BP Image Crisis

                In any advertisement campaign in the world today one that is still interesting from the past is BP before and after the oil spill. The reputation they had earned from the spill seems to have been set in stone, but people hardly think about the issue today. They seemed to have done an image overhaul in just a short amount of time after the oil spill incident. Questions come to mind like how can people not remember the company had such an event on their history? Interest is peaked by how they had to enhance their advertisement campaign to a whole other level. So, how can you look at how this happened from an analytic perspective? The answer begins in the past with how BP has advertised in the past and ends with current advertisement campaigns. The issue seems to have been averted in some ways by the clever use of PR.

            In the past BP didn't have to worry about the situations that would unfold in years to come. BP was beginning a campaign for cleaner fuels just before this incident happened (BP Goes For Public Relations Makeover To Get Beyond Gulf Spill, 2012). Advertising seemed to already be adjusting to the day and age we are in now for many are looking for fuel alternatives. It seems that this campaign was being built, but not at the degree that it would take in the future. Concern with the environment was a key element to how they were advertising. Then the oil spill happened which would change BP for life (BP Goes For Public Relations Makeover To Get Beyond Gulf Spill, 2012). The incident would call for a complete overhaul of the company image. Advertising had to take a turn for BP was using a clean environment campaign while oil was being dumped into the ocean. So, now the problem was how can they revive themselves from such a disastrous situation? People remember these situations and how they are handled so that seems to have been a key aspect. The new advertising campaign seems to center around higher quality from their products and environmental awareness. Even the quality of their gas seemed to become a topic BP made apparent to their customers (BP Goes For Public Relations Makeover To Get Beyond Gulf Spill, 2012). The advertising seems to have taken a turn to the benefits of being a customer. BP wanted to make the customer aware that they are important just like the environment we live in as well.

            What would then be considered the face of BP to the general public? The public may not know who the CEO is, but they see the logo every time they drive up to the gas pump. The next move for BP seems to have been changing their logo from the old street sign with BP in it to what could be called a environmentally friendly logo (Deneen, 2010). Their reasoning that is being given seems to have a link to the environmental advertising. BP seems to have wanted to show that even down to their logo they are committed to their environmental cause. The logo seems to be meaningful in the aspect of solar power and wind power (Deneen, 2010). These are two of the projects that seem have some deal with their new advertising campaign. So then how are they working on these programs? BP has invested a large sum of money into the alternative fuel programs (Deneen, 2010). The company wants to show they are advancing to the future not on past programs. BP wants to show that after the incident we are a new company so they have changed their identity. The new logo seems to be a way to get away from the association of the incident to their company.

            The change in the advertisement campaign seems to have been a move that was well calculated. It seems that they took steps necessary to make up for the situation that had unfolded. Which leads to the thought that no matter how the company is viewed they have resolved what was once an image crisis. So, the question at hand seems to be if the plan BP enacted was a good solution. Well in the aspect of solving their image crisis it seems so. BP is still in the petroleum market, but also expanded to other markets. Out of the incident BP invested a lot more money into other programs. BP in thus has started to expand the company over different markets now. These actions have created the company seen before the public today. The new marketing strategy was in thus successful overall. In the issue overall it seems the apparent lesson is that with enough image management a company can rebound off their history. The process of their advertisement campaign was not overnight. Overall the advertisement campaign was in the end not only selling oil, but also selling themselves as a company to the public.

Sources Cited

BP Goes For Public Relations Makeover To Get Beyond Gulf Spill (2012). BP Goes For Public   Relations Makeover To Get Beyond Gulf Spill. Retrieved from:            http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2012/02/07/bp-goes-for-public-relations      makeover-to-get-beyond-gulf-spill/

Sally Deneen (2010). BP before the oil spill: An environmentally friendly company? Retrieved       from: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/06/11/bp-before-the-oil-spill-an environmentally-friendly-company/

Video Game Violence In the Media

                Violence in the media has always been very prevalent from different news stations throughout the time. The question is why video games being portrayed differently. Not as in the way we see different cases, but in the language we use between media and the researchers. It seems no matter what the topic you will always have different meanings when the same word comes from different places. In the research avenue they are looking at the idea of violence in video games as still being tested (APA). The research is still being conducted on the issue of video game violence and its effects on people. So right away it seems that we still don’t have a set answer to the main question how to talk about violence. People want to look at violence as these actions in the real world. The studies are still underway for if violence from a fake setting effect the real world.

           
          In the research violence is being studied under the idea of the word being abstract. The violence of video games is in studies linked to cause increase in the factors that create violence (APA). This language looks at violence under the idea that it can increases these factors, but also looks at the idea as not creating the situations. Their research has been able to see changes that can be examined (APA) Why is violence still an abstract idea? In this field they can’t just use language without having a definite definition on the matter. Studies are still being done to test what happens when this violence is encountered. Factors are always around that could change how we have to view these words on different topics. In one study they measured amount of hot sauce people gave to others after playing violent video games (APA). It showed that the people who did play the violent games did tend to give more hot sauce. Violence is still on the lower level as described. They seem to see violence as something that may manifest in a small amount unconsciously not extreme levels due to the video game violence.

