Advertising/Public Relations

                                           

            Slavery is a topic that is not brought up often enough, and is usually regarded to as an aspect of the past, but the fact is slavery still exist, and it is growing closer to home each year as a result of  unawareness and lack of knowledge on human trafficking. Human trafficking is a horrible crime that involves many innocent and vulnerable individuals, for the purpose of exploitation into cheap labor, and commercial sex, also known as modern day slavery. As a college student I have done countless research papers, and none of them have stood out as much as my research on the rise of human trafficking in Oregon, so while driving down I-5, I was content to see a billboard that read, "NOT FOR SALE! END HUMAN TRAFFICKING" this is an indication that Oregon continues to enlighten its residents on human trafficking. 

Description

This billboard features a black and white picture of an unfamiliar young girl's face, focusing on her eyes to depict the the pain and sorrow human trafficking victims go thru. Next to the young girl's face reads in capital red letters"NOT FOR" below it, in white letters reads, "SALE! END HUMAN TRAFFICKING" with a logo of two human figures next to it. I have seen these billboards all over the I-5, but I am more than certain they are featured in other cities and freeways as well, such as the I-84. This billboard is part of the Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans (OATH) awareness organization. As I did further research on the billboard tittled BillBoard_t750x550 I could not find its origin, but it began on being used in 2015 both in San Francisco and Oregon, as well as mentioned in articles against human trafficking.   

Analyze

The persuasive technique that is used in this billboard is emotional appeal. When I first saw this billboard, it  took a few moments to settle in,  I was content about the fact that Oregon is informing its citizens, but at the same time it made me sad, and angry, because people actually go thru that kind of torture and pain daily and most can't escape the physical and emotional violence of modern day slavery. The image of the young girl's face is a single representation of victims who are either being commercially trafficked or sexually trafficked. This billboard definitely makes a statement saying human trafficking is here in Oregon so be aware and act on it "END HUMAN TRAFFICKING". 

Interpret

I have seen similar billboards in California and others in Oregon, although the images might be different the message is the same one "STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING!".

Other examples of billboards will read, "HE PROMISED ME A PLACE TO STAY, THEN FORCED ME TO WORK AS A PROSTITUTE", "HUMAN TRAFFICKING WAS REPORTED IN ALL 50 STATES LAST YEAR", and "PEOPLE ARE NOT PROPERTY! STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING" these are just a few examples of other billboards around the United States that contain different images, but the message being sated is the same. The targeted audiences for this billboard are young women and children because research has shown that the average age of a victim who is being trafficked in the United States is between the ages of 11 and 14 with an average lifespan of 7 years. These victims are bought, sold, and traded for the purpose of exploitation, and 80% of these victims are woman and children who are held captive in the “underground sex service industry”(thearkofhopeforchildren.org). There is nothing about this billboard that I feel is offensive, I believe that everyone should fully understand what human trafficking is, the dangers of human trafficking and how not to become a victim, I also believe their should be further advertisement on this topic. 

Evaluate

The strengths of this billboard were; a straightforward message, the picture focused on the eyes which was intended to portray the pain of a tortured victim. The weaknesses of this add were, lack of color, I believe if it had color it would attract more attention, no statistics for further proof, and it lacked a number to call in case someone finds themselves in that sort of situation and are looking to escape. This image is definitely memorable because of the sadness the victim's eyes portray in the billboard, one can't help but to sympathize with the your girl portrayed in the image it also depicts a  sadness and the need to help and make a change. Although the targeted audience for the ad and human trafficking are children and young woman, I am sure this ad reaches the eyes and touches the hearts of many people who feel the need to act upon this horrible crime, no matter what age or gender they might be, knowledge is power and the more people know about human trafficking the less victims there will be, the silence must be stopped.

Engage 

I could not find any comments on the ad I used, this ad has been used in two different occasions one being used in an article in the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association website and the other on the Franciscans for Justice website. The specific organization logo used next to the image in the billboard was Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking. Other organizations that are using billboard's against human trafficking are programs such as; The Guardian Group, Polaris, Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans, and the National Human Trafficking Hotline. These organizations purpose is to educate individuals on human trafficking, help those who are being trafficked, and help victims after being freed.  

