlier tease the operators, known only as Bona Sijabat and Alison Jones, assured writers that they would provide those who chose to submit — in all that it is known in the dictionary — with referrals and a chance to place extra lines on their portfolio.

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Haunting Dreams of Failure for New Reebok Ad

Ethan Switch - Friday, October 24, 2003 - 20:58:46 - print it raw

Nothing shimmers further for any marketing company than the success of worldwide failure. Even better when the company at hand hides the shortcomings in the failures and fears of more prominent people. Sports players are fine sacrificial cows for this reason. Up to the line in metaphoric basketball, 76ers' Allen 'I Will Cut Your Throat and Spit Down It For the Sheer Rush' Iverson and new ad spots for Reebok's Answer 7.

In the ad, Iverson is disturbed by his mind's replay of missed shots, and awakens with a renewed passion to beat the demons in his dreams. Heading out the door at 5:00 a.m., Iverson bounces the ball in perfect rhythm down the pre-dawn streets of Philadelphia, his team's home turf. Dribbling alongside trains, past barking dogs, in and out of oncoming traffic, and finally up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Iverson displays his dedication to mastering the sport of basketball.

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Modern Armoury and Ancient Threats

Ethan Switch - Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 19:22:15 - print it raw

Bodies dropping dead on both the left and right-wing sections of the community mind mean nothing until they see their houses in the nightly news bulletins. And when that happens the calls to security outfits spike and interest is assumed in the wider spectrum of the neighbourhood.

Given to cause for this speculation comes in the light of the gang styled showdowns—which may ultimately turn out to be over late video returns—splattering bullets across the suburbs of South West Sydney. Fear makes for fine motivation and none exists to drive anything better than the home security market.

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