Kal Reasons December 2023 Public Relations is a broad industry that encompasses hundreds of thousands of different roles to manage a wide variety of tasks. Entry level positions can range from $30,000 to $60,000 a year while senior level openings can top $165,000 a year starting out. Google, CVS, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Walmart, Citigroup, Microsoft, etc. all require heavy PR tactics, but finding the right role can sometimes be a challenge. (68) Public Relations Specialist: On average, PR Specialists make around $60,000 a year managing their clients and their reputations with the public. With over 22,000 jobs available and a 3% unemployment rate, this position is ranked #1 in Best Creative and Media Jobs by US News. Director of Public Relations: This is an advanced level career that oversees external communications that will be broadcast or printed. They make around $105,000 a year, and having a master’s degree would help when trying to find a position. Check out this guide from Indeed for more information. Vice President of Public Relations: This is the highest paying position on this list, with an average annual salary of around $165,000 each year. However, this is a very intense work environment with several needed skills and requirements. This includes advertising, marketing, financial planning, and so much more. According to Zippia, the best location for this role in in Las Vegas with WeCommunications, a company focused on the technology, health, and consumer sectors. Media Relations Consultant: These professionals use their skills in media, writing, marketing, communications, and more to advise businesses and public figures on how to shape and improve their public image. According to Indeed, this position is more flexible at the cost of a higher salary, making only around $50,000 a year. However, this is appealing to many individuals because it offers them the ability to live in areas with a lower cost-of-living and it offers more control over business decisions. Crisis Management: Roles in the field of crisis management can be surprisingly well-paid at over $100,000, as seen on Glassdoor. This may be in part because of the difficult nature of the work. For example, a crisis manager for BP may have to deal with an oil spill and protect the company from public backlash. However, Indeed suggests that the average pay is closer to $60,000, though this depends on factors like geographic location, company, experience, and more. If you are a public relations major, there are a lot of options and careers in the industry to grow and make a good living at the same time. If you would like to see more content like this, make sure to subscribe to my mailing list for updates!

Kal Reasons November 2023 Public Relations agencies offer a variety of services to clients looking to strategically manage their brands. However, some companies are better to work for than others. Let’s look at some options! Edelman: Edelman is one of the largest and recognizable PR firms internationally and is the first $1bn PR firm. With a long-stretching portfolio focused on trust, reputation, and innovation with a creative approach to how they conduct business, they are recognized extensively for their effective methods and employee culture. Some of their major clients have included Samsung, Microsoft, Dove, Adobe, Starbucks, and more. In November 2023, they had an overall rating of 3.6 out of 5 on Glassdoor’s anonymous employee reviews. Their CEO Lisa Osborne Ross has taken initiative since the pandemic, and they employ more than 6,000 people over 60 offices. Weber Shandwick: Known for its strategic and unique methods, Weber Shandwick is a marketing communications firm formed in 2001 that has a strong presence in various industries ranging from technology and healthcare to consumer products. They have a similar Glassdoor ranking of 3.7 out of 5. They have worked with Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Ford as well as many different non-profit organizations. However, there were around two dozen layoffs at the beginning of the year of senior level officials to restructure their offices. They have 4,800 employees globally, so this was potentially a benefit for the agency. FleishmanHillard: FleishmanHillard is a global PR and marketing agency with a strong reputation for creativity and strategic thinking. It has a diverse client base and a presence in multiple countries and a Glassdoor rating of 3.8 out of 5 and was awarded Overall Agency of the Year by PRWeek US for 2023. They have completed work for AT&T, Bayer, Hallmark, PepsiCo, Samsung, and more. M Booth: M-Booth is an award-winning creative communications agency in New York City and San Francisco that is particularly recognized for its work in the consumer lifestyle sector. This includes travel and hospitality, food and beverage, beauty and fashion, and more for clients like American Express, Google, and Unilever. They tie FleishmanHillard with a 3.8 out of 5 on Glassdoor. All these agencies are great places to start a career in public relations! Never be scared to reach out for help with research! Further Research: Edelman Announces Significant Leadership Changes | Edelman Weber Shandwick undergoes layoffs | PR Week Global Top 10 PR Agency Ranking 2022 | PRovoke Media

