"Vogue's Eye View"

Vogue Magazine was published in 1892 by Arthur B. Turnure. For years Vogue's consumer population was very low. However, things changed during WWII, because ads placed in newspapers and magazines, such as Vogue were needed to support the war and to change the lifestyles of women from every area in America.

Vogue being well known by upper-class women, for their elite taste on fashion and lifestyle in order to create that Vogue woman; WWII was a great opportune time to spread their knowledge of media propaganda to upper-class women to support the war, take care of home, and look good while doing it!

In the article entitled "Vogue's Eye View Of A Woman's Weapons", really showed the lifestyles of how women should live during the war. What I liked about the article was that the Vogue's ideal woman had weapons of her own at the time.

"I am a woman, and I have two major weapons. I have my hands. I have my heart." ( Condenast Publications, Vogue 1942)

With these two weapons she could do it all, cook, clean, fix a car, take out the garbage, and be a good wife, while her husband was at war. This article also showed a sense of equality towards women because, their role of being a stay at home mom had changed. Vogue's ideal woman took on the manly duties because no one else could.

This article was issued to utilize media propaganda to have the Vogue woman support the war and to mold them into a new lifestyle of independence.

Todays Freedom

This ad, struck me in a way where i felt offended. I don't think his was a powerful ad. Maybe it had a mark around the time it was first produced, however if this ad was put in one of today's magazines or newspapers. I don't think it would have a pleasant response from the citizen's of today's America.

Hopefully, I wouldn't see a list of dead ad wounded soilder, because that's an intimate subject among their family members however, if I were to see one, my prayers go out to them, their family and friends.

...You may think i take my "freedom" for granted, I don't. I do realize and understand people from all over the world fight to come and reside in America. But I also know that since we live in America other Americans, who aren't "at the front" have no business asking me "what did [I] do for freedom?" knowing well off that they sure didn't commit a Nobel Prize to save a life, or start up any "Citizens Service Corp."

A Crises Is A Terrible Thing to Waste

In David Boaz's article "Obama's Shock Doctrine," he likens the current activity of government spending and expansion over the market to what Naomi Klein described in her book of the same name as Shock Doctrine. In her book, she claims that government conservatives have successfully used times of war and economic crises to ram through policies of free market. In Boaz's article he claims that same strategy is being used by democrats and liberals in the current economic crises. He ultimatly contends that Obama is using this crises to "ram through a progressive agenda."

As this modern day depression carries on, the current administration has passed a stimulus bill for over 700 billion dollars, have nationalized some of the countries largest financial institutions and made wards out of large corporations. As White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel stated, "You never want a serious crises to go to waste." This administrations attempts to expand the government is not without precedent.

Historian Rick Perlstein said that during FDR's first hundred days he "hurled down executive orders and legislative proposals like thunderbolts." He also noted that Roosevelt did not stop for almost four years. As the attempts to solve the crises carry on, Obama's administration has already exceeded that of New Deal spending and although a confident front is being provided by President Obama, a skeptical public is anxious to see the results of the spending and the reform they expect, even when both were said to be slow to show.

Obama has faced almost unanimous opposition from the Republican Party on his plans making it even more essential that he be able to keep a worried public calm, and more importantly patient if his plans have any chance to succeed.

War-time advertising

Advertisement is considered to be one of the greatest inventions of the United States, that undoubtedly changed the whole world. The famous sociologist Andrew Hacker called advertisement 'the most important instrument in the country' (Hacker, 1997). In general, advertisement is considered to be a phenomenon of the 20th, century.

Having fought in the 1930's with the consumer movement, the advertisement industry saw new beginnings with the start of the Second World War. Due to the lack of products available on the consumer market, the government decided to the help of the advertisement industry. The setup of an advertisement agency, participation of government in the development of advertising companies, and other measures taken at this time, all helped in the creation of a successful PR campaign aimed at the formation of a stronger advertisement industry within the United States. The advertisement agency is considered the most successful instrument of this PR campaign, as with its help the advertisement industry was able to reduce its tax burden, create a positive image of it, and hide its deficiencies from the public, while as create a strong connection with both the politicians and the general public.

