Research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 21

Research Paper Example er, images of female beauty portrayed by most advertisement, communication, and interaction platforms, make women to adopt unhealthy living habits, as they strive to meet the over exaggerated standards of being beautiful. This trend has brought about research by various scholars into the effect of media on women’s view of beauty, pointing to reduced self-esteem, among other negative issues associated with unrealistic body images. This paper explores and critically analyzes existing scholarly evidence, showing the relationship that exists between media and the rise in women’s unhealthy habits like eating disorders, as they practice beauty. The subject bears a huge impact, given the pervasive nature of media and accompanying socio-cultural expectation of women to be symbols of physical perfection. Prior to analyzing the effect of media in shaping the beginning of female beauty and body image, it is important to first understand the meaning of this aspect. According to Luff and Gray (133), body image refers to â€Å"the inner representation of a person’s outer appearance.† This means that one’s body image is a reflection of both physical and abstract views about their appearance. These scholars also emphasize that body image is linked to the self-concept and self-esteem. For instance, a negative perception of one’s body image translates to highly reduced self-esteem and subsequent dissatisfaction with oneself. Body image is particularly of concern during adolescence and young adulthood, since it is in the course of this phase that individuals undergo numerous and rapid physical and mental changes that pave way for self-discovery. It is also during this important developmental stage that people, especially girls and young women become more vulnerable to external influence from peers and information sources like various forms of media. With coverage to media increasingly becoming prominent and provocative by day, body image is certainly a major topic of

History of Haute Couture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

History of Haute Couture - Essay Example Many scholars of the world have associated haute couture with the classy and luxurious lifestyles. Going way back to the 17th and 18th century when fashion is believed to have been invented, French fashion trends were simply the best in the entire of Europe and the rich, wealthy and the powerful individuals of the world travelled across the borders just to have a taste of the classic outfits in the French fashion market. These encounters laid the foundation of the Haute Couture a fashion that would later revolutionize the entire world’s fashion industry (Tortora & Keith, 2010, p. 19). The Haute Couture that is known today by many individuals of the world originated in the 19th century and was founded by Sir Charles Fredrick Worth (Ginsburg, 1989, p. 55). This is the person the scholars of the world credit with title ‘the modern Couture founding father’. Having founded his own couture house in the early 1858, Sir Charles Fredrick Worth introduced to the world very important innovations to the fashion industry through organized fashion shows. Following the elegance display of dresses on live models, his fame spread across the world like a bush fire and his work pleased very powerful and wealthy individuals of the time the likes of the famous Princess Metternich. Several years down the line, Charles Fredrick Worth together with his sons founded an association for the Haute Couture Houses. This was simply a criterion that the fashion designers of the time had to meet in order to be declared as ‘couturiers’. Ever since, the name has not only been regulated by the specific criteria but has as well been regulated by the government of France and reserved for only a number of persons. There is an exclusive class of designers who are only allowed to use the label in their designs. In the recent past, eligible haute couture houses are only determined by a commission

