The Hashtag Bowl: Media Literacy Opportunities (Pt 2)

Jan. 30, 2015 Whether it’s using hit movies like Frozen as an icebreaker to talk about social shunning, bullying, social emotional tough stuff or Super Bowl ads as learning tools to ferret out what’s REALLY being said, sold, packaged, and presented at every age and stage, Shaping Youth is all about leveraging pop culture touch points as ‘teachable moments’ to instill critical … [Read more...]

Homework? Super Bowl Ads and Media Literacy

January 27, 2015 After updating prior Super Bowl posts about the persuasion, impact, influence, and latest trends in Super Bowl Ads, (including this new NFL PSA against domestic violence) it's imperative to also call out the "repeat offenders"...corporations that consistently produce toxic imagery and narratives in spite of criticism to elicit brand change.Two standouts are … [Read more...]

Truth in Advertising: A Bipartisan Body Image Bill Addressing Childrens’ Health

May 3, 2016 Take Part! Seth Matlins gives an update on the status of H.R. 4445, and continues his worthy campaign for children's wellness via this poignant post, "Dear Parents: Victoria's Secret is Also Raising Your Child." You can take action here to urge others to co-sponsor the Truth in Advertising Act, and follow Seth on Twitter using the #TruthInAds hashtag. (Image via … [Read more...]

GoDaddy Swaps Sexualization of Women for Objectification of Men

Jan. 27, 2015 Update: Animal Abuse Now? #NoDaddy. Horrific Ad. Sadly, 2015 Go Daddy swaps commodification of bodies for commodification of helpless animals, with a tone deaf 'breeders over shelters' puppy stance using living beings as props. (Reminder, use DoNOTLink.com to keep from giving them any SEO lift)So wrong headed on so many levels, including the attempt to be … [Read more...]

Media’s Portrayal of Father Figures

June 15, 2017 Update for Father's Day 2017! Author of  "All In," Josh Levs, offers this worthwhile related feature via MediaShift.org titled "An Online Battle to Correct the Media About Dads." He also created a handy mythbusting interactive "tool" shining light on facts vs fiction in the pop culture public arena of advertising and entertainment. Clearly dads are NOT "tools" … [Read more...]