The work of the Advertisement companies during the years of the war helped in the creation of a patriotic image of the advertisement industry in the eyes of the populous. Thanks to the Advertisement Comity, the Second World War strengthened the position of the advertisement industry both in politics and in the hearts of the population.

King Consumer

In Ewen's PR!, Public Ultimatums describes the renewed found confidence in American Business . There was a sense of cautious optimism, similar to the First World War; there was a significant amount using the propaganda campaign with writers, broadcasters, moviemakers, publicists and other media experts. During the postwar era businesses wanted to wake the American people. They addressed people by using wartime advertising. They needed to gain the loyalty of workers was very important in Big businesses while regaining the control and direction of American society. Without a doubt the strength of America’s corporate economy in the late forties created welfare capitalist programs health care privately. There was an attack on the New Deals principals America experienced an economic explosion which supported big business and have the ability to provide meaningful business opportunity and government funded programs. The shift was evident in the forties, private builders and real estate interest crafted a big PR campaign against federally sponsored housing programs. During the post war period great change had taken place class conflict had become out dated.


“People in “moderate income families” the magazine tooted, had radios; electric sewing machines; refrigerators; vacuum cleaners; automobiles; insurance; medical, dental, surgical, and hospital care; and so forth….it is perfectly evident from the above list, that it is not the capitalist who are using the people, but the people who are using the capitalists.” (p. 372 PR!)

Corporations focused on financial gains, “American consumers had become kings and queens and corporations, their humble servants.” (p.372 PR!)
-EF

Roosevelt for Greater Good

in Chapter 12 of Stuart Ewen's PR, he describes the close connection President Roosevelt held with the idea od conversation with the public. This is best expressed when he writes:

"To ensure this flow and to further his commitment to "Jeffersonian" principles, Roosevelt would promote the federal government not merely as an instrument of "directive intelligence," but as a "clearing house for the exchange of information and ideas, of facts and ideals, affecting the general welfare." The government would rather opinions from around the nation, he pledged, and disseminate ideas for greater good. In a historic battle between the vested interests and the forces of democracy, FDR was looking for a "modern substitute for the old town meeting, and the talk around the stove." (Ewen pg 242)

Roosevelt was one of the first Presidents to work hard in gaining a relationship with the people he would be leading. He worked hard to restore the image of the government after the Hoover administration scarred it.

During the depression many Americans were upset with the government and placed them as the blame for their economic woes. Roosevelt worked to gain their trust through public mediums such as newspapers and the newly emerging radio.

Roosevelt would personally talk with ordinary people. He would also deliver his programs piece by piece to reporters so that readers could understand better. Roosevelt spoke on the radio in order to reach out directly to the public, and not go through the twisting of words made by reporters. These moves made Roosevelt more accessible to the public, and vice versa.

Roosevelt did a great job at communicating with the people he was leading. He gained their trust and let them know that he cared for his nation. It reminds me a lot like Obama now, with his addresses to the public through radio, tv,newspapers, and the internet.

Parent's Magazine

"What Did You Do Today For Freedom?"
".....In War Children Are More Than Ever Important!"
-from a report on the effects of War on British Advertising Issued by Lord and Thomas

This article is another "sales-marketing" tactic. During war time, one of the most concerning aspect of a society is its children or the young generation. The advertisement agency understood this aspect more clearly then anyone else. The article reads:

"Parents Magazine is read exclusively by the best customers of most advertisers - families with children - a waste-free, clearly defined market of 625,000 homes."

It goes on to say "and now more than ever before the needs of the children in these homes come first!" - clearly showing that whatever advertising placed into these "Parent's Magazine" will not go in waste, for it is distributed widely across the nation, especially in holds with children.
At first this article or advertisement may appear normal, but if you pay close attention to its motives, it is quiet scary the advertisement agency left no channel untouched through which they hammered the citizens. The article reads a logo "THE MOST WAR-PROOF ADVERTISING MEDIUM." - meaning that other magazines or articles might end up in the hands of a particular person, for example any business sections might only attract the businessmen, but this magazine is a package in which it is guaranteed to effect the minds of the entire family. It will prove to be a thought-provoking magazine for the parents, it will raise concern of the war, and the future of their children.