Kal Reasons November 2023 Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash It is not uncommon for brands to highlight social issues in advertising campaigns to promote their offerings and build loyalty for their target markets. For over a decade, Dove’s campaigns have had many controversial and powerful ads with messages against harmful beauty standards perpetuated by society. In early 2023, the brand released an ad series that featured the story of Mary, an eating disorder survivor. However, many consumers felt Dove simply missed the mark while others found it profoundly compelling. Early Campaigns: In 2004, Dove began to use eating disorder sufferers and survivors to build their brand image while attempting to use their platform to spread awareness about the complicated relationships many women have with their bodies. The development of the “Campaign for Real Beauty” by Ogilvy Advertising was instantly successful. Previously, they had skirted around this idea, but they were completely committed by 2007. 2018: Partnership with Cartoon Network Dove’s Self-Esteem Project joined forces with Cartoon Network in 2018 to create seven different ads for airing along with different resources such as creating a personalized story and other items aimed to promote children’s self-esteem. This series was incredibly popular and successful, and it was a good example of advertisers tackling hard issues in a way that is easily digested by consumers. April 2023: “The Cost of Beauty: A Dove Film” As a part of the Dove Self-Esteem Project, this film was released to raise awareness about toxic beauty content on social media and the negative effects they have on children. This #bodyconfidence film, as they described it, showed Mary’s journey to recovery between the ages of 12 to 19. Although it is meant to be shocking, this ad was criticized heavily for featuring potentially triggering content. Other supporters of the film say it was meant to be shocking and graphic to encourage people to get help and sign a petition to pass a bill focused on reducing this content. This is a very serious topic that is not easy to navigate, so PR professionals must always remain mindful of what they are sharing and how consumers will receive the intended messages. How do you feel about the use of social topics by brands to spread awareness? Further Reading: The good, the bad, and the ugly of the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty | Magazine issue 2/2014 - Issue 19 | In-Mind

Kal Reasons November 2023 LGBTQ+ rights have been a massive hot-button topic for the last several years. When Obergefell v. Hodges was decided on in June 2015, acceptance for queer individuals began to be seen more often in mainstream media. Rainbow capitalism, at its simplest, is the idea of corporations using rainbow logos or posting affirming content while intending on increasing revenue from the target audience of this form of content, the LGBTQ+ community, while ignoring the problematic or discriminatory aspects of their own company. However, there are many factors this issue, including international impact on consumers living in unsafe countries, the continued relevancy of using Pride as a marketable trend in performative manners, and simply being obfuscate about business practices. Local and national Pride events are often sponsored by major corporations. For example, Proctor and Gamble partnered with IHeartRadio and Jojo Siwa to host the “Can’t Cancel Pride,” special, which was a great representation of major celebrities and small individuals in the community. This fundraiser special raised over $11 million and was streamed and listened to by 19.6 million people, even internationally in places where LGBTQ+ media content is banned entirely. Historically, P&G have positioned themselves as an inclusive, safe environment to work in and purchase their offerings through psychological value and monetary value propositions. They have had limited controversies associated with human rights, except for being a current member of the US Chamber of Commerce and an instance in 2004 where they would not clearly state their support for same-sex marriage. They are more openly supportive now because they find it profitable, so they employ various marketing and branding tactics when needed, including using referents, adapting brand elements slightly, or changing various other parts of the portfolio strategy. In turn, I still believe this is an effective form of rainbow capitalism because of its widespread impact and powerful messaging. There are often instances where consumers are priced out of pride merchandise, employees facing harassment for working in retailers like Target for the fact