Portfolio TAS

Target Audience Statement for the Final Portfolio Project

The purpose of this website is three-fold. One, I enjoy academic pursuits, especially involving research of cultural phenomena. Two, that I am not the best at producing media; and three, that I write well and put those skills to use in researching a wide array of topics. I want my audience to be impressed at my writings and my incessant desire to learn and select me as a candidate for hire in my dream job.

To that end, I direct my message to a college environment. Since I am fairly certain that I want to be a professor, my audience shall be college professors in the field of media studies. Narrowing that down even further, I will target department chairs of media studies programs across the US- these are the people who have hiring power. They should, also, have a desire to learn, but a much more specified set of research interests so that I have the potential to offer new ideas to their curriculum.

This portfolio emphasizes my research and my ability to present it; this combination is critical to survive as a professor. It also points out weakness in media production, which makes my writing look even stronger and validates my claims that I am a researcher, not a producer. Together, these things market me as a viable candidate for a position as a professor in a media studies program.

IM2 TAS_Kizer

Sam Kizer

COM1111 04

TAS for IM2

            My intended message is quite simple but so often overlooked. The art of thanking people for things they have done for you seems to be falling by the wayside. When teenagers or young adults receive some form of gift from an older person (i.e. friend’s parents, etc.) it is crucial to thank them in a way that is meaningful to them, not for you. This how-to was meant to convey that fact and hopefully encourage young people to write thank you notes more often.

            The target audience for this message is young adults (18-22) who receive gifts, vacations, or other “love” from parents of friends. In that light, colleges with a wealthier demographic will be targeted- lots of expendable income is available. Although it is somewhat bad to say, these young adults are driven by money and desire to keep friends who provide tangible things (i.e. not necessarily true friendship).

            The how-to video shows how to write thank you notes, something that can be done quickly and on a cheap budget, leaving money for other recreational activities. Highlighting a formal note-writing style alludes to the fact that rich parents will be receiving the letter, reinforcing the audience’s desire for wealth. By making the parents smile, young adults will likely get more things in return. 

TAS for Audacity 2

Sam Kizer

COM 1111 04

TAS for AUD 2

            My intended message consists of two key parts. Driving can be a real pain, and road hazards (such as potholes) can cause harm to your car, despite your best driving abilities. Geico Insurance allows you to insure your vehicle against such unintended damages. I desire for the audience to consider purchasing Geico to insure their cars. I want the audience to laugh at the hilarity of the main message, but also think, “wow, what if that really did happen? Would I be prepared?”

            I am targeting single females, ages 18-45 (young adults and mid-aged), who have minimal expendable income and possibly have a poor driving record, necessitating the need for cheap insurance. This message will be aired in urban areas with a large population of the demographic. As such, these women often prowl the town for leisure activities such as clubbing, dining, shopping, etc. and need their vehicle to keep up with such an active lifestyle. They are obedient to the local laws but have a general disregard for anyone other than herself.

            The music at the beginning is intended to set the tone for the pothole speech- the road hazard is personified as a jerk, essentially. The urban lifestyle of the target audience makes the song a reasonable choice. As for the message (which was used on an actual commercial), the voice of the pothole is intended to reflect the attitudes of the target audience while making a point. The road doesn’t care about what you as a driver thinks, and you, audience member, don’t care about the hazards on the road, but you should. The last phrase is intended to bring the audience back in from laughter and encourage them to ponder about purchasing Geico. After all, you never know when a pothole will take a toll on your car. 

ID2 TAS

Sam Kizer (1111-04)

Target Audience Statement

InDesign Project Two

31 October 2011

            Autism is a complicated disorder, but people on the spectrum bring uniqueness, difference, and joy to all those they meet. This event celebrates these concepts through an evening of fellowship with like-minded people by promoting understanding and research of autism spectrum disorders. The speaker and the entertainment reinforce these ideals, as well. The intent of the message is to strike an emotional chord with the viewer; that is, allow them to recognize how they have been affected by someone with autism- in this case, a teenager. Additionally, I hope that each viewer will feel energized and excited to attend the event (hence, the use of yellow, a color often overlooked.)

            This event is aimed at middle-aged, wealthy parents (ideally married) of teenagers with an autism spectrum disorder, especially those living in or near the Charlotte metro area. Because the teen years and autism are a terrible combination, it is assumed that, while the parents love and are greatly affected by their teen, they are frustrated and having a hard time parenting during this turbulent time- this event should offer guidance and insight. The demographic may be stressed at work and/or becoming distant from their teen, and therefore needs some direction to be an active part in his or her life through middle and high school. The viewer is likely confused, but willing to take risks for the sake of his child.

            People with autism often think in absolutes- there is no “grey area”, so to speak. The use of grey on the poster reinforces how the parents think, allowing them to (hopefully) understand the difference and encouraging them to bridge the gap. The use of multiple colors conveys the never-ending surprises brought with autism, and the joy and complexity of the disorder. Yellow, specifically, was employed to excite to viewer and prompt him to purchase tickets to the event. The blue and black used on the ticket and poster allowed for other colors to “pop,” like autistic teens do with their personalities. The overall idea was to make the event formal, but still playful and innocent like their teenagers that it celebrates. 

Coke Zero TAS

The target audience for Coke Zero is males, aged 19-22, who are currently enrolled in postsecondary education and supplied with a small budget for food every month outside of their meal plan. They are trying to lose weight gained during their first year at college, but love soda too much to sacrifice it entirely. At night, they stay up late and need caffeine to keep up with their studies. They need a soda that provides the energy boost without the added calories and sugar, as well as a product that can be bought on a whim and at minimal expense.