            

            In an article from the New York Times they seem to look more into the issue from the psychological studies. The news source seems to look at the issue of violence based upon the different types like short or long term (Carey, 2013). In their definition of violence they seem to look at the issue also in a more abstract way. They seem to want to see what the studies yield before they make any assumptions. Current cases have looked at the issue of video game violence in association to video game violence (Carey, 2013). The source looks at the current argument, but seems to keep looking for answers. They don’t seem to be allowing one aspect to cloud their judgment of the issue. Another site examined was ABC news on another case of violence which has had some thoughts of video game violence being involved. This site seemed to question the link off of interviews that the main reason was due to video game violence (Chang, 2013). This shows the change of language from news site to site. The site shows that it looks at violence at more of an extreme action coming from violent video games. They don’t state that this is the reason, but it seems to show how they will use different language between the issues in the different site. Just the placement of the wording can make a difference between how the issue is viewed. The site does look at the opposite side of the issue, but it wording is different.

            
         The outlet in which these stories are published will always be a main difference in how language is used. It seems that every media station may have its own standards for their reports. Some may see more scrutiny over being based in facts than more opinion pieces. So, the idea of what is acceptable may come into play with these pieces. The difference in language seems to show that the audience has openness to the opinion pieces. Then the other side is the media that wants to talk to the audience about facts. They want to educate the audience more than influence through opinion. The wording thus shows how it can be used in the issue to influence the audience in some way.

 Works Cited

American Psychological Association (2013). Violence in the Media — Psychologists Study TV       and Video Game Violence for Potential Harmful Effects. Retrieved from:        http://www.apa.org/research/action/protect.aspx

Carey, Benedict (2013). Shooting in the Dark. Retired from:            http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/science/studying-the-effects-of-playing-violent video-games.html

Chang, M John (2013). How Violent Video Games Fit in with Violent Behavior. Retrieved from:        http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/navy-yard-shooter-played-military-style-videogames    relevant/story?id=20285169

Net-Neutrality?

            One big issue that is rising in the courts today is net-neutrality. First topic is what is net-neutrality? This is the idea that when information is being sent over the network that no information will be sent at faster speeds or slower speeds (Lin). The idea is the internet should be equally available to all parties. The question is why is this an issue if it should make things equal. The biggest issue that seems to arise is people thinking it will take away their freedom on the internet (Lin). So now we have two sides to the argument one saying net-neutrality will be a good idea in moderation. The other side looking at the issue and saying that they don’t believe that the government can tell them what they get on the internet.

           

            So let’s start with the first side of the argument for net neutrality. The biggest reason for net neutrality in their mind is the equal access (Lin) The people all deserve to have equal access to the same information at the same speed. The positive they see with net-neutrality will be the lessening of the company oligopoly (Lin). The idea that multiple companies are acting as door ways you need to go through to get information. How is this a problem then don’t they always act in this way? The apparent problem is that out of anyone being cheated it is the consumer by the company. The issue is certain sites can get preferential treatment trough a certain internet provider over another (Lin). So now think of going on a site how do they get their information to you? They need someone to go through for a connection to the consumer. Why is this an issue then? Well people don’t want to pay more for services in the old system it allows the services to pay for certain connections (Lin). The only issue is favoritism in the business world. The one service could pay more to get a better connection. This also stands true that if you can’t afford this connection then it will worse service for the consumer. The internet is a system that needs some regulation to survive in the new times (Wyatt, 2014). It seems that the regulation side wants to see some system to protect the people. They don’t want to see a crumbling of the new technology due to unequal access.  The way the internet is not regulated now is hurting one main audience the consumer (Lin).

           

          Then the argument of leaving the internet in its present state appears. The first attempt at the net neutrality was the open internet policy. What is the open internet policy this was the courts attempt to allow for an equal internet (Marquez, 2014). The main issue is there is already so many that have such an issue with the policy. They feel that this open internet is just the same plan with another name it seems. Another issue that seems to be apparent is that the industry is already successful so why does it need regulation (Marquez, 2014). People don’t want to see changes that will effect our internet usage. Then the idea of making third party companies pay for the difference was also unheard of to the companies (Internet regulation, 2014). Companies then would have to make up for the difference to allow the consumer the equal access. So why would this be an issue if the company pays the difference? Well as mentioned before no one likes to pay more money for a product. Many think that this plan would increase the cost of services on the consumer. These are just a couple of different arguments about why not to regulate the internet.

        

             So the arguments are similar in certain ways. They seem to both bring up the issue of the cost on the consumer. They also seem to have some worry on the idea of government regulation. The biggest similarity between the two different arguments is that people want their freedom while using the internet. The arguments also have their differences in who they seem to be worried about. In the regulation side they are worried about the consumer mainly which they seem to direct their argument at. Then in the con side they seem to be more direct on the benefit of how companies will provide service. The biggest idea is that the regulation argument looks at the non-regulation and does acknowledge the cons, but rebuttals. The con will not acknowledge the plan and seems to talk nothing about possible benefits. In the end it seems both arguments are to serve the public, but in different ways. The regulation side wants to see the consumer protected. The non-regulation side wants to see the companies protect as well as the consumer in certain areas.