that the merch was on display, and independent creators being subjected to the unsavory aspects of rainbow capitalism. Target ultimately had to pull this merchandise, and this was not a positive for the community. Many kids only have access to major retailers or cannot afford independent creations, and as a result, they lose access entirely. When Bud Light partnered with influencer Dylan Mulvaney, the brand faced a severe negative halo for openly defending transgender rights with this collaboration. For every instance of growth, backtracking in some form or another has been recurrent. However, global purchasing power of the LGBTQ+ community is upwards of $3.7 trillion, so it is incredibly crucial for companies to adapt to the increasing number of diverse people in the world. For this to succeed and not be deemed as performative, corporations must have equitable business practices and an understanding of the social causes they are attempting to represent using their brand. Rainbow capitalism is a subject that has many grey areas; therefore, it is important to continue to examine the impact of rainbow capitalism on a brand on a case-by-case basis. Sources: Obergefell v. Hodges :: 576 U.S. ___ (2015) :: Justia US Supreme Court Center Before You Rain on Rainbow Capitalism - Harvard Political Review (harvardpolitics.com) P&G | iHeartRadio - Can't Cancel Pride (cantcancelpride.com) Your Rainbow Logo Doesn’t Make You an Ally (hbr.org) BE SEEN. BE HEARD. BE PROUD. | P&G (pg.com) Procter & Gamble | Snopes.com Procter & Gamble: The Ugly Truth (PG) | Seeking Alpha PG.TradeAssociation.Dues.2022.pdf (ctfassets.net) Timeline of LGBTQ+ Representation in Advertising - QuickFrame

Kal Reasons November 2023 When considering popular children’s shows in modern media, Bluey has quickly become one of the standouts, even for people not in the target market. How did Joe Brumm and his team at Ludo Studio manage to produce such a powerhouse brand? By having a show that simultaneously teaches parents new skills while giving their children the opportunity to learn valuable life lessons, it captivates audiences with intricate storytelling while touching on hard topics in an easy-to-digest manner. However, as an Australian show, being able to launch an international platform was no easy task. Establishing media deals with Disney+, creating merchandise for major retailers along with many new licensing agreements and collaborations, social media traction from fans celebrating the show, and even a new video game have all helped fortify Bluey as a brand with a loyal consumer base. Ludo Studio produces Bluey for ABC Kids and is co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios. Even though they are funded by the Australian government, they lacked the ability to distribute their show internationally. By partnering with Disney+ through a global broadcasting deal, they have been able to launch themselves into homes in the UK, North America, and Latin America. This deal did come with a censorship agreement on several episodes, which has angered fans only able to stream the show through Disney+. Building on that, their portfolio also boasts a prolific assortment of all kinds of merchandise imaginable with 30 new partners brought on this year alone. One shopping experience with CAMP will launch on November 6 at their LA store with an interactive shopping experience through Bluey’s house with a guided tour. However, part of their strategy also has included some legal battles with a lawsuit cracking down on any unauthorized usage of Bluey’s image in merchandise made by independent sellers. Some of their strategies have worked better than others, but they have all led to success for the brand. On social media, fans have created groups dedicated to appreciating the show, viral posts featuring clips frequently circulate all major platforms, and the brand boasts millions of followers and generates even more impressions on their content. The team interacts with fans to boost engagement, and they utilize professional software such as Procreate, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere, Emplifi, Sprinklr, YouTube Analytics and Tubular. One of my favorite trends is the Duck Cake, and my son asked for one for his next birthday. Their new game will be able to generate the kind of revenue BBC Studios has been aiming for, and many fans are incredibly excited for the extension of the brand while the show is currently on hiatus. Bluey’s journey as a brand began as a simple concept that has now become an international sensation. It’s a wonderful inspiration to keep dreaming and to continue working to be the best forms of ourselves possible while conquering our daily lives. By successfully navigating distribution, merchandising, and licensing deals, creating multiple channels of communication and interaction with their consumer base, and fostering a sense of care into each episode, Bluey has become one of the greatest shows of our generation. Sources: “Bluey” Reclaims The Top Of The Nielsen Streaming Chart – What's On Disney Plus (whatsondisneyplus.com) Bluey - Ludo (ludostudio.com.au) BBC Studios expands Bluey global licensing programme - Media Centre How the Brits stole the rights to Bluey (afr.com) Kidscreen » Archive » BBC Studios to launch a Bluey retail experience with CAMP BBC Studios Kids & Family grows "Bluey" licensing strategy - Señal News (senalnews.com) Bluey Lawsuit Cracks Down on Amazon, eBay, Everyone - Inside the Magic

