Coca-Cola Happiness Factory

"Coca-Cola Happiness Factory"

Information:

-       Name of product being advertised: Coca-Cola Classic

-       Year ad was made: 2007

-       Ad agency: Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam

Q&A

            I truly enjoyed watching this Coca-Cola ad many times. The ad is very creatively produced to evoke a sense of the magic that goes into each bottle of Coca-Cola Classic.

            I like the ad for various reasons. Firstly I recognize the amazing the computer-animation that creates the “happiness factory” that is the Coca-Cola vending machine. The ad takes the viewer through the process of the factory. The other major reason I enjoy the ad is the world that the ad creates through transporting the viewer from the real world to the whimsical creative world created within the “factory.”

            The ad catches my attention with the whimsically created characters along with the quirky music that transports the viewer into the fantasy world of Coca-Cola. The world within the Coca-Cola vending machine is brightly colored, fast action, high energy, and musically appealing.

            The ad is memorable because it was unlike any other ad at the time. It transports the viewer to a place of magic that is not normally possible in a television ad. The use of computer animation allows for this transportation to take place. The effectiveness of the ad comes from this ability to transport the audience to a fantasy world that selecting Coca-Cola creates.

            The “Puffery Factor” is very high on this particular advertisement. The ad expresses that each bottle of Coca-Cola Classic is not just a beverage but rather an experience. Although we all know that this factory of happiness is not true this ad creates the image that drinking a Coke makes the world perfect for a short time.

            The ad is truly selling the feelings associated with drinking a Coca-Cola Classic. This ad sells the happiness that is created with each Coca-Cola bottle. The ad sells these good feelings through creating a world that is so whimsical that you cannot help but feeling a child like joy when viewing the ad. The ad creates a link between Coca-Cola Classic and a feeling of child-like joy when consuming a Coca-Cola.

            I believe that the ad was attempting to, and did a good job of, appealing to a wide range of audiences. I do not believe there was a very specific demographic for this advertisement. The ad is very appealing to most all individuals because it creates a feeling of child-like joy, which most individuals have felt at some time in their childhood. This creation of joy and happiness is appealing to most individuals. It seems as though the ad is created to appeal to everyone rather than a specific audience, and I believe it does the job well.

            And yes, I did indeed purchase an “Ice Cold” Coca-Cola Classic after viewing this ad. I do not understand why they advertise drinks as ice cold, because it would be not be possible to drink a beverage if it was as cold as ice. 

“Names are important, I like my name”

How to get a really cool name like Rift

 1. You need a cool artist mother

 2. You need a French father

 3. Said father is traveling salesman

 4. Said “cool artist mother” travels with father

 5. “Lovely French father” wants to name you Junior after him

 6. Mother dislikes name

 7. Junior Aldrich

 8. Mother and Father argue over name

 9. Mother is awesome and creative

10. Mother names you Rift due to said argument

 

10 simple steps to a really cool name as articulated by the one, the only Mr. Rift Fournier.

So who is the man behind the name?

Rift (no middle initial) Fournier is Artist in resident here at Lindenwood University as of 2007 teaching classes in his area of expertise, script writing for television.

Rift is a man of many stories, as we learned on Friday in surveys of professional media, so it is no wonder he was so successful in the television industry for over 40 years.

Rift has written for many shows, most notable Kojak and NYPD Blue, however he arrived in Hollywood in the 70’s, where he was reduced to writing jokes for 5-bucks-a-pop for a “not very funny comedian,” while selling aluminum siding over the phone. 

Rift left California to write comedy in New York City, “I love funny,” he said.

In the BIG APPLE Rift got a job with Westinghouse productions, where he wanted to do documentaries. He eventually received the job after driving the guy nuts for 10 days, sending forget-me-not flowers and calling in constantly after his interview. He remembers the days before HR directors did the interviewing.

Rift divides his career into his Children’s television phase, and his drama/cop writing phase.

