Monday, August 25, 2008

Wk 5 - Media article

The media liftout from the Australian
Date
August 19, 2008

Item selected for comment
'Ad agency to freshen up the image of Australian Post', written by Simon Canning

Quick comment
Canning is highlighting in this article that the marketing managers associated with the Australian Post have a need to communicate the success of the industy to their audiences by upholding a credible image and at the same time make sure that "93 million pieces of mail to 10 million addresses. Therefore, a better apporach to effectively managing both needs to be addressed for the organisation.Furthermore, the elements of building relationships and trust are heavily promoted in public sector and Canning is putting forward that the Australia Post will continue to increase this to promote a more modern image for their organisation. This article also addresses the difficulties of campanies like Australia Post who are struggleling to uphold a modern and fresh image, due to cyberspace organisations being the new "in thing"!


Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item
This idea of builiding trust and relationships to establish credibility and positive image relates to the public relations theory i am currently foucusing on. However, it also relates to the recent corse work from our readings which highlight that significant the internet is becoming the organisations.
Showing off my expert ise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references

Wk 4 - Media article

ABC media report
Date

7 August 2008


Item selected for comment
"The Gruen Division", on ABC Radio National

Quick comment

The transcript for this media report reveals that there are definately two sides to the 'Gruen Transfer' program. Mark Champion highlights that the program is "definately creating interest " and more and more people are considering it as a career option. Whereas, others like Peter Biggs feels that the program is simply creating "likability", which is a danger for advertising comapanies, as it demorlaises their credibilty and profession. Additionally, the transcript emphasises that the show is definately a success as they are able to persuade their viewers that marketing is positive, and they are able to do this so effectively because they are at the "communication end of persuasion buisness".

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item

The Gruen Transfer clearly demonstrates rhetoric persuassion that invloves ethos, pathos and logos, on the show. This is beacuse it captures the audience with their professional stance, emotional elements of comedy and logical arguments to support thier ideas.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,23811511-13243,00.html

An article written by Peter Biggs, who was metioned in the transcript can be accessed through the above link.

My presentation notes- Reading 7

1. Intro
After reading Parker’s “Designing documents for web distribution”, it is evident that an increasing amount of documents are being produced for web distribution rather than print mediums. As a result of this there is a strong need to design online documents for the “worst possible circumstance”, (Parker, 1990).Hence, as the internet is becoming more commonly used, it is important to always design for onscreen readings.

2. Page Viewing
Parker outlines that the difference between print and onscreen readings can be identified in the limitations to the how the document in viewed.
Print- These documents are known as the “vertical rectangle”, (Parker, 1990) , which are easier to access the entire page without physical movement.
Also each paragraph can be easily identified and clearly linked to the whole of the document.
— Example1 of print document- magazine

3. Page viewing
Onscreen- Documents viewed online are known as “horizontal rectangular” view, meaning they are only part of the page as a whole.
Example 2 – report & online book
“As document magnification increases, less and less of the document is shown, requiring more scrolling”, (Parker 1990).

4. Parker highlights that it is important to keep in mind that documents intended for website distribution maybe read onscreen or printed on paper.
This is why is in necessary to also design for the “worst possible scenario”, (Parker, 2003). Hence, designing texts that can be easily read onscreen and when printed.

5. Design suggestions
This can be achieved by avoiding multicolumn layouts for documents.
— Example- newspaper
— Therefore, it is important to remember to ...
— -Design documents for onscreen reading in single columns
- Also make sure type sizes and line spacing are of appropriate usability, to make up for the long lines of text in single columns.

6. White space
Parker emphasises to avoid filling screen with text by;
◦ Making sure that white space is applied to the left and right of margins of each page.
◦ This adds contrast to the page and includes extra space for additional subheadings.
-As you can see I have used this technique throughout this slideshow to make it more appealing to the eye.

7. White Space
— Additionally, more white space can be created by using 1.5 line spacing in-between lines to add to the overall contrast of the document- “guides eyes from right to left”, (Parker, 1990).
— Also extra space between paragraphs can be used to “open up” pages, allowing an easier to read document.

8. Some Useful tips
· Sub-headings are useful tools to keep the reader informed about what part/section of the document they are reading

— To increase reader usability, make sure that the majority of the online document is black and white, as it is more cost effective and efficient to print.

9. Conclusion
— It is evident from Parkers’ reading that it is necessary to use various techniques in particular;
-single columns - white space
-sub-headings - minimal colour
— To ensure the document can be effectively used for both print and online documents
.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Wk 3 Media article and reading review

the media liftout from the Australian
Date


August 15, 2008

Item selected for comment
"National newspapers have risen in circulation while weekly magazines fall", by Jane Schulze

Quick comment
Schulze highlights that there has been a significant growth in the marketing area of national newspapers, yet a significant downfall for weekly magazines. In particular, there was an increase in papers like 'The Australian' and 'The Sydney Morning Herald' and well known magazines such as 'Woman's Day' were seen to have a decrease in sales. However, in my opinion , with the internet becoming such a widespread trend, it is only inevitable that these newspapers would be emphasisng their increase in sales as their is a great threat to their very existance, as more and more papers are becoming published online. I also think it was very biased of 'The Australian' to state in their opening title that," 'The Australian' had the strongest growth of all newspapers".

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item
The theory covered in my reading for my presentation next week, Reading 7, Parker, 2004, 'Designing documents for web distribution' , was related to reader consuption of documents and how both print and internet documents should be designed effectivly; including white space, page viewing, colour and correct file formats.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references
This article stronlgy relates to my reading review, Reading 7, Parker, 2004, 'Designing documents for web distribution' , as it emphasises the importance of designing reader-centered documents for the web as the internet is rapidly increasing.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Wk2- Media article

The media liftout from the Australian
Date
Thursday, June 5, 2008

Item selected for comment
"TV gossip gurus are every woman's gay best friend", by Amanda Meade.

Quick comment
Meade recognises the increasing "gossip gurus", in the Australian media industry . She emphasises that women are drawn to television programs with gay icons an they can relate to them. This is due to the fact that they gossip in the same way that females do but also have the appealing qualitites of a man. Therefore, they get the best of both worlds which evidently promotes the image of having a "gay best friend".

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item
Symbols- icons: This icon of the TV "gossip gurus" allows the viewer to identify a an appealing visual image in the news presenting world hence, a symbol for the acceptance of gay presenters.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references
Reference for reading review:
-Parker, RC, 2003, ‘Designing documents for web distribution’, Looking good in print, 5th edn, Paraglyph Press, Scottsdale AZ, Chapter 14, pp.269-293.

Classmate's URL: marble-marble.blogspot.com, I have posted a comment to this blog address.