The Time Has Come

Unfortunately, my time in London has come to an end. This trip was truly an amazing experience and I wouldn’t change a thing.  I loved the time I spent here and the people I spent it with.   Two weeks seemed to fly by! I learned a lot about myself as a person and a professional.  I made a little video to show you what I mean!

My Video

UK Update!

I can’t believe I have been in London almost a week! After scoping the city, I have begun to notice the advertising over here.  There are definitely significant similarities and differences between the U.S. and the UK when it comes to advertising.

I have to say they are much more “free” with their advertisements.  By “free” I mean, they are more provocative than in the U.S.   Below I have posted an example of a British advertisement to show what I mean by “free”.

UK ad – a little provocative for the US? This is an ad for ice cream!

For example, a group of us were on a bus and we passed a billboard that said, “I love sex.  I hate condoms. I love Skins.”  I was shocked because something like that would never fly in the U.S.!  Clearly it was a billboard for condoms, but it is just interesting that the UK has a more open-minded approach to advertising.   Now here’s a U.S. ice cream advertisement…

US ice cream ad – a little less intense!

A few years ago when I was in London with my family, I saw a bus drive by that had an advertisement reading, “We love our boobies!” – it was an ad for breast cancer research and support.  It is interesting how two countries that both speak English are very culturally different, especially when it comes to advertising.

The UK uses shock and horror more in advertising as well.  A classmate was smoking and I noticed a very horrendous picture of a tumor on someone’s neck on the actual cigarette package.  In the U.S., vivid images like that would never be posted on something so easily purchased in the store.

I’m really satisfied with the research I have done so far and with the information I have collected.  I think I will be happily pleased with my findings once I tie all my information together.

Pictures: UK Ice Cream

US Ice Cream

London, We Have Arrived

We finally made it, safe and sound.  It didn’t really hit me until we got here that my twenty-three classmates and I are in London! I have been to London before and knew what to expect, but it has been a few years. It’s so nice to be back again.  Below is one of the first pictures I took while exploring the city this time around.

Big Ben!

I can summarize my feelings of this place quite succinctly: I love this city.  We are staying in Clerkenwell, a really nice neighborhood just outside of London.   A few girlfriends and I have gone to the city to see the London Eye and Big Ben.  We ventured from there to Buckingham palace and St. James’s Park.   We enjoyed a Sunday afternoon in Covent Garden and I must say I fell in love.  There is so much energy, great shops and awesome buildings.  The streets are filled with performers, ice cream vans and of course, people.  By far, Covent Garden is my favorite spot we have visited.

The London Eye – we haven’t ridden it…yet!

The Queen’s Jubilee (her 60^th year on the throne) is around the time that we are here.  There is tons of memorabilia for the event and I have already bought some, because I love the royal family – of course.

I’m excited for the rest of our trip and cannot wait to see what London has in store for me and my classmates!

Here are a few links to the places I hope to visit….
Westminster Abbey
Windsor Castle
Hampton Court
Globe Theater

The Time Has Come!

Our departure date for London is approaching and I couldn’t be more excited.  After a semester of extensive research, I narrowed down my area of expertise to advertising laws and regulations in the United States.  I was able to find information about such laws and regulations as they apply to tobacco, alcohol, gambling and weight loss ads.  These ads are regulated mainly by the FCC and FTC, and have very specific guidelines. It will be exciting to compare and contrast the information I learned about US regulations to UK laws and regulations.

London Awaits!

I’ve learned that abiding by these laws are crucial to the success of a campaign.  By choosing to break these laws, companies put themselves at risk for penalties.  I’m glad I chose this topic because I am taking advertising law next semester and that course will be a great extension of my work this semester.

I don’t think the reality of going to London will hit me until I’m at the airport, or maybe when I start packing – something I need to start ASAP.  Either way, I can’t wait for this adventure to begin!

Tourism – Exploring Castles and Palaces

I cannot wait to explore the history and royal lineage of London.  I am interested in all the rich history London has to offer.  I think the most exciting part for me will be exploring the castles and palaces, while keeping my eye out for the royal family!

I made a short video to preview some of the castles I would love to visit.

London Calling

My first experience with London was amazing.  My family went on a ten-day excursion that included sightseeing, shopping, dining and learning about the city itself.  Having the opportunity to go to London again is something I’ve dreamed of ever since my first visit.  Not only do I find the sights and culture appealing, I am also excited to explore the business aspect of the United Kingdom’s culture.  This trip to London will give me time to explore the city while I investigate advertising regulations and standards for the United Kingdom.

The video below shows you a little sneak peek of the places I hope to visit!

I am also excited about exploring outside London to others areas, such as, Camden, Clerkenwell and Greenwich.  I want to visit parks and gardens to really experience all that London has to offer.  There is no language barrier in London, provided the people there can understand my strange Pittsburgh accent, making the experience easier and more enjoyable.  London has a rich history and so exploring its timeline will be educational.   I cannot wait to spend two weeks with my classmates and professors while experiencing once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity.

Project Plan

David Ogilvy, an advertising executive, said, “A good advertisement is one which sells the product without drawing attention to itself.”   The very first newspaper advertisement ran in 1704.  Throughout history, advertisements have adjusted to fit current cultures and times.  Just take a look at an old 7-Up advertisement below. A baby drinking 7-Up, oh how times have changed!  I want to investigate the regulations and standards involved in creating these advertisements, as well as looking at the history for these regulations and standards.

An old advertisement - oh how times have changed!

My project focuses on advertisements in the United States and the United Kingdom.  I am mainly researching the regulations and strategies used to create advertisements.   Why are advertisements so important? The average American sees anywhere between 200 and 2,000 advertisements per day.  I am studying how advertisements are created, why they are created and what regulations are involved in the creative process.

I find this area of study interesting for many reasons.  I am an advertising major so I am interested in the creativity and execution of advertisements.  Advertising is the union of business and creativity – making it the ideal combination for me.  I find all aspects of advertising interesting, from inception to execution.  Advertisements act as a fuel for the economy by promoting products for consumers to purchase.  Without advertisements, consumers would be lost in an endless sea of products; never knowing which one best suits them.  Thinking back to the pictured 7-Up advertisement, we can see how basic advertisements used to be.  Now take a look at the bus advertisement below.  It really is an amazing difference in style, technology and delivery.

Amazing!

I think it’s important to evaluate and analyze advertisements as they play an important role in the economy.   Since ads are used all over the world, they help stimulate a global economy.  The most important part of this project will be the study of US and UK regulations for ads.  By analyzing the regulations involved in creating ads, I will be able to gain an international perspective on the business aspect of advertising. I am interested in just how different are the regulations in the US and UK regarding ads.  I am also looking forward to analyzing  the similarities and differences of ad execution strategies between the US and UK.

Advertisements have changed over time.  They have grown to become more involved and thorough and now have many more styles of delivery, from buses to airplanes and more.  I want to learn the rules and regulations of ads and why or why not certain elements can be included in an advertisement.

 

Pictures are from: 7-Up Ad

Snake Bus Ad