Anna Quindlen Essay Example for Free

Anna Quindlen Essay When you think great American author, many people think of Anna Quindlen. She won many awards. They include but are not limited to a Pulitzer and two Clarion Awards. She is an older sister and a daughter, as well as a wife and mother. Anna Quindlen has published many, many literary works, including novels, children’s books, nonfiction works, columns, and new table pictorials. This woman is not only an author, but she is a role model and hero to some, having accomplished her dreams with great dignity and grace. Anna Quindlen was not always Anna Quindlen the famous author. First, she was Anna Marie Quindlen, the oldest of five children in Philadelphia, and later on, New Jersey. She has one sister and three brothers, all of which are younger than she is, her sister being the youngest of the five. When Anna was nineteen, her mother, an italian woman, died of ovarian cancer at age fourty. She uses that experience in much of her writing, such as â€Å"A Short Guide to a Happy Life.† This left her with only her father, and Irish man, as most of the characters in her books such as â€Å"Object Lessons’ are. Since she was a teenager, Anna Quindlen has been a feminist, and although her reasoning has changed quite a bit, she still remains one. Anna currently is married to a man named Gerald Krovatin and has three children. They all live in New York City. This incredible woman has written and published four best-selling novels. They are â€Å"Object Lessons,† â€Å"One True Thing,† â€Å"Black and Blue,† and â€Å"Blessings.† â€Å"Black and Blue’ was made into a movie as well as â€Å"One True Thing†. Anna also has three collection of her colums published. They consist of â€Å"Living Out Loud,† â€Å"Thinking Out Loud,† and â€Å"Loud and Clear.† She also wrote about her own personal experiences in â€Å"A Short Guide to a Happy Life, â€Å"Being Perfect,† and â€Å"Imagined London.† â€Å"Being Perfect† is a national bestseller as well as â€Å"A Short Guide to a Happy Life.† She was a columnist for the New York Times from 1981 to 1994, and 1990 was a big year for her. In that year she was given the title of the third woman in New York Times history to write a column for the Op-Ed page. In 1995 Anna became a full-time book writer and left her column and journalism. In 1992, Ms. Quindlen won a very honorable prize. In the category of Commentary, Anna Quindlen won a Pulitzer Prize. However, she did not stop there . She went on to win a Mothers At Home Media Award in 2001, and two Clarion Awards. The first, in 2001 for Best Regular Opinion Column in a magazine, and the second in 2002 for Best Opinion Column from the Association for Women in Communications. Annna has received honorary doctorates from Moravian College, Smith College, Denison University, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Mount Holyoke College. She was also give the University Medal of Excellence from Columbia. Ms. Quindlen was also a Victoria Fellow in Contemporary Issues at Rutgers, a Poynter Fellow in Journalism at Yale, and a Fellow of the Academy of Arts Sciences. These things, among others, are what set her apart from others, and she has something to show for her achievements. And so Anna Quindlen accomplished more emotionally than any other woman on Earth. She was the third woman to write a certain column for the New York Times, and a best-selling author at the same time. As a role model for women everywhere, Anna Quindlen went from being little Anna Marie Quindlen to the great woman she is now. Her words have allowed the people of the twenty-first century to make great life choices and love people for who they are. Anna is thanked and revered for as long as she is remembered, which will definetly be for years and years to come.