Kal Reasons October 2023 McDonald’s has recently shifted their target audience to be more adult-oriented, stepping away from their iconic PlayPlaces, reducing birthday parties, and changing the branding kit to be more muted without the zany characters that they once relied on heavily. Personally, I think this is an absolute travesty for the corporation; growing up, it was one of my favorite things in the world to sit at the themed tables while eating my food. However, one item that is still fighting to keep its place using childhood wonder and nostalgia is the Happy Meal. With major licensing deals with movies, TV shows, and various toy brands, the Happy Meal has become a multi-billion-dollar product that generates a large part of McDonald’s income, but it has become the only child-friendly aspect of most of their franchises. Recently, their collaboration with the Pokémon brand has brought collectors flocking for a chance to collect fifteen exclusive cards along with a limited edition Pickachu box through the Match Battle event. This is one of my favorite collaborations, and I will even buy myself a Happy Meal for lunch for a chance to help my kids complete their collection. It’s incredibly emotionally driven, and consequently, becomes the dominating brand for children when helping decide where to eat. Sometimes, these partnerships do have a resulting brand dilution or negative halo. For example, if a toy is not well-made or a movie is bad, this reflects on both corporations. PR professionals working for the company must decide very carefully which collaborations to pursue and which promotions to market. The packaging of Happy Meals have been unable to be replicated by other corporations but have become increasingly simple without the same games they once had. As a result of making the meals healthier, they reduced the amount of sodium while also reducing the amount of food provided overall. This is a fantastic idea with poor execution. Before the pandemic, they had a collaboration with Go-Gurt and Cuties, both healthier options that still allowed the meal to be complete and could substitute the fries entirely. My 4-year-old almost always wants something else afterwards, so I must order more food or plan around that issue. My 12-year-old has aged out of them almost entirely. McDonald’s needs to shift their focus to drawing more children back into the company because parents will consequently spend more money as a result. In my opinion, focusing too heavily on the McCafé products and trying to elevate the brand to be a more affordable option than Starbucks to draw in more young couples has been successful, but this repositioning has also had many drawbacks. Many of these changes have come because of the pandemic, but McDonald’s has the resources overall to ensure that their facilities stay sanitized and safe for their customers. I feel as though they are becoming complacent with a product they initially did not want, which could lead to issues in coming years. By continuing with powerful collaborations, marketing to both parents and children, and creating a clean, safe environment with free activities and healthy food options, McDonald’s will be able to increase their profits significantly with a large return-on-investment. Sources: McDonald's Makes More Happy Meal Changes, Bringing It Closer To A Healthy Meal (forbes.com) The Happy Meal inventor says McDonald's didn't want it at first | CNN Business This May Be Why McDonald's PlayPlaces Are Vanishing | Reader's Digest (rd.com)

Kal Reasons November 2023 From the invention of modern gaming, public relations professionals have played a significant role in the success of different companies and their subsequent brands. Acting as intermediaries between the public and the companies creating the products, gaming company professionals often manage public image in very intentional ways. Feeding into console wars, continually adapting to competing brand technologies, communicating with consumers through conferences, emails, ads, and more, and using networking to build substantial public growth and brand loyalty are all part of the massive industry success of brands such as Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo. Nintendo is owned by JP Morgan and Chase, Xbox is owned by Microsoft, and PlayStation is owned by Sony; all these companies are owned in large part by Vanguard and Blackrock. This means that these brands compete by name because most of their profits go directly back to these two companies and is consistent