His Children’s show “GO.” “GO” was the first reality show. On one particular episode Rift followed some of New York’s finest for quite some time, showing the day-to-day life of the men and women in Blue. Rift ended this at the funeral of a fallen officer. Rift always pushes the envelope it seems, and he does it well.

In his time at NYPD Blue Rift remembers pushing the figurative envelope in a specific episode dealing with the Roe V. Wade ruling of the Supreme Court. In which he created the struggle between a mother wanting an abortion, and a father wanting a say in the life of his unborn child. Very controversial even today, but not too soon prior to the 1973 case you could not even mention a toilet on television.

Rift goes on to discuss his views on the current direction of television, from the living room to the computer screen. “Because of the internet the whole world of media has changed.” Rift believes this is just natural evolution, “It’s always about content” Rift reminds all aspiring writers.

With Hulu and Youtube it is becoming easier and easier to produce and distribute your movies, documentaries and shorts. Networks are able to distribute their shows online and even produce online only shows and movies. Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along blogs.

The Internet however has not made writing any easier. Rift reminds, “The hardest thing about writing is writing.” It always goes back to the content.

On Creativity: “There are only 7 ideas in the world, and the best creatives know how to steal.”

Rift believes his Midwestern upbringing has given him a 360-degree view of humanity, “humanity surrounds us in the Midewest” Rift believes. And he is correct; some of the best artists and novelists come from Middle America. 

“You’ve gotta’ let the muse know where to find you” says a good friend of Rift Fournier. The muse certainly knows where to find Rift. 

 

 

 

The Internet: part 2

My Favorite Blog

 

“Secret Public Journal”

 

Mike Birbiglia- Stand-up comic, blogger, and self-labeled awkward individual.

 

I discovered Mr. Birbglia and his hilarious blog via “The Bob and Tom Show.”

 

Mike is my favorite comic, and favorite blogger. His entries, regarding the most ridiculous things, and his awesome videos, keep me coming back for more absurdity.

 

Birbiglia titled his blog “My Secret Public Journal.” Mike shares his “private thoughts” with his journal… and it just so happens that he lets us (the public) read along.

 

Mike is an entertaining writer… he often proclaims his love for pizza and his ability to make awkward situations even more awkward.

 

The fact that Birbiglia is a performer, and has a team behind him, makes his blogs multimedia components great. 

 

The blog posts many videos via YouTube, and many pictures via Flicker. The videos and pictures make the blog feel like… well feel like a blog created by one individual. The videos are great because they allow new fans a way to see some of his stand-up sets, and get to know him via his video journal entries. The blog also uses the comedian’s homepage as a form of multimedia connectivity.

 

Birbiglia also links the blog to the iTunes store, to show his very own “celebrity play list” as well as his three albums for sale there. So the multimedia components of the blog are well done, and serve a purpose in terms of publicity for Birbiglia’s stand-up career. 

I Love Convergence: Television: part one

The following is an excerpt from a conversation taking place in my mind:

 

            Teacher: What is convergence?

                           Yes, Joe?

 

            Joe:  “Media convergence is the merging of technologies, industries, and content, especially within the realms of computer, telephone, and mass media.”

 

            Teacher: why yes you are absolutely correct! Congratulations reader and regurgitater of textbook definitions. But what does it mean to you?

 

            Joe: “um… it means you can watch T.V and stuff on your computer and phone.”

 

            Teacher: Yes Joe, that is correct. But let us go a bit further.

 

Convergence is transforming the landscape of television. Convergence is made possible by the Internet. It is changing when we view, and how we view our favorite shows.

 

The major networks like NBC, CBS, and ABC are creating highly interactive web pages that allows viewers to not only view full episodes anytime after it’s original air-date, but also interact with their favorite shows.

 

For example NBC’s home page is highly interactive. My favorite show “The Office,” has a web page within NBC’s home page in which you can view old episodes, view webisodes, and even keep up with your favorite characters via blogs. An “official” Dunder Mifflin web page is also setup, here you can apply to work for the fine company that is Dunder Mifflin.