The first website I seen this image on was on the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association website, on an article titled, "Human Trafficking". There are no further comments on this billboard, while searching the image online only two articles with the image can up, these articles were related to human trafficking and its effects on its surrounding and victims. In the article “Human Trafficking”, Sheriff Staton made known that community outreach and education is important, and that law enforcement can’t fight human trafficking alone; therefore, community participation, and support is encouraged (oregonsherrifs.org). Although there are programs such as OATH Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans; which is an outreach program to help victims of trafficking, and the U-Visa; a program that helps undocumented immigrant victims of trafficking, this is still not enough. If we continuously fall short of educating everyone on human trafficking, it will grow and expand rapidly, due to the supply and demand mechanisms of this unfortunate crime. Therefore, our generation must do more, “The eye doesn’t see what the mind doesn’t know, doesn’t exist” (D.H. Lawrence). 

Based on the billboard alone I would definitely check out further statistics on human trafficking in Oregon. I would definitely recommend other be vigilant and aware to look for these billboards as further proof of human trafficking existing beyond major cities such as Las Vegas and San Francisco that it indeed happens in Oregon cities such as, Portland and Beaverton as well. 

https://www.oregonsheriffs.org/news/human-trafficking/

http://www.kptv.com/story/34241284/sex-trafficking-becoming-major-problem-throughout-portland-metro-area

https://humantraffickinghotline.org/state/oregon

Conclusion

While doing research on this specific billboard I learned that there are many different sorts of organizations that support human trafficking advertising, and not all organizations are the same in all states. The thing that surprised me the most was that I was only able to find the organization represented next to the image and two articles that contained this image, in addition, there were no additional comments on the image. Maybe if ads like these were shared and advertised more often in social media such as Facebook or Instagram, they would be more widely known, therefore, have more comments and information on them.  

Advertising and Public Relations

Topic1: Twitter/Facebook and Advertising/PR

One of the  organizations I follow on facebook  is "Keep Oregon Well". This site helps fight the stigma against mental illness and focuses on awareness and education of mental health.

http://www.KeepOregonWell.com

The targeted audience for this organization is everyone, because its purpose is to approach and inform those with mental illness and educate the general public about mental health. This site does work, the whole set up of the Facebook page is appealing, especially when your main background photo is a picture of people dressed in a Star Wars theme holding up signs that read, "Fight the Stigma" and "Mental Health Matters". This organization's facebook appeals to both younger and older audiences. This page is also filled many posts such as; local information, videos, articles relating to mental health and even news clips about upcoming events and activities, that are put together by this organization. Keep Oregon Well promotes themselves exceptionally well, their page is; fun, quirky, serious, and well informative, there is nothing I would recommend to better promote their service they have done it all. 

Topic2: Persuasive Techniques  

ASPCA

I am a huge animal lover and advocate, but I have to admit I change the channel as soon as I hear, "in the arms of the angel" this ASPCA commercial is extremely depressing, they have definitely nailed the appeal of emotion. Then there is usually a celebrity encouraging the viewers to donate to this charity, while sad animal videos and images flood your TV. This commercial appeals to all animal lovers like myself, who want to help out anyway we can. The two persuasive techniques used by the ASPCA commercials are emotional branding and famous person testimonial. Emotional branding is when a company triggers an emotional response in the consumer, for example, if enough animal lovers watch this commercial they might become sad enough that it will trigger them to want to take action and therefore, donate money to the organization, or if you're like me, change the channel to prevent any sort of crying.The famous person testimonial is also used to endorse this company so the audience is reassured that whatever funds they donate will go directly to the animal's health needs, and not into the pockets of some random individual. These techniques work up to a certain extent, because not everyone can donate money on the spot, even though it is being indorsed by a celebrity who has already more money than the average folk. Furthermore, it would be nice to see the animals who have been used in the same commercials for years finally find a home, these commercials don't have to be 100% depressing. I believe they would have better donation rates, if they showcased the animals who have been helped and who have found good homes, due to the donations that have been received.  