Works Cited

Internet Regulation Not neutrality (2014). Internet Regulation Not neutrality. Retrieved from:            http://www.economist.com/blogs/schumpeter/2014/01/internet-regulation

Marquez, Jose (2014). Opinion: Battle over Internet regulations is the civil rights struggle of the     21^st century. Retrieved from: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/opinion/2014/09/25/opinion-open   internet-principles make-sense-for-all-consumers/

Lin, Ray. Network Neutrality. Retrieved from:          http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~raylin/whatisnetneutrality.htm

Wayatt, Edward (2014). Perspective from both sides of his desk fcc chairman ponders net            neutrality. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/29/business/with perspective-from-both sides-of-his-desk-fcc-chairman-ponders-net-neutrality.html?_r=0

Loaner Car Question

A big story in the news right now is the huge recalls GM has issued. The car company is now handling one large issue which is the ignition switch failure. It is great to see the company doing something to help their clientele. The ethical issue seen through searching many sites in this story was the acclaimed hidden loaner car. The main issue some have pointed out is that when the owner contacts the dealership a loaner car isn't always offered (Picchi, 2014). The main topic isn't if the car was offered, but why does it seem to be so hard to find this information out. GM has responded back with the information that they have offered the cars all over the media (Picchi, 2014). The question is why these stories are surfacing against them if the car was so readily available.

            The one story  viewed was of a woman who received the recall, but couldn't give up her car to get fixed (Picchi, 2014). She claims to have driven the car until she said the steering became weird (Picchi, 2014). She has made the claim that because she had no other option she had to drive what is thought to be a defective car. The woman claims that the dealership didn't offer her a loaner car to drive while the car was in for repair (Picchi, 2014). She claims that the recall she received didn't have the program for a loaner car described within (Picchi, 2014). The question raised by this claim was GM wasn't including information about the loaner car in the recall notice. So if this is the fact then it would be ethically wrong to withhold information from the consumer. GM has made clear that they have advertised that the recall program does include that the loaner car is included in the program (Picchi, 2014). They have expressed that they have broadcasted over many forms of media to get the point across (Picchi, 2014).

Attorney Eric Gibbs also seems to think the loaner car program was hidden (Weisbaum, 2014). He thinks the program was hidden to minimize expense (Weisbaum, 2014). The question that comes to mind is why? The company has noticed the issue and wants to solve it so why would they make it hard to get a loaner car? People can’t lose their cars which are key elements for their jobs which show the purpose for the loaner cars. He claims that the dealerships seem to all have different responses when asked for the loaner car (Weisbaum, 2014). The issue here is why there are different answers to this question. Why would the dealerships if told to give loaner cars not offer them immediately if for an extended period of time of repairs? In another story it seems that the number of people in loaner cars is only a small portion. The author wrote that only about 1.7% of recall recipients have been given loaner cars (Krisher, 2014). This then brings up another issue of people needing to get a loaner car, but haven’t. If this is fact ethically it is wrong the clients deserve to have the issue handled with utmost care. The consumer can’t be guaranteed that their car will last and repairs are not a fast process. Another story tells of an attorney who owns a GM make car which they couldn't tell her when the parts to fix the car would be available (Krisher, 2014). The loaner car issue seems to stem off into many different issues in result. She in this case did get a loaner car from the dealership (Krisher, 2014). The question that seems bothersome is how many people can’t get a loaner and are driving potentially defective cars.

 The issue is the loaner car program seemed to be not apparent to the clients in the beginning. If the claims of the loaner car is being semi-hidden are fact then it is ethically wrong. The second issue that seems to pop up is that there aren't enough cars to give to recall population. Some have received the loaner cars from the dealerships, but some have to drive the recalled models. It seems to now not be the issue of the loaner car being vaguely described, but not enough for the demand. The issue is why the company can only give such a small percentage of their clients a loaner car. The expense would be an issue overall, but why is only a small percent receiving the loaner cars? There are many individuals that have to drive these cars without the fix to the ignition switch. So this then means that if they can’t receive a loaner car they have to drive the cars that aren't deemed safe. The ethical issue is the lack of loaner cars provided by GM now could put someone in danger. It is common knowledge that the company can’t provide a loaner car for everyone, but why only such a small population. So could this be to save money during this issue like Eric expressed. They seem to think of the company thinking of the bottom line over its consumers.

Sources

Krisher, Tom. (May 8, 2014). Owners of recalled GM cars face long repair waits. Retrieved from       http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/05/08/gm-recall-repairs    waits/8851779/

Picchi, Aimee. (August 28, 2014). GM (quietly) Offers a Loaner Car for Recalled Cars.               Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/gm-quietly-offers-a-loaner-for-recalled-cars/

Weisbaum, Herb. (April 4, 2014). Why is GM’s Loaner Car Policy So Hard to Find? Retrieved     from http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/gm-recall/why-gms-free-loaner-car-policy-so    hard-find-n71951