After Hours

After Hours Ipana and Massage


War time was advertised by many different types of commercial products. In this advertisement the Ipana toothpaste was advertising women to come out and be on the work field so that men could fight for the nation. Also it made a bigger advertisement to buy more war bonds. On the actual picture they used women working in every possible job opening there was for women at the time. Marketing toothpaste was just a small advertisement that was one of the easiest to sell the war to the nation.


Ipana was very popular toothpaste and it had great broadcasting ticket on the radio so with that the war would also be advertised. They used this strong toothpaste to show that it was a time of war and they needed strong women as well. Women were needed at this time and getting women to actually participate in the war would be very beneficial to the men. More men would be taking part in the war leaving women behind to pick up the slack in the work field.
This add showed that women were taking over and it showed all the different offerings that they had like being a nurse, a factory worker and even working in the science field. Getting women to actually agree was a way for them to go back to their husbands and talk them in to the war. It was a way of telling them to get out there and join the war this way everything would still be okay when they came back.


Having Ipana was one of the best ways for advertising because with this they could imply that women’s strength and determination was needed. They set it up to show that having a beautiful woman could even help out more than you would actually think. That’s why they fixed up the advertisement this way. This was a time of need for women and what better way to do it then having a popular commercial.

Seperation of church and politics?

Father Charles Coughlin played a very awkward, yet familiar position during the 1930s. He was a priest with very strong political views. With the power of the radio, he was able to get his thoughts out to more that just his congregation. He reached millions of people every week with sermons broadcasted over the radio. He was a very strong democrat and it was believed that he hated republicans. It questioned his integrity because he was supposed to be a man of God and Christians should not pass judgement.

It makes me wonder that if there is a slot for people of religious orientation in politics. He reminded me of the situation with Reverend Wright. People tend to have negative views on religious individuals who are into politics. Many religious people of high stature try to keep their views of politics to themselves because they know the response they receive from the people. I believe that they should be able to have a say in politics. They have views like everyone else but they should be mindful of what they say to their following.

The Forever Roaring Twenties

The 1920's was a time when victory was given to those who, lost their thoughts of ever accomplishing the "American Dream". Furthermore telephone, radio, television, and automobile industries were seeing great profit during this time. Laws and regulations were being tested by many because more and more people were partying and drinking and just having fun.

The issues of the "Progressive Movement" seemed not to be an issue anymore, because the middle class started to see some of the wealth being shared. And credit was being issued.

For women much has been accomplished as well, their rights to vote was passed. Women also started to live freely and somewhat risky in reference to wanting to be treated equal to men.

American fashion was born in this era. American citizens started to pay more attention to the way they looked and danced. Which is kind of similar to today's society.

Meanwhile as modern entertainment continued to advance movie theatres were seeing the majority of the wealth. Actors and actresses were being idolized all around the nation. This was a new way to advertise and persuade the public. Although these Hollywood movies were enjoyable they had a theme planned for growth of consumerism.

"The typical heroine wore expensive clothes, furs, and elegant jewels, and either lived in a mansion or flitted between the deluxe hotels of the world; the hero, usually without visible means of support, was as splendidly accoutered, drove the fanciest automobile, and pursued the most attractive young women..."( Mowry and Brownell, p. 220, Stuart Ewen; PR!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXKq8E9Tlg0&feature=related

Standard Oil vs. Public Opinion

In chapter fifteen of PR "Public Ultimatum", author Stuart Ewen begins to describe Standard oil's reputation in the eyes of the public and its discontent towards the company. Standard Oil at the turn of the century was already a company with a tarnished reputation seeking to rebuild their image. By WWII, Standard Oil began a campaign to do just that, rebuild an already tainted image and disassociate themselves from the symbols used to define them, a "reckless and socially irresponsible", greedy corporation. Ewen points out that the company began a Public Relations Committee in order to address these issues and move the company forward. The problem that stood ahead for Standard Oil was that they did little up to that point to change their already tainted image.

