Political Commercial Analysis

The commercial I chose to analyze is one that is paid for by the National Rife Association (NRA) opposing Hillary Clinton. The advertisement can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e6xtGFYS8w

In the commercial, a woman is asleep in her bed when she hears someone break into her house. Panicked, she runs to a box. She opens it and finds nothings. She panics more and tries to call the police, but can’t do it in time. The person presumably breaking in enters her room. The commercial then cuts to police outside the woman’s home with the phrase “Don’t let Hillary leave you defenseless” on the screen with the NRA logo next to it.

This commercial is targeting a good number of people. First, it is obviously targeting women because that’s who is in the commercial. A frightened woman is presumably hurt and robbed because she didn’t have a gun because Hillary Clinton took way her gun. That’s what the commercial is trying to communicate. The NRA has to target women because I’m sure they don’t have to target men simply because more men probably support the NRA than women do. Secondly, the commercial targets people who are anti-Hillary. While this commercial does not endorse Donald Trump or any other candidate, it tells people who they should not vote for her; she will leave them “defenseless.” Finally, this commercial targets second amendment supporters. People who support the right to carry a weapon and own a gun in their home will support this advertisement because they either support the NRA, are members of the NRA, or are both. By showing these visuals in the commercial, the NRA makes this group of people scared that they will lose their guns and because of that they’ll get hurt.

This commercial reaches out to their target audiences effectively because of the visuals. I think the commercial does a good job in showing what they needed to show and makes the viewer understand their viewpoint.

 

Ballot for Sandy Springs, GA

Below is what will be on the ballot in my hometown of Sandy Springs, GA (District 6 for U.S. Congress and Georgia Senate, District 52 for Georgia House). It includes national, state, and local candidates, as well as some proposed constitutional amendments and special voting issues.

CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE

For President of the United States:

Donald J. Trump (President) and Michael Pence (Vice President)—Republican

Hilary Clinton (President) and Tim Kaine (Vice President)—Democrat

Gary Johnson (President) and Bill Weld (Vice President)—Libertarian

For United States Senate

Johnny Isakson (Incumbent)—Republican

Jim Barksdale—Democrat

Allen Buckley—Libertarian

For Public Service Commissioner

Tim Echols (Incumbent)—Republican

Eric Hoskins—Libertarian

For U.S. Representative in 115th Congress from the 6th Congressional District of Georgia

Tom Price (Incumbent)—Republican

Rodney Stooksbury—Democrat

For State Senator From 6th District

Hunter Hill (Incumbent)—Republican

Jaha Howard—Democrat

For State Representative in the General Assembly From 52nd District

Deborah Silcox—Republican

For District Attorney for the Atlanta Judicial Circuit

Paul Howard, Jr. (Incumbent)—Democrat

For Clerk of Superior Court

Lewis L. Pittman—Republican

Cathelene “Tina” Robinson (Incumbent)—Democrat

For Sheriff

Ben Coward—Republican

Theodore “Ted” Jackson (Incumbent)—Democrat

For Surveyor

William Daniel III (Incumbent)—Republican

Arnaud D. Huguet—Democrat

For Solicitor-General of State Court of Fulton County

Keith Gammage—Democrat

For Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor

Preston D. Mason (Incumbent)

Alan O. Toney (Incumbent)

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow the state to intervene in chronically failing public schools in order to improve student performance?”

Yes

No

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow additional penalties for criminal cases in which a person is adjudged guilty of keeping a place of prostitution, pimping, pandering, pandering by compulsion, solicitation of sodomy, masturbation for hire, trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, or sexual exploitation of children and to all assessments on adult entertainment establishments to fund the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited children Fund to pay for care and rehabilitative and social services for individuals in this state who have been or may be sexually exposed?”

Yes

No

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to abolish the existing Judicial Qualifications Commission; require the General Assembly to create and provide by general law for the composition, manner of appointment, and governance of a new Judicial Qualifications Commission, with such commission having the power to discipline, remove, and cause involuntary retirement of judges; require the Judicial Qualifications Commission to have procedures that provide for due process of law and review by the Supreme Court of its advisory opinions; and all the Judicial Qualifications Commission to be open to the public in some manner?”

Yes

No

“Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that the proceeds of excise taxes on the sale of fireworks or consumer fireworks be dedicated to the funding of trauma care, firefighter equipping and training, and local public safety purposes?”

