Week 1: READING Convergence Culture Part 3

(click title above to see video of Terry Fator's performance last night, August 5, 2009)

The image above is one I took with my camera last night from the television during America's Got Talent to which I am a loyal!

Chapter 2 "Idol"

I don't Idol but I do America's Got Talent (A.G.T)! Same producer - same concept - same Lovemarks-getting viewers and participants "hooked" to a product or company. Personally I don't "feel" lovemarks; they are annoying and exacerbating to me! Matter-of-fact while watching A.G.T. my and I mute the television during commercials or visits to the Orville Redenbacher room, which is red and I sometimes wonder if it is the same red room they use for the Coke lovemarks in Idol.

The Apprentice, however, did possess effective lovemarks since the wanna-be apprentices had to actually market a product or company, and watching them plan, discuss, argue, and present their pitch was an interesting process for me. BUT I did not run out and buy the product nor did I support the participating companies more. Could I be exempt from lovemarks because I am somewhat cynical and older? This particular sales idea reminds me a great deal of the ever so popular informercials.

I am a zapper mostly I think; however there are instances when I am a loyal (as mentioned above). For instance, I love the aforementioned A.G.T., Seinfeld, Frazier, Judge Judy, and most old re-runs of The Andy Griffin Show, Alf, and the like. Even as a loyal though, I still mute the television during commercials much to Jenkins' (2006) chagrin as he states, "Loyals are twice as likely to pay attention to advertisements, and two to three times more likely to remember product categories..." (p.76).

I found it a tad bit ironic that Jenkins (2006) mentioned the Super Bowl Ads on page 87, when I had actually written a note about that on page 67. This would be one time when I personally are more interested in the ads than the game--unless of course the Dallas Cowboys are playing.

As I read this chapter, I wondered about internet voting. Why can't we do that? Will we ever?

I must admit that I have noticed lovemarks and interactivity in another of my favorite (loyal) shows, Deal or no Deal. Not only do I scream at the contestants as they decide what to do, I go online to play the Beat the Banker game (who wouldn't want a change at $10,000 to $50,000!), I have purchased the board game, and play the online Deal or no Deal game but not often. The lovemarks come into play when companies like Sears offer $10,000 to the contestant and the person holding the case with their logo inside. Sneaky, but it does put the company name imprint into the minds of the viewers and participants subconsciously as they enjoy the game, thus associating enjoyment with the Sears name and products.

Citations

Fancast.com. (2009). America's Got Talent:

Terry Fator's appearance (season 4, episode

22) [linked video]. Retrieved August 6,

2009, from http://www.fancast.com/tv/

Americas-Got-Talent/2116/1206445756

/Terry-Fators-Appearance/videos

Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence culture:

When old and new media collide.

New York: New York University Press.

Wyckoff, D. (2009). America's got talent [photo].

Taken August 5, 2009, from NBC broadcast

8:00 PM CST.