"The history of Standard Oil in its relations with the public has not been too fortunate....Back in the days..Standard Oil was regarded as a prime example of a powerful, grasping, iniquitous business organization....In thirty years are more that followed..very little was done to offset this idea of the company"

I feel Standard Oil shot themselves in the foot by not addressing these issues when Ida Tarbell threw them under the bus in her investigative report of the company. But establishing the Conference would be a step in the right direction. The only thing that they were not sure of was if it was too little too late. Ewen continues by pointing out that The Senate committee ran by Harry Truman, began an investigation regarding information obtained of Standard Oil participating in "back door" dealings with a German Chemical Cartel-I.G. Farben in 1942. This would be a significant investigation especially for the simple fact that these deals were said to have happened while the country entered war in Europe. This would not help the company in its already initiated efforts to change their reputation in the eyes of the public as well as the media. Ewen goes on further to state that the company had to now begin another campaign to address these new allegations of associating themselves with the "enemy".

"By the middle of 1943, a new public relations department had been created...devoting its energies to defending the company against charges of collusion with Germans"

I'm shocked that at a time when the country was apprehensive of fascist and socialist sympathizers, that Standard Oil would be "allegedly" associated with the enemy in trading information.

The Burden of Prosperity

The 1920’s represented a new era of American culture. After years of work by people such as Vail, the image of big business was finally changed. No longer were corporations viewed with skepticism, a new image of a “gentle giant” had began to shape the business world. It was a time of prosperity and growth for the economy but certainly not a time of fairness for the people. “Despite a statistical rise in wages, the upgrade was not experienced evenly throughout the population; the distribution of income was extremely unbalanced” (Ewen, PR! Ch11, p. 227).

William J. Barber picked up on how economic progress was imposing suffering on hundreds of thousands of people. He stated: “High wages were costing jobs by pushing employers to substitute capital for labor. In manufacturing, mining, and the railroads, for example, it could be established that employment had shrunk while wages had risen" (Ewen 227).

It seems that at the time, companies were starting to take advantage of the laissez-fare approach to business, focusing more on economic standing rather than the well being of the public majority and the future of the nation. On paper this era was highly prosperous but the distribution of wealth was highly skewed. The rich were getting richer while the poor were getting poorer. Similar to today, the way business was being done was not being monitored well enough. As long as the economy was showing profit, nobody cared enough to look into practices. This would lead to the stock market crashing in 1929 which is strikingly similar to today economic crisis. My question is: when will we learn from the past and plan better for the future?

The Friendly Giant

Toward the end of the 1920's, there was an opposite feeling concerning big businesses and large monopolies. During the Depression, big business were looked at as the "bad guy". But 1928 was a turnaround for corporations as they were growing more powerful. They wanted to help the economy of America and help their self-image. Corporations had a great influence on both national and local organizations. Some organizations include the Chamber of Commerce, farmers group, churches and schools.

"The image of the corporation as a "friendly giant" stood at the center of many companies public relations activities. "Successful business is business plus personality," instructed S.M Kennedy, a marketing expert. "The more a business is crowded with personality, the faster it will grow and prosper." Others echoed the co-operative of "humanizing business" and labored to purge the image of the "soulless corporation" from the public mind." (PR!, Ewen, page 216)

Public image is how businesses become more successful. If you get respect from the people, you will benefit from their business. A good example is McDonalds. Even though they have food that is terrible for you, they do alot of good charity work. The Ronald McDonald Charity does alot of good deeds for families.

Even though these large businesses were called "The Enemies", they have done good things for this country. Helping the economy grow and contributing to the well-being of the society were big keys in helping these big businesses regain popularity. Without these businesses, America would be in an economic downfall.