Yes

No

SPECIAL ELECTION

Shall Fulton County, Georgia be authorized to grant a Freeport Exemption to E-Commerce goods stored in fulfillment centers from taxation?

Yes

No

Shall an additional .75 percent sales tax be collected in that part of Fulton Country, Georgia, outside of the City of Atlanta, for five years for the purpose of transportation improvements and congestion reduction?

Yes

No

Menu Boards at Krog Street Market

Customers at Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream use their big menu boards to decide what flavor to get

Customers at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream use their big menu boards to decide what flavor to get

A man looks at a menu board inside Krog Street Market to decide what he should order

A man looks at a menu board inside Krog Street Market to decide what he should order

Most restaurants at Krog Street Market have their menus posted above their counter making it clearly visible what they have to offer patrons. If a restaurant does not have a giant menu board, then they have a small paper menu available to browse. No restaurant at Krog Street Market hides its menu making it easy to understand what each restaurant has to serve. By having big menu boards, also, it encourages people to stroll by each restaurant. By doing that, customers can consider all options at the market instead of only a select few.

Disability Features at Krog Street Market

A man in a wheelchair eats at Krog Street Market

A man in a wheelchair eats at Krog Street Market

The front of Krog Street Market shows a ramp leading up to its entrance making it wheelchair-accessible

The front of Krog Street Market shows a ramp leading up to its entrance making it wheelchair-accessible

The market is accessible for disabled people as evidenced by the picture. Outside of the market, there is a large ramp for people who are wheelchair-bound to use. However, the benches attached to the picnic tables are immovable, meaning that a disabled person in a wheelchair would be forced to sit at the end of the table. However, they can move a chair from the individual seating and pull up comfortably (like in the picture). Also, most restaurants have low enough counters so disabled people could talk with workers and receive their food comfortably. By making sure disabled people feel welcome, the market creates a culture and an environment where everyone is welcome and no one is discriminated against.

Seating at Krog Street Market

"Family-style" seating located outside Krog Street Market encourages socialization

“Family-style” seating located outside Krog Street Market encourages socialization

Long tables inside Krog Street Market encourage patrons to sit together

Long tables inside Krog Street Market encourage patrons to sit together

Long tables inside Krog Street Market fill up quickly and people who were once strangers bond over having two similarities: eating good food and enjoying being at Krog Street Market

Long tables inside Krog Street Market fill up quickly and people who were once strangers bond over having two similarities: eating good food and enjoying being at Krog Street Market

Most seating at Krog Street Market is in “family-style.” In other words, the market has picnic tables that can probably seat around 15-20 people at each. The picnic tables promote socialization with patrons eating at the market. Because people sit in such close quarters, this encourages them to talk to each other, comment on each other’s food, and so forth. Also by having picnic tables as seating, Krog Street Market is encouraging its customers to bring many people. If the market were entirely tables with just four tables around them, it would be difficult to bring big parties because one would have to ensure there would be enough tables and then they would have to move the tables and chairs. Now, a large party can comfortably sit together at a picnic table with no worry. However, if someone does not like the idea of sitting so close to people, there are tall chairs located on a counter attached to a wall. There are also individual seating around tables (four chairs per table), and some restaurants have their own seating. Overall, the seating in Krog Street Market creates a culture of socialization and friendliness.

Alcohol at Krog Street Market

A sign for free alcohol inside Krog Street Market

A sign for free alcohol inside Krog Street Market

Patrons socialize at a crowded bar inside Krog Street Market

Patrons socialize at a crowded bar inside Krog Street Market

People drinking at a bar inside Krog Street Market

People drinking at a bar inside Krog Street Market

People drink, talk, and eat at a bar connected to a restaurant inside Krog Street Market

People drink, talk, and eat at a bar connected to a restaurant inside Krog Street Market

Alcohol and the sale of alcohol play a significant role at Krog Street Market. As soon as you walk into the market, there is immediately a bar where guests can sit down and drink. The market also smells like alcohol as soon as you walk into it. You must walk around, passing the different restaurants before the smell dissipates. Multiple restaurants are open, and their bar faces outwards so patrons can feel a part of the restaurant while also feeling part of the market as a whole. Alcohol at Krog Street Market is a big seller, but also promotes socialization amongst customers and visitors.

Interview with Slean at Krog Street Market

Slean, an employee at Fred's Meat & Bread

Slean, an employee at Fred’s Meat & Bread

Slean is a worker at Fred’s Meat & Bread located inside Krog Street Market. I spoke with Slean about his views on Krog Street Market, and his perspective working behind the counter.

