Rap Sheet Records

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Target Market Strategy

I would target “Fortune Nookies” to the younger, hipper, and more outgoing crowd. Possibly airing radio ads on hip music stations and partnering up with brands like UFC and the NFL to reach the young males watching these events with their large group of friends. By establishing my product as a way to start the night, the hipper crowd could make eating “Fortune Nookies” a tradition amongst the younger consumers. Sort of like the first shot of the night.

Situation or SWOT Analysis

A strength my product has is it is unique to the market and it appeals to young men. The sense of humor that comes along with the packaging and the overall concept would make my product a hot commodity amongst the younger generation of males. Along with the packaging, my product will create discussion and memories which will persuade consumers to buy more “Fortune Nookies”, possibly becoming a tradition for young men every time they go out to drink with the “fellas”. A possible weakness would be the target market. The males only approach could possibly alienate women. On the flip side, the exclusivity of “Fortune Nookies” could become a great gift idea for men. Women could purchase this product which would promote more “guys night out”. Opportunities “Fortune Nookies” could create are producing revenue within sports bars, strip clubs, and even man caves. “Fortune Nookies” could be sold anywhere guys would want to hang out and could create a sort of partnership within these businesses.

Objectives

My objective for “Fortune Nookies” is to create a good atmosphere among bar patrons and party animals alike. To create memories with friends and set the tone for the night. I would want my product to be something young, outgoing men could identify with. Promoting “Fortune Nookies” with a sense of humor appeals to those looking for a good time.

Business Mission Statement

Our vision is to bring good times and create fond memories for our everyday man. Whether the next round is on you or your best friend, "Fortune Nookies" will raise the bar for entertainment while you and the fellas sit at one. May your next "guys night" bring many fortunes and just as much nookie.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Week 7 EOC: The Pitch

If I were to create a snack to encourage bar patrons to drink more, I would create a snack for men. My product would be from China. A fortune cookie made of pretzel, appealing to men in a "guys night" setting. The cookie would be in a shape of a woman's breast and would include "fortunes" describing desirable outcomes. For example: "You will get laid tonight!" or "You will not feel hung over tomorrow". Because the target market would be outgoing men with a sense of humor, the cookies could be labeled as "Fortune Nookies" because of their unique shape. These fortune cookies should be found in typical "guy" hangouts. Such as strip clubs, sports bars, and even man caves. "Fortune Nookies" would taste the same as pretzels and each fortune would bring men to discuss the product instead of just eating them when intoxicated. The actual fortunes could serve as an ice breaker in a party setting.
The background story for this product would start with Phileas Fogg, who in my product line, would be portrayed as the ultimate party animal in which guys can relate to. While on his 80 day adventure to drink alcohol from different parts of the globe, Phileas stops in China to try the infamous white wine, also known as Baijiu. He stops at a local establishment and asks for the drink specifically. Being the party animal Mr. Fogg is, he drinks way too much and passes out on his stool. While unconscious, Phileas is visited by the Baijiu Dragon. The Spirit of the "White Spirits". During his dream, the Baijiu Dragon takes Phileas to a massage parlor where every well endowed masseuse is eager to accompany Fogg. Upon returning to reality, (or consciousness) Phileas Fogg comes to with his head in a bowl filled with smashed fortune cookies. Within the bowl, Phileas finds pieces of ripped fortunes coincidentally reading, "Fortune Nookies"

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Week 6 EOC: Me Times Three

Three products I use on an everyday basis are my Mac, my ipod, and my Xbox 360.

My Mac describes me because it highlights my artistic side as Mac computers are targeted to a younger, hipper, and more artistic demographic. I use my Mac for school projects and my personal projects, such as recording music. Being a student, my Mac relieves me of the burden of working with a slow computer. With so many projects due, a Mac on my side is a valuable tool. As an artist, my Mac works well with my recording software, Pro-Tools. Having that Pro-Tools and Macs are compatible, using this software without a Mac would be like eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the jelly. Owning a Mac defines my educated side, and my artistic side.

My ipod defines my love for music and, like my Mac, highlights my creativeness. The sound of music playing through my headphones sparks the inspiration needed to write my next big hit. Just one verse from 2Pac could be all I need to hear to be able to express myself freely on my next track. I can always be spotted with a pair of headphones with music playing. I try to make it a point to make sure I leave home with my ipod in hand. Without it, I feel naked and the world seems a lot quieter. My love for music would be suppressed if it wasn't for my ipod. I believe my life would be a whole lot duller without some form of a portable music player. Something as mundane as my nine to five is at least a little more bearable with my ipod.

My Xbox 360 defines my laid back attitude. To be able to relax with a nice cold beer and watch Netflix through my Xbox provides me with a pleasurable experience, when taking a break from the pressures of work and school. If I'm not in the mood to watch a movie, I can easily pop a video game in the disc tray and explore a new world. The Xbox 360 is the perfect mechanism to get away without going anywhere. Now with the advancement of technology, I can even play online with my friends in other states who without my Xbox wouldn't be possible.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Week 3 EOC: Making Money For Good