with a multi-brand strategy. By keeping these brands separated, the gaming industry can separate consumers by styles and interest, and then these tactics lead to each brand building business through healthy levels of competition. Consequently, console wars are really a strategy used by these companies to establish further loyalty to the point of dependency by playing on emotions such as fear, pride, anxiety, apprehension, etc. These brands each have a unique imagery with separate company values, relying on concepts such as self-expression to position themselves in consumers’ minds. Through events at various conferences internationally, packaging and product design choices, brand referents, brand media, and more strategic tactics, the gaming industry establishes various brands in their own respective categories while avoiding a negative halo associated with the other brands. For example, Xbox is Green, PlayStation is Blue, and Nintendo is Red. They each have unique system operations, colors, and controllers, but they all follow a similar business model. If one company has any issues that affect their stock, then the other brands can fill in and take a competitive advantage. All these instances are evidence of the impact that Public Relations and branding have on the gaming industry. Sources: Press Play on PR: Public Relations in the Gaming Industry | Pressfarm Who Owns Microsoft: The Largest Shareholders Overview - KAMIL FRANEK Business Analytics Top JPMorgan Chase Shareholders (investopedia.com) Nintendo Co., Ltd. : Shareholders Board Members Managers and Company Profile | JP3756600007 | MarketScreener

Kal Reasons September 2023 Facebook monetization is not a new concept. Since 2004, the company has generated some form of ad revenue while continuously adapting to the changing demands of the public as well as brand sponsors. However, over the last year, there have been many changes that have caused creators to need to reevaluate their brands and adapt to the new model. Some of these changes include the removal of the Facebook and Instagram Reels Performance Bonus and the modification to overlay and in-stream ads. These changes would be quite extensive to explain in depth, so this paper will focus mostly on Facebook’s Performance Bonus. With the performance bonus, creators are pushed to have an oversaturated feed to maintain eligibility requirements and exuberant amounts of interactions to profit from their efforts oftentimes. Currently, Facebook’s performance bonus is an invitation-only program that tells creators they can earn up to $30,000 in thirty days for simply posting their usual content on their pages. It applies to text posts, images, long-form videos, and even short-form videos (with less marked success than with the Reels bonus due to a heavier focus on ad overlays) which allows creators to have a wide variety of options to profit. On average, the way monetization is calculated is a formula based on the reach of public content. This varies greatly depending on the number of impressions versus actual interactions. As a result, creators often are unable to properly analyze their reach until after their first month of being in the program with limited stability. There are also various other achievement-based bonuses that Facebook aims to use to provide these different options. Meta needs to adapt Facebook’s monetization through the performance bonus program to be more reliable and consistent for creators rather than focusing on sheer numbers. Having ad overlays is okay, but if overdone, it can drive users to other video-sharing apps, which ultimately is counterintuitive. Understanding creator needs while balancing consumer experience will lead to better profits for the company and individual creators alike. Overall, monetization of content through Facebook’s bonus programs is a great way for new creators to earn a side income from their typical usage of the site, and it will be interesting to see how the changes over the next several years affect both parties when it comes to content creation. Source Links: Meta will stop offering Reels bonuses to creators on Facebook and Instagram | TechCrunch Check and Maintain Your Monetization Eligibility | Meta for Business | Facebook Helping Content Creators Diversify Revenue on Facebook | Meta | Facebook How to get started with Facebook’s Performance bonus program | Meta Business Help Center