Swot Of Virgin Atlantic And The Airline Industry

Swot Of Virgin Atlantic And The Airline Industry For its service company is well recognized and has been getting rewards which are providing them with a strong brand image. Zagat, 2009 ranked them as leading players for international inflight services like entertainment and flyer program. Also by travel weeklys 2009 virgin Atlantic was ranked as the best international airline. http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2009/01/28/30064/globe-travel-awards-2009-all-the-winners-by-category.html Also in Western Europe, company has been ranked on first place in comparison to British Airways, Air France and Lufthansa. Also in January 2010, company has received award of Best Scheduled Airline and Favourite Airline. A good brand is a competitive advantage for the company to make position in global market and also to compete with its competitors. http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/20/32852/globe-travel-awards-2010-the-winners-in-full.html Comprehensive Services Company provides a good service to its customers. Services like check in facilities, baggage handling, meal catering, and in-flight entertainment. It is one of the largest British companies which provide long haul international airlines. Sometimes they also provide passengers with special treatment i.e. providing them with the special meals, mobility aids and also with the health camps at the time of departure and arrival. Virgin Atlantic also offers flying clubs on which they can earns miles and after having a specific number of miles they can have a free ticket. It is one of the largest airlines that provide long haul tours all over the world. Strong financial performance Company is enjoying a strong financial performance even during the financial crisis and economy crisis. 2007 2008 2009 Turnover 1,816,200 2,010,900 2,238,800 Profit Before Tax 31,400 6,000 49,800 Profit Margin 1.73 0.30 2.22 In 2009 the company turnover has increased by 10.17% as compared to 2008. Also the profit before tax increased by 87.95% to reach  £49,800 in fiscal year 2009 compared to  £6000 in 2008. Also profit margin increased from 0.30 to 1.73 in 2009. From the financial analysis we can see that company is enjoying the strong financial performance that has allowed the company to expand its operating activities in both markets i.e. domestic and international. WEAKNESSES Private Ownership Its really difficult for the company to raise capital as it is private owned, which gives unfavourable position to a company in comparison to publically owned company. Publically owned company have healthier access to capital market, and also superior financial flexibility in funding initiatives. Virgin Atlantic airways needs extensive capital to grows its business market for that they have to be under public ownership rather than private ownership as private ownership provide limited amount of financing option for the company. Lack of Scale Virgin Atlantic airways in its operation is lacking behind with large players in the market i.e. large players like British Airways and Air France- KLM operates in 300 and 249 destinations whereas Virgin Atlantic is only functioning in 30 worldwide destinations only. Also British airways and Air France- KLM got fleet base of 245 and 635 aircrafts whereas Virgin Atlantic got fleet base of 38 aircraft only. So we can conclude that its competitors are large in size which gives them a competitive disadvantage. OPPORTUNITIES Growth of Global Airlines Industry With the help of research it has been found that airlines industry has got a tremendous growth in past few years and is expected to grow more in future. Researchers found that airlines industry worldwide had total revenue of $467.4 billion in year 2008. By 2013, the airlines industry globally will get the revenue of $609.3 billion i.e. increase of 23.30%. In 2008, 2.1 billion passengers travelled with the source of airways. Researchers forecasted that by 2013 the volume of passengers will increase to 2.6billion i.e. by 19.23% since 2008. Right now Virgin Atlantic is only operating in 30 destinations globally. In future as the global airlines industry is growing, it will provide an opportunity to company to increase their operating destinations which help them to increase their revenue and market. Global travel and tourism industry is growing Air travel industry is well-known within the transport and tourism industry, as it is the only source of transport for international travellers. With the help of research it has been found that in 2009 over half of the UK population had travel by the source of air travel, which tells that the demand for the air travel is very strong. Even at the time recession, the outlook for the air industry remains stronger for the long term prospective. With the help of World Travel Tourism Councils Tourism Satellite Account research we are able to discovery that the revenue passenger-Km has grown to 11.9% in June 2010. This has helped air industry to recover from the volcanic eruption in April. Also it has been found that the Real GDP for the Travel Tourism Economy was -4.8% in 2009 and now in 2010 is expected to be 0.5%. Also they have predicted that the world travel and tourism will produce over $13trillion for the period of 2008-2017, i.e. is the average growth of 4.3% per annum. We can conclude that in future increasing of global travel and tourism industry will generate additional revenue for the virgin Atlantic airways. (http://www.wttc.org/eng/Tourism_Research/Economic_Research/Monthly_Update_of_Tourism_Indicators/) THREAT Intense competition and price discounting Intense competition and price discounting The airline industry is characterized by substantial price competition, especially in domestic markets. Carriers use discount fares to stimulate traffic during periods of slack demand.Virgin Atlantic competes on the basis of price, customer service, costs, frequency and convenience of scheduling, frequent flier benefits, efficiency and productivity. Some of its major competitors include, AMR, Air France-KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines System, Lufthansa and UAL. In recent years, the domestic market share held by low-cost carriers has increased significantly and is expected to continue to increase, which is dramatically changing the airline industry.The increased market presence of low-cost carriers, which engage in substantial price discounting, has diminished the ability of the network carriers to maintain sufficient pricing structures in domestic markets to achieve profitability. In addition to price competition, airlines also compete for market share by increasing the size of their route system and the number of markets they serve. The increased competition in these markets, particularly to the extent the companys competitors engage in price discounting, may have a material adverse effect on the companys results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. EU regulations The European Union has passed legislation that came into effect beginning early 2005, for compensating airline passengers who have been denied boarding on a flight for which they hold a valid ticket. The legislation also imposes fixed levels of compensation to passengers for cancelled flights, except where the airline can prove that such cancellation is caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as weather, air-traffic control delays or safety issues. Passengers subject to long delays (in excess of two hours for short haul flights) would also be entitled to assistance including meals, drinks and telephone calls, as well as hotel accommodation if the delay extends overnight. In addition for delays, over five hours, the airline would be required to reimburse the cost of the ticket or provide rerouting to the passengers final destination. The imposition of the regulation would significantly increase the expenses incurred by Virgin Atlantic and may affect its profitability. Rising aviation fuel prices Due to the rising oil prices globally, the prices of aviation fuel have gone up substantially in the past few years. The average cost of a gallon of commercial jet fuel in the US has increased since 2000, from $0.7 per-gallon in 2000 to $1.9 per-gallon in 2006. According to the Air Transport Association (ATA), at a usage rate of 19.5 billion gallons of fuel a year, each penny increase in price per gallon adds $195 million in annual costs for the airline industry. Aviation fuel, which comprises the largest cost component for a transporter, is responsible for the declining margins of most air transportation companies. As a result, some logistics companies incurred huge overheads while operating in many low-volume destinations. This trend could impact Virgin Atlantics margins too as it is mostly reliant on air freight business. Slowdown