Me: What’s the busiest times for Fred’s Meat & Bread?

Slean: Um…I would say on weekends, probably 11:30 am-2:30 pm. On weekdays probably 7:30 pm-9 pm.

Me: What types of people eat here? What types of people have you observed visiting the market?

Slean: Oh I see all types. Business people, neighborhood people, young, old, single people, families, couples, everything. Everyone comes here. There’s a huge demographic. I think Inman Park has a huge influence on the fact that all types of people eat here. The neighborhood use to be “hipstery,” but I don’t think that’s the case anymore. Now everyone, all types of people live in Inman Park and come to the market.

Me: Does the Beltline impact business?

Slean: Yes, for sure. I mean it’s a traffic way for people. Right over there, that’s the beginning and end of the Beltline, so people are starting and ending there. That’s huge not only for the market but for the city, too.

Me: How do you attract new customers?

Slean: We make great food, and we’re incredibly nice. We have great customer service and have a close attention to detail.

Interview with Curtis and Jenny at Krog Street Market

Curtis, Jenny, and their dog enjoying a meal outside of Krog Street Market

Curtis, Jenny, and their dog enjoying a meal outside of Krog Street Market

I saw Curtis and Jenny eating together outside of Krog Street Market with their dog. I decided to ask them a few questions to understand how they ended up at Krog Street Market. **Special Note: Curtis felt it was important to include their ages in the Built Environment Description. Curtis and Jenny are both 28-years-old.**

Me: Why did you choose Krog Street Market to eat tonight?

Jenny: I like the food. It’s great here.

Curtis: Yeah, I like the food a lot. I like it better than Ponce City Market.

Me: Why?

Curtis: Krog has less people and I feel like it has better food too. Plus it has a chiller vibe.

Me: I see you brought your dog with you. Is a pet-friendly environment important to you?

Curtis: Yes, I bring my dog everywhere…to Ponce and to Krog.

Me: Are picnic tables important? Do you use Krog Street Market for socialization?

Curtis: Absolutely the picnic tables are important. It’s important to be a community.

Jenny: Yeah, I bring a lot of friends here, especially friends from out of town.

Me: Do you live in walking distance from Krog Street Market?

Curtis: Yeah I do. Ponce has more parking spaces available but that doesn’t matter. I like walking.

Me: Anything else you’d like to add about Krog Street Market?

Curtis: Krog Street is progressive. I think more places in this city and cities across the country will be more like this. I think more places will be more “market-style.”

 

Amenities for Beltline Users at Krog Street Market

Public restrooms available to Krog Street Market patrons

Public restrooms available to Krog Street Market patrons

A free water station inside Krog Street Market

A free water station inside Krog Street Market

With Krog Street Market having such close proximity to the Beltline, it was important for the market to add features that would appeal to people who were coming either to or from it. The market includes two great things that are free to the public: restrooms and water. In the market, restrooms are available even if you are not a customer at the market, encouraging people coming off the Beltline to stop there to rest or individuals who are about to get on the Beltline to get ready for their trip. The free water is also excellent for Beltline visitors because they can stop in the market before their walk or bike ride to fill up their water bottle and they can stop in after their Beltline visit to relax and rest. By offering these free options to the public and taking advantage of the Beltline’s proximity to the market, Krog Street Market can attract more visitors and, hopefully, future customers.

Class Prep 10/12/16

After viewing and playing with the Gendered Advertising Remixer, I realized how advertisers use different techniques when appealing to boys than when appealing to girls. With boys, the advertisements tend to be more action-focused. A lot of the visuals showed boys playing, being rough, shooting guns, explosions, things of that sort. The music behind a commercial geared toward a little boy was also more aggressive, the voice-over tended to be “rough,” and overall the advertisement was more intense than with the commercials for girls.

On the other hand, ads for girls were different. They tended to show softer imagery, such as girls playing with dolls or sitting and talking. They were not as aggressive or “action-oriented” as the boy commercials were. The music behind the commercial was also more high-pitched and sounded like pop music. The voiceover also was always high-pitched.

It is interesting to note, however, that both advertisements for boys and girls had voiceovers. However, a boy never voiced a girl commercial, and a girl never voiced a boy commercial. This is just something that I found interesting and is worth noting when analayzing the differences between the commercials for boys and the commercials for girls.