Kal Reasons August 2023 After almost two years of waiting since its initial announcement, Max’s August 31 release of the Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake spin-off series has instantly satiated fans' desires for more information about plotlines that were left unfinished in the two initial series. The journey to release has been a long one, with audiences analyzing every piece of advertising related to the show, with the first trailer released at San Diego Comic-Con in late July. This sparked massive internet debates regarding various lore, characters that have been brought back, and behind-the-scenes development on how Max is changing the Cartoon Network Studios process and what that means for the branding of the show. Following gender-bent versions of the characters Finn the Human and Jake the Dog, the heroines of the story end up in the remarkable Land of Ooo, where magic is real, and from there, they go on a variety of adventures. There are various hints about returning characters, potential villains, and the appearance of more adult themes targeting the aging demographic that grew up with Adventure Time. I think this is a fantastic adaptation so far, without listing spoilers too heavily. They stuck to the original art style with references galore for fans to nitpick. My youngest son was named FinnLee in part because his brother, father, and I bonded significantly over the original series, and I am thankful it is maintaining the same level of depth and relatability while being watchable as a family. This is a very difficult balance for most children’s shows to achieve, which is why Adventure Time is so encapsulated as an iconic show for anyone who watches. However, it is important to recognize the changes in the company’s climate due to their issues with the SAG-AFTRA strikes and their multi-billion-dollar merger with Warner Bros. Discovery along with their recent rebrand. These have all been major hits for Max as a streaming service, which is why animation is going to be a big advertising point for the company overall. Many of their movies and shows that bring in the viewership they need are at risk of being dropped altogether, and certain stipulations prevent most animation unions from going on strike with the actors and writers. Fans and creators alike have been upset by the merger causing the shut-down of many different shows in production and the movement of Cartoon Network Studios from their Burbank location that they have been at since the 90s. For Fionna and Cake, other fans have been upset by the lack of return of the character Prismo’s voice actor, Kumail Nanjiani, but most of the show has avoided major controversy or issues. As a longtime fan, I am grateful that a major streaming service is continuing with a story that had many loose ends left behind during the original series finale. Max, as a company overall, I have my own bad preconceptions of, which affect their brand image as a result. If they ensure they are paying attention to audience feedback on major social media platforms, they will have a better chance to create quality content with happy production teams and the profit margins they want. Will that happen? It’s not a certainty when a brand as large as Max has such large breadth their individual customer relationships suffer for the sake of profits. In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy this little bit more of some of the greatest characters ever created to me. Sources Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake: Kumail Nanjiani Says He Didn’t Receive Offer To Reprise Prismo Role In ‘Adventure Time: Fionna And Cake’: “They Never Told Me” (msn.com) ‘Adventure Time’: Who Are Fionna and Cake? (collider.com) Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake Season 1 Trailer - YouTube Max: WarnerMedia and Discovery have completed their mega-streaming merger - The Verge SAG Actors Strike FAQ: Who’s Affected, What’s Allowed, More – The Hollywood Reporter 'Heartstopper' Writer Gives Season 3 Update During SAG, WGA Strikes (usmagazine.com) Cartoon Network Studios to Move Out of Storied Burbank Headquarters | Animation Magazine

Kal Reasons October 2023 Dr. Pepper is a household soda brand that has been distributing beverages to consumers for over a century. Inspiring knock-off brands, creating legal battles, and forging partnerships with other major brands such as Coca-Cola and Keurig have helped lead to their immense success. However, their extensive advertising campaigns are also major contributing factors. One character that has debatable success has been Lil’ Sweet, played by Jeff Guarini beginning in 2015. As a mascot for Diet Dr. Pepper originally, Lil’ Sweet’s image as a “tiny rockstar” has been both memorable and despised by some consumers while representing the brand. Appearing in commercials and web campaigns such as “The One You Deserve,” the American Idol runner-up is living out his singing sensation dreams, just not in the way he anticipated. In 2015, he was struggling to find work and had two young children, so he turned down the initial audition. Because of the pushing of his manager, however, he went through with it. In one interview, he described his struggles in the industry with being noticed and finding momentum and how he just acted like a fool because he did not care anymore. This was what Dr. Pepper was looking for, and Lil’ Sweet was born. Using quippy sound marks such as “It’s the Sweet One,” gawdy attire that is meant to be an amalgamation of every 80’s rocker trend with a bright maroon wig, and a high-pitched falsetto in a variety