 

All of these interactivities allow the viewer to be more connected to their favorite shows, creating a global community of office viewers. Convergence of television and Internet is allowing more individuals to view the Office than would be possible with only television broadcast on Thursdays. Now I can view the newest Office episode after I work on Thursday, and avoid hearing what happened before I get to view the Halloween episode.

 

I also have the option of using Hulu.com to view many different shows that I have missed. For example I watch “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” because I discovered it via Hulu. Hulu, created by News corp. and NBC Universal, streams free video of NBC and Fox shows, and web syndicates to AOL, MySpace, and even Yahoo.

 

Hulu is free because of their multiple 30 second, unavoidable web ads. However some of the ads are actually somewhat entertaining, and they are short enough that they do not create an interruption as much as the 3 minute TV ad breaks.

 

Take a few minutes and enjoy the 100’s of television shows available for your viewing pleasure thanks to convergence of Internet and television. Check out Dougie Houser… it was on before I was even born… but it is so cheesy it’s funny.

 

Hulu, and NBC’s web pages are great examples of how the Internet and television are like members of the “Super-Friends” uniting to protect the world from missing out on important media happenings like the latest episode of the Office… or possibly a presidential debate. 

 

Convergence of television and Internet allows for ultimate media coverage. Meaning no longer are we stuck to simply view our favorite show, now we can view webisodes, blog with our favorite characters, and even discover new shows via the web that we can watch via the normal means of television.

 

Convergence is allowing for a greater audience to view a single show with very few commercial interruptions online, while allowing for greater, and sometimes, immediate ad response via direct links to said product. I believe this is only the beginning of the convergence between these two great means of information dissemination. Soon, I believe, we will see interactive television-sets. I envision “television sets” that are basically computers, or computer connected devices allowing customized advertisements, and customized “prime time” line-ups. 

 

            Teacher: Joe, does that answer your question… Joe are you watching Hulu on your laptop during lecture...?

 

            Joe: … um no… I was … doing research. 

I found a new hobby ! 

Really excited about my newest discovery that is skeet shooting. 

Was never really one for guns... until I tried my hand at skeet shooting. 

I truly enjoyed that  small orange clay target to smithereens with a 12 gauge. 

This may seem to say that I am destructive... well possibly... however it is simply a sport... yes it is indeed a sport. 

I will always remember the first shot... setting up on station 1, seeing the low target sail across the field in a low tight arc, catching it in line with the barrel of the 12 gauge and yanking the trigger to see the first target explode into a large cloud of dust about 15 yards away. 

I am hooked... and yes safety first!!

You’re in the way of my script

 

--Nashville Tenn. Tom Brokaw to OBAMA and MCCAIN

 

 

 SNL might as well support McCain… because Sarah Palin (AKA TINA FEY) is boosting those poor ratings for which SNL has been receiving in the past few years.

 

While I am avoiding the issues and focusing on the “funny side” of this election how about  “Crazy Lady” yes that is her given name!! You know to who I’m talking about… that woman in the blue pant-suit (no not Hillary) sitting in the “D section” of Tuesdays debate who obviously had no idea what was going on but continued to smile and not change her facial expression the entire time OBAMA was speaking. SNL here’s some more comedic gold.

 

So any way I would say I digress… but truthfully I have written nothing to digress from.

 

So lets get political … political… Madonna – she thinks she’s British!?!?

 

I was never very interested in politics… that is until I turned 18 and was allowed to participate in the greatness that is choosing our great nations next leader. Now that I am allowed suffrage I find this history making election rather… lackluster. Now mind you I was expecting fire works… both literally and figuratively (I know I should be interested in the figurative fire works that are the facts and platforms… but I am not). Thus needless to say the most recent Presidential debate was rather tedious.

 

I have always heard “vote for the lesser of the two evils,” and I hate that… it angers me that many Americans are voting by default. That is picking the lesser of the two evils, voting for the other major party’s candidate simply because you hate the other.

 

This election features a well-spoken, polished intellect versus a more hardened, veteran of Vietnam and Washington.