A for-profit company similar to TOMS or Campbell’s Soup is Sevenly. A business started by entrepreneur’s, Aaron Chavez and Dale Partridge who shared a belief that people mattered. Wanting to make a difference, Sevenly was created with the intention of raising massive social awareness as well as funds for charity. Their overall goal is to “activate intentional generosity and love for others”. They both feel that by allowing people to purchase a product that gives money to a cause they support, they encourage donors to connect deeper with these charities. Each week, (or weekly cause campaign) Sevenly chooses a different organization to donate $7 with every purchase. “This week your purchase funds an undercover rescue mission, freeing children sold into sex slavery” states the Sevenly website. Money raised during this weeks campaign goes to Destiny Rescue; an organization dedicated to rescuing, restoring, and empowering children who have been afflicted by sexual exploitation. So far this week’s campaign has raised $21,903/$28,000, 985/2,000 Facebook shares, and 91/700 Pinterest Pins. This campaign ends in 15 hours and 46 minutes according to the website’s counter. Past campaigns include donations to organization such as TWLOHA and HOPE: Global, and T.A.P.S. TWLOHA, dedicates it’s efforts to provide help to those suffering from depression, addiction, self injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery. To date, Sevenly has donated $22,526 towards the TWLOHA charity. HOPE: Global operates to restore justice and morale to war-torn countries devastated by genocide and poverty. Money raised for HOPE: Global totals to $19,922. T.A.P.S is a charity founded in 1994 establishing itself as the frontline resource to families and loved ones of our military’s men and women. T.A.P.S provides care and comfort through comprehensive services and programs including peer based emotional support, case work assistance, and grief and trauma resources. Donations to T.A.P.S are currently totaled at $49,862.

www.sevenly.org

www.twloha.com

www.taps.org

About Me

As an audio professional it is in my best interest to observe the world around me in relation to sound. Whether it be the melody of birds chirping, the intensity of screeching tires in traffic, or the serenity of raindrops tapping on the window pane. Each day presents unique opportunities to capture audible images. Sound is everywhere, and it helps to paint the picture. For example; if you watch TV without sound, it is difficult to understand what it is you are watching. But if you listen to the TV without watching, you can visualize what you are hearing. By listening to my surroundings, I can have a clearer idea of what is needed to bring a scene to life, or which sound effects can be used together to make a more realistic sounding car accident, or even matching the sound of a gun shooting a metal target. Similar to anyone's fingerprints, no two sounds should be exactly alike. Meaning, two dogs barking in a quiet neighborhood should have variety in tone, rhythm, consistency, and even pitch. One dog may be older and have a wheezy sounding bark, while the other could be a smaller dog with a higher pitched yapping bark. In this line of work, one can never have too many “dog barking” or “bird chirping” sound bytes in their personal sound effects catalogue. A sound recorder should be attached to the sound designer’s hip at all times. With more variety brings a deeper sense of realism. How many times have you heard the same sound byte of a woman screaming in more than one horror movie? Or the sound of children’s laughter in a diaper commercial and a Chuck E. Cheese ad. Reality shows are infamous for recycling sounds bytes. In my opinion, it is because the sound editor lacks range in his sound effects library. Just as no two sound bytes should be alike, no sound is too distinct. If I needed the sound of someone getting stabbed, for a Foley project. I can always improvise. Maybe try cutting into a watermelon or raw meat, the fun comes with experimenting. Along with being able to capture sounds, one in the audio industry should be able to describe and communicate the type of sound required for each project. In the field, it is common to work with other people. Whether it be talent or director, either of these will be depending on me as the professional to convey what is needed to add color to a certain scene or act. Or even when recording music, deciding which effects to use to make the talent sound even more talented. Maybe a delay here? A little reverb after the chorus? With so many effects to choose from, even the worst singer can make a hit record. That's the beauty of it, to be able create an audible masterpiece from scratch. The behind the scenes work which goes un-noticed to the untrained ear (if done correctly), is what motivates those in this creative field. To be sound Gods and being a part of history by creating beauty for others to enjoy. This is why we spend countless hours staring at computer screens, listening to the same audio loop until it loses it's meaning. To show off our passion and share that same passion with millions of others just like us. Because every project you work on will have your name on it, it is another opportunity to showcase some skills of your own. Skills ranging from A.D.R. (added dialogue recording) to mastering. Because one in this profession usually has his or her hand in every aspect of the industry. One will never go hungry in the audio industry if they are jack of all trades and master of them as well. An audio professional can always jump around in the field if there's ever a need for something new and refreshing. Movies, live sound, voice acting, broadcasting, and even audio books. the possibilities are endless! In addition to recording sounds, being aware of acoustics of a recording area, proper microphone placement and handling is key to capturing optimum sound quality. A great orchestra can sound dull if the acoustics of a room aren't suitable for recording and or proper recording techniques are not practiced. Techniques such as placing a microphone at a 45 degree angle above or below the speakers' mouth to avoid any unwanted popping sounds. Proper handling of microphones is just as important, blowing into a ribbon microphone can cause damage and be quite costly. Knowledge of audio equipment is also a requirement in this advancing field. Staying up to date with the latest consoles, microphones, and even software as well as the more traditional resources to recording, as some artists prefer using the "old school" method. Digital or analog, Pro-Tools or Logic, to be familiar and confident in one's abilities to perform in the industry might be the edge needed to gain the upper-hand in this very competitive market. As a professor once advised me, "If you want to work for Cirque du Soleil, learn to speak French". The slightest advantage could mean getting hired or getting passed up. Even something as minor as wrapping cables correctly can be the determining factor which bends in your favor. Never stop learning! And don't get too comfortable or too set in your ways. Try new techniques, play with different microphones and different pickup patterns to achieve your audio signature. The same way a movie director uses unique camera angles to depict a shot, an audio engineer should use unique and distinctive audio techniques to portray the desired effect. Instead of resorting to the generic sound bytes, why not think outside the box and create something fresh? Bringing creativeness to the table appeals to artists who feel their art is "restricted" when working with someone they can't relate to artistically. They say if you work at doing something you love, you will never work a day of your life. Working in an artistic environment doing what you love is the ultimate payout.