of circumstances helps build a larger perspective around humor targeted towards middle-aged adults. Personally, I have always been loyal to the Dr. Pepper brand to the point I don’t drink any other sodas. However, I am relatively neutral when it comes to Lil’ Sweet. He is memorable, but for me, he can be more irritating than funny at times. This could be in part because of an extensive saturation of the same gimmick to try to create another Flo or Jake, but I do not feel it’s as effective without being constantly adaptable. Boxing Lil’ Sweet into only being an 80s rocker without other memorable surrounding cast members makes it difficult to not become stale very quickly. (For a successful campaign in the 18-35yo demographic, check out Yung Gravy’s collab with the brand.) While I do not like the Lil’ Sweet character entirely, he has been successful for both the company and collaborators. I appreciate Dr. Pepper’s risk in trying to make humor the focus and it branches out past their typical sports-oriented advertising campaigns. By sparking conversation and using a memorable brand image, Lil’ Sweet has become the iconic character Dr. Pepper sought to create. What do you think about the character? Sources: DR. PEPPER IS SUING COKE ON TRADEMARK - The New York Times (nytimes.com) Dr Pepper TV Spot, 'The One You Deserve' Featuring Justin Guarini - iSpot.tv Justin Guarini Makes Silly Return to Dr. Pepper Commercials as Lil' Sweet (talentrecap.com) Dr Pepper Lil Sweet Commercials Compilation Justin Guarini - YouTube Justin Guarini reveals how he became Lil' Sweet - YouTube Lil' Sweet (Advertising) - TV Tropes

Kal Reasons October 2023 Food Network is a media production giant that creates powerhouse industry leaders and shows that often play across millions of households. Chopped is one of their highlighted shows that uses a repeat formula of three-course rounds featuring baskets of four random ingredients that has lasted over a decade and is well-known amongst professional chefs and food enthusiasts. Over 54 seasons and multiple spin-offs, Chopped has achieved great success for Food Network and competitors aiming for the $10,000 grand prize. With immense memorability, the Chopped brand has used specific tactics to identify and differentiate their show from others to viewers, positioned the brand in multiple contexts, and maintained the optimal value proposition to become the phenomenon it is today. When Chopped initially started airing in 2009, it was not expected to become the infamous brand it has now. However, with some very strategic decisions made by producers, it has become an iconic entity with a brand design that is loved by many. Their use of identifiers such as their logo, set design, soundmark swoosh in between scenes, and name have become a massive part of their image. Ted Allen, the host of almost every episode, is one of my all-time favorite reality show hosts. He stands alongside a cast of circulating chefs that sit as judges, and they represent the referents that make up a majority of the show’s image. These facts tie into the many contexts they exist under, and weave together their brand identity. The use of psychological and monetary values brings in new competitors and viewers frequently. As a result, they have economic, technological, sociocultural, regulatory, and physical contexts that shape the way episodes are filmed, who is allowed to compete, what ingredients are used, what changes in other countries, etc. By capitalizing on their successful navigation of any contextual restrictions, Chopped has achieved a relatively successful Optimal Value Proposition as a brand. In this instance, the customers are the viewers, collaborators are the judges and competitors, and the company is Chopped as a branded company under Food Network with a high-perceived value. Competition shows, food-related or not, can learn positive lessons from the branding of Chopped. Establishing multiple areas of value can create brand loyalty, thus increasing viewership and reach. Creating a stable brand image through repeated, detail-oriented formulaic episodes prevents cognitive uncertainty. This also allows for viewers to know that when they watch Chopped, they will be seeing the same style every time with occasional specials to mix things up. Ultimately, Chopped has effectively created a memorable brand positioning and image within viewers’ minds that has allowed for their continued success. Sources: (9) Food Network "Chopped" Promo - YouTube Chopped | Food Network

Nov 30, 2023 Unveiling the Golden Arches Legacy 🍟🍔 Join us on a journey through the iconic history, delicious innovations, and global impact of McDonald's. From the first drive-thru to the iconic Big Mac, discover how this beloved brand has shaped the way the world enjoys fast food. For my Advertising and Strategic Media class, I completed this assignment for a mock Happy Meal Expansion Plan, along with this YouTube presentation! I would love for my ideas to eventually be used someday.