 

The debate was a place for Obama to use his polished speaking skills. And I saw McCain as quite well spoken, though not as polished as Obama. Obama and McCain are indeed politicians; therefore they have a knack for avoiding the questions.

 

Analyzing the first question regarding the best way to help Americans suffering from the economic crisis it is seen that Obama has a well thought out plan… a bit too much like an outline… and we all know we never quite follow that outline that is written for the paper we are going to write. Obama lays out a plan yes, but what about the things that go in between bullet points. That is the true importance.

I believe he gave a great answer, however I believe McCain did a better job talking to the people, the voters. He has a more average feel about him… he is not overly polished. McCain stated his points of energy, home values, tax cuts, in a more conversational tone, allowing Americans to feel as though he was talking to them.

 

The McCain campaign focuses on Main-street America, and it shows from his selection of Sarah Palin, and McCain’s choice of Meg Whitman… an unheard of CEO. I believe this what

America needs… An American White-house full of people for the people. What our Country was founded on.

 

I truly do not feel like I am voting for the lesser of two evils… I feel as though America would be safe voting for either candidate. I believe Obama could do great things… McCain as well… but only time will tell.

 

NEXT DEBATE :  OCT 15 – HACK THE DEBATE

 

20 years in the business --

 

Journalism Professor Bob Wigginton spoke to our class on the issues facing the current newspaper industry.

 

Wigginton continued our discussion on minorities in the newspaper industry by telling us his mission as an editor with the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

 

Wigginton agreed that minorities must be present in the media, however he says that the best person must take the job regardless of race.

 

Wigginton told the story of his mission of introducing diversity in to the newsroom at the Democrat Gazette. Although he dislikes the word “diversity” he believes it to be necessary.

 

Wigginton arrived at the Gazette and he recalls that only one African American worked in the newsroom, and this in a state with 50% African American population. Wigginton made it his mission to bring in an African American journalist into his newsroom, and the community.

 

Wigginton discussed how, in this decision to promote diversity, it was important to hire someone with the skills not just the proper “color.” He believes that if you do not make an attempt at diversity, you will miss out on a great experience. You will also say the black community that you are not interested in them or their views.

 

Wigginton believes that often times whites believe whites are the best for a job, while often times minorities are truly the best for the job, however some people do not want to give them the chance because of the race difference.

 

He stressed that it is important that you not deny that sometimes it is possible to find minorities best for the job. Gannett Company Inc. has made it a point to promote diversity in its newspapers and on its news stations.

 

Wigginton believes Gannett is the “great satan” of the news industry. It is destroying journalism with the USA Today newspaper he explains. With too much splash and not enough information the paper is degrading the industry that is already in decline.

 

The industry is down with 1600 journalism jobs lost with in the last year, and 18 of these journalists being forced into retirement at the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Small town papers like the New Jersey Star Ledger must let go of many people or face a shut down.

 

The small town newspaper was important to the American news landscape, but with this shut down things will change. The newspaper is supposed to be a connection to the local community, however more and more small papers must rely on the Associate Press to fill the papers. This means fewer local stories, and fewer local journalists hired.

 

Wigginton wrapped up his question and answer session with a brief discussion of how difficult the newspaper profession is. He warns of his dealing with daily deadlines, rude people, and those who simply do not want to talk to the media. He however shared that his greatest reason for continuing was to make a difference in the world. He decided to leave the industry, but still wants to make a difference.

 

Wigginton is the newest professor in the Journalism school at Lindenwood. This new position allows him to continue to make a difference in the world by molding the new journalists of the world. He believes it is important that the next generation to carry on the torch of true journalism.

 

Journalism is the fourth estate of the government, and with out this watchdog role that journalism plays the world would be full of uninformed fools.  

Trivial Pursuit Pop-Culture = Higher IQ ?!?!

 

That’s right… according to “Close-Up on Controversy” Pop culture is making people more intelligent. So does that mean that in addition to asking Johnny if he finished his math homework, parents are going to be asking “have you played your Halo for the day?”

