Media+Literacy

Advertisements - they're everywhere. In today's world of internet access and 24-hour radio and television broadcasting, you cannot escape advertisements. You can't even walk down the street without being bombarded (look up the word!) with dozens of ads selling you burgers, cars, music, clothes, and vacations to sunny beaches. The more you're aware of this, and the more you understand this, the better you'll be able to //resist// the ads and make smart decisions about what you buy and why you buy it.

Over the next few weeks, you will form you own advertising companies. In groups, you will create an imaginary restaurant/cafe/diner to market. Decide what kind of establishment it will be. Think of some famous chains and choose a type; then, give your place a name.

You must make it seem essential and attractive by creating clever internet, print, television and radio ads. The better an ad, the better a product will sell.

For each ad you create, you must keep a few things in mind:

(1) Who do I want to buy this? (2) Why do they need it? (3) How will I attract the viewer's/reader's attention? (4) How can I make my advertisement stand out from the millions of other ads we see in our lifetime?

Have fun!

John, Tsetan, Shania - The Cafe Home

Yasmein, Hani, Carissa - The World Class Cafe

Sonam, Dhadon, Destiny - Sugar and Cream

Marko, Cindy, Shameu - Beverly Good

Paris, Abreham, Zeana - Kings Cafe

Lobsang, Tenzin, Thuan - Swag

Dennis - Spectrum

TASK #1 - Name your restaurant and make a link. On that page, you will create a "press release" to announce the opening of your new restaurant. You need to create a written announcement that will tell readers what kind of a restaurant you are opening, what will be offered, and why people should give it a try once it opens. Include a logo that also incorporates the name of your restaurant (draw it, colour it, take a photo, and upload it). Remember that it needs to be catchy and attractive - something that people will recognize the instant they see it!

TASK #2 - To announce the opening of the restaurant, the owners would like to take out a billboard. Using 11"x17" paper, create an effective print ad. Think about how fonts, colour, words, the logo, and other aspects will draw the readers' attention and interest to your ad. When finished, take a photo of the ad and upload it onto the wiki. DUE DATE: Wednesday December 14.