Secret Hair Extensions

I cut my beautiful long hair a few years back and I am still reaping the consequences, so I pay extremely close attention to all hair extension advertisements in hopes of finding a set of natural looking hair for a reasonable price. While watching TV a commercial came on called Secret Extensions, endorsed by Daisy Fuentes.  This commercial consists of women wanting longer voluminous hair, then in comes Daisy Fuentes with her secret hair extensions she claims she wears any time she wants longer hair, this caught my attention since her hair looked beautiful. This advertisement is advertised towards middle aged women since it is harder to get thicker longer hair the older we get. The appeal that is used in this advertisement is definitely famous person testimonial because Daisy Fuentes swears by the hair extensions and even takes hers off during the commercial, making these extensions look amazing and credible. This appeal did not work because, Daisy Fuentes is a celebrity and definitely spends more than $29.99 on her own hair extensions, making this a fake testimony. In addition, all the women used in this commercial were hair models, not your average woman, also, not all of them put the extensions on themselves, and I'm positive they had a hair stylist in hand in order for the hair to look perfect and evenly blended. 

Topic 2

Topic 1: Twitter /Social Media

• The  three organizations I follow on Twitter are; Fox News, Washington Post and Earth Pics. I follow Fox News and Washington Post to simply be caught up with trending news I feel these two sites are fast and efficient when it comes to broadcasting. I follow Earth Pics because I love to see what kind of wonders the world has, I am always captivated by such beautiful photography of nature at its best. 

• The best tweet I seen today that definitely deserves to be re-tweeted, was a video of a man who had his dog stolen 2 years ago, and when they were finally reunited the dog hesitated at first, but within seconds he was so excited he couldn't contain himself, he kept on jumping and rolling around on his owners lap. This stood out to me because I am a huge animal lover and there's nothing better then seeing animals reuniting with their owners. I love a happy ending.

• I believe social media has enhanced my ability to take action and participate in democracy and government up to a certain point. I like being well  informed, but as far as the "let me post how I personally feel about this topic"  kind of attitude, I don't feel the need to take that route yet and instead I just repost, so others become informed just as I was. I believe topics that are worth discussion are better done and heard in person. 

Topic 2: The Internet

• Sherry Turkle made a valid point and I agree with her 100%, we are definitely losing a sense of self, we are becoming increasingly isolated due to our addiction we have with electronics especially our phones, it is like a comfort item and it must always be with us or else we don't know what to do with our spare time. For example, while visiting my family a few months ago I noticed that we no longer have big discussions and debates like how we used to, we don't completely ignore each other, but when no one is talking everyone tends to go back on their phones, as if no one is able to restart a new conversation anymore and instead prefer to escape into their phones. In addition, last week I accidently left my phone at home and went to work. During lunch some of my colleagues and I were in the break room together and each one of them was on their phone except for me. I would try conversing with some of them but the replies were short or they would just nod or shake their head, so I finally decided to be quiet and observe. No one held an actual conversation during the entire lunch, that's when I realized that people are starting to become more adapted in being alone and prefer to carry out a conversation on social media instead of conversing in person. At least when an individual is speaking to me I am polite enough to put my phone away and acknowledge their presence.   My family has decided to reclaim dinner and family game nights. 

• The last game I downloaded was Angry Birds and this was roughly 4 years ago. What I liked about this game was that it was; easy to grasp, fun, different, and colorful. This game was also constantly changing and updating making each new level better than the last, which made it extremely addicting. I used to play this game for at least 3 hours a day, I then began to get really bad headaches and falling behind on my school work so I decided to delete the game and I actually haven't downloaded a game since. 

• I spend about 1 hour a day sometimes even less social networking. Honestly, I am too  busy, I work full time and am a full time student, I'm always bombarded with homework, when I come home I cook and try to clean my house, and if I have enough energy to workout I will, and usually when I am completely done with my day it is time for bed. I feel like gaming is a waste of time for me because I have so much going on that I can't just stop my routine in order to play a few games or network longer than I currently do, I would definitely fall behind.