 

According to the article, Pop culture is making us smarter, but it is also making us dumber… that is correct -- another double-edged theory.

 

Steve Johnson, author of the book “Everything Bad is Good for You” states that story lines in sitcoms are becoming more complex than they were 30 years ago. The story lines of sitcoms like CHiPS and Happy Days, followed simple, single storylines of a few characters. Today’s shows, like the Office, and House follow many different plot lines and characters.

 

Why do the new shows follow a more complex story line… have people really been getting smarter because of increasingly difficult story plot lines in their favorite shows? Well even though correlation is not causation, the correlation is definitely strong.

 

 According to a study of IQ tests from 1920 - present, people have been getting smarter. Those in the top 10 percent of the 1920’s population would now be within the bottom third of today’s population IQ range. (Malcolm Gladwell, “Brain Candy”)

 

Education level has indeed increased over the last 88 years and has had a significant impact on IQs increasing. The increased IQ of individuals has led to the creation of more “cranial stimulating” television shows and video games.

 

So does television make us smarter? Well today’s television shows are… complicated due to Multi-threading, the use of many narrative threads of many characters that weave together to form an intricate television show. Shows are complex and full of references to political issues, classic films, philosophy, religion and other current events.

 

South Park is a great example of a modern television show stocked full of intelligent references to politics, current events and classic films. The show is irreverent and rude, however it had dealt with some intelligent issues in less than intelligent forms; and many young people use this as a way to gain information on the current world and its happenings.

 

South Park is a gateway to becoming informed on the world around us. South Park presents modern and pertinent issues in an entertaining form; this causes many young people to do research into the issues that are being expressed. This research makes people use critical thinking skills while analyzing the issues via different media sources to form an opinion on the issue(s). South Park is popular culture in itself, and I believe it, and most other shows are indeed making us smarter.

 

So what about video games… don’t they “fry your brain like an egg”… and yes I am referencing a cheesy PSA -- your brain on drugs. Many compare video games to a drug that simply steals your brain cells. However many argue that video games make people use critical thinking skills. Games like Halo and Call of Duty cause players use their minds to make accurate and intricate decisions that could affect the entire mission in a mater of seconds… like Chess on “crack”—Yes that is Pee-Wee Herman. Video games are a fun way to exercise critical thinking skills that players often do not realize they are using.

 

Like television shows, video games have become more advanced in their use of critical thinking skills. Look at Pac-Man of 1982 vs. Call of Duty 5. Yes Pac man forces the player to make quick decisions, yet those decisions consist of left, right, up, or down. Call of Duty however makes player make intricate decisions including all of the aforementioned actions in addition to say 30 more in one second. Players can switch weapons, duck for cover, and do many other things, and they must decide even quicker than the Pac-man expert.

 

Video Games and TV are indeed making people smarter by making them exercise critical thinking skills. The TV watcher must use critical thinking in order to form opinions on the issues satirized on South Park, while Call of Duty gamer must make split second decisions that could mean mission over or mission complete.

 

international student blog

When asked my top five movies of all time I have a hard time narrowing them down. However my top five American movies, in no particular order are as follows: Tommy-Boy, Remember the Titans, The Big Lebowski, Stepbrothers, and Monty Pythons’ Life of Brian.

 

All five of these movies have one thing in common: they are all comedies. Four of the five are American made, with Life of Brian being the only foreign made film. This British import is equally as quotable as say… “The Big Lebowski.” The fact that a movie is quotable is a way of testing its popularity in popular culture.

 

I believe the Life of Brian is a great example of how the importing of media into a country can influence its culture, in this case popular culture. I have enjoyed this movie since I was about 10 years of age. My interviewee, who happened to be 11 years of age and living in India was also enjoying this imported movie. This goes to show you that we, as consumers of media (in this case movies) are connected more than we think.

 

The media in modern India was quite similar to the media I enjoy in the United States of America. First my interviewee, who asked I not use his name, told me that he really did not notice a huge difference when he came to the U.S. in terms of television and movie media.

 

The television media in India is similar to American media in that the television networks are not government owned. The government opened its television markets in the early nineteen nineties to outside cable companies.

 

The satellite television in India boomed about the same time the American market did. The popular channels in India are MTV, CNN, the Disney channel, and even CNBC India. These stations are almost identical to those shown here in America.

 

The Indian station known as ZEE TV is an Indian owned company that broadcasts Indian Television in English and Hindi. The channel is much like an NBC or ABC, it broadcasts dramas, comedies and reality shows original to India. My interviewee mentioned many shows on this network, and one really looked interesting… take a look at Shabaash India

           

My interviewee mentioned a popular show that his small sister enjoys; apparently it is Hannah Montana. She even wants to have a band of her own, he told me.

 

 MTV is a way for some popular American music to find its way into India’s youth culture, according to my interviewee. Much of this music is not American though, for example his favorite band is American, but much of the music he listened to in India is Indian Rock. Because that is what old friend’s from home still listen to. As a teenager he remembers not having internet (not because of government control, but rather parental control) and wanting it to listen to American music. But now he enjoys modern Indian Rock music thanks to his “forced listing” due to lack of Internet.

 

As far as movies go my interviewee asked me my favorite movies, and I listed those above, he had seen all but Remember the Titans. And two of his top fives of all time matched mine. His favorite was the Life of Brian, and he also listed the Big Lebowski. However the Life of Brian is a key concept in this look at similarities in cultural media outlets. Life of Brian is a British movie and an import in to the U.S. and in India. The fact that we both recognize this movie as our favorites show that media from one nation can have a control over many different countries’ popular culture.

 

Many accuse America as influencing many countries culture and standards, and this is true, however according to my interviewee he enjoys American media from music to movies to television. He feels as though watching American movies and television in India helped him adjust quickly to American culture because he “knew what to expect… at least kind of.” He says the movies, especially comedies are most popular and influence young people in India to want to act like Americans. This leads me to believe American media makes us look like “clowns” only looking for a laugh.

 

Gen Y

I’m blogging ‘bout my generation… “Generation Y” that is. Generation Y has quite a few aliases: The Millennials, the iGeneration, and even Generation WHY. From these pseudonyms one could make a couple of reasonable assumptions regarding what constitutes a Millennial. The term iGeneration is a simple title with a seemingly simple explanation. The “i” preceding “generation” is an obvious reference to Apple’s beloved iPod. This nickname seems to simply expose that Millennials are music lovers who own an iPod. This assumption is absolutely true, however this “i” represents much more. “i” represents all that the iPod, and its cousin the iPhone stand for: a way to be connected, connected with the world and its media, a way to be connected with the popular culture of the age, and a way to be connected with friends at all times.

So with these simple assumptions made who is Generation Y? According to 60 minutes there are 80 million of us, we were born between 1980 and 1995, we only take yes for an answer, we come first, and we are “all winners.” We are tech savvy “narcissistic praise hounds” who cannot take a harsh comment, our parents (the baby-boomers) and Mr. Rogers told us we were all special, and we are unprepared (?) for work because of this. We are changing the face of business with our flip –flops, iPods and Yoga lessons. We are not going to settle with one job, we are going to keep adapting and changing until we find the career’s we want because we “can be what ever we want.” We will transform the office into a much more efficient, flexible, and nicer place to be.

I agree that I am a part of Generation Y based on the media test (score 21) the age group, as well as most of the assumptions made on 60 minutes. I was born in 1988 to upper-middle class baby-boomer parents in suburbia. I will admit that I do like to hear yes as an answer, but who doesn’t. I was indeed always told that I was a winner, and that I could do what ever I wanted. I believe this is quite true, and Mr. Rogers did indeed tell me I was special… but then again as a cynical child I remember thinking “hey isn’t he telling everyone else they are special too” I want to be more than special… I want to be above the rest, so I work harder and longer than many of my generation. I believe everyone is a “winner” in there own way, however I want to be a champion among winners.

I do enjoy praise, do I work harder for praise… yes, I suppose I do, but don’t we all to a point. I believe our parents (and Rogers) did not ruin us, they simply took a more nurturing approach and they may be on to something… it is said that millennials are changing the workplace for the better. Maybe that is because our parents want us to succeed and perhaps the inflated self-esteem gives us that ability to have our fun while doing exceptional things in the workplace. We are the new phase of the workplace and the elders need to adapt as they exit the workforce. 

I do however feel as though some of the more negative aspects described do not describe me properly. I am not someone who needs to be constantly praised for small tasks. I am a self-motivated person with out the need for a boss acting as a “coach.” I do not buy newspapers but I listen to the paper on my iPod in the morning on my way to class. I know that we are called narcissistic, however it is also said that we put family and friends first over job and career, so we cannot be that narcissistic. It is said that millennials do not hold summer jobs, I do, admittedly not until college, but none the less I do hold a job all year round. I work hard and feel as though my work ethic is more similar to that of the Baby-boomers. I am quite offended that we are stereotyped as only working to be praised by parents and “boss-coaches.” I work hard because I am indeed slightly narcissistic, and I want to be the champion among winners. I want the older generation to understand that we are hard workers; we are their sons and daughters… we are told we will be successful and that is our plan. 

The older generation in the workforce need to understand our goal is success, but we also want to have fun while being successful… and the earliest millennials have proven that we can do both. This is due in large part to our increased knowledge of technology and how to work efficiently and smartly. The older generation needs to understand that we may wear flip-flops and listen to the news on our iPods but we can still relate to them in many ways, and they should treat us as adults. We are reached easiest via email, text message and Instant Message. These new text based communications are still secondary to spoken communication. We communicate in code only via text message and Instant Message not in spoken language… do not try to be “hip” just speak to us like your peers. 

What are you doing this Labor Day Weekend?

Enjoying a few days at the Lake?
A Bar-B-Q in the back yard?
Raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)?

The latter is how I have spent my last 12 Labor Day holidays. My family and I began volunteering when I was only 7 years of age, at the Jerry Lewis M.D.A. Labor Day Telethon.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a non-profit organization that raises funds to eradicate neuromuscular diseases. In addition to research, MDA also funds services to individuals and their family’s affected by one of the 43 muscle wasting diseases. One of the most popular programs offered by MDA is their Summer Camp for children affected by the diseases.

The MDA Telethon began in 1965 in New York, and was soon syndicated throughout the nation. The local St. Louis Telethon now raises well over 2.3 million dollars, all of which stays in the metropolitan area to fund research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Jerry Lewis became MDA’s key spokesperson in 1965, immediately following the first Telethon. Lewis was a popular funny man, actor, and producer prior to becoming MDA’s number one volunteer. Lewis has yet to reveal why he became involved, however it is assumed that he made a personal connection with a child affected by a neuromuscular disease.

All adults and Children affected by one of the many muscle-wasting diseases affectionately refer to themselves as Jerry’s kids. While MDA provides services to all, one of the most popular is the MDA Summer Camp for kids aged 6-17. This camp, provided free of charge, allows kids with all abilities a great camping experience with their peers. Local news anchor, and Telethon host, Mike Bush, recently portrayed the camp in a recent story titled “The Happiest Place on Earth.”

Bush’s most recent set of stories portray a multitude of issues, from how a young boy was diagnosed with a form of Muscular Dystrophy, to the advances in research being made to find a cure for these diseases. This series is being featured on News Channel 5 in an effort to raise awareness for, and to promote, the Telethon. The stories will be airing Monday, August 25th, through Friday, August 29th at 10:30 pm on News Channel 5. All stories will be posted for viewing as they are published to News Channel 5’s video library.

The 2008 Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon will take place August 31st through September 1st, at Grants Farm, and televised live only on News Channel.

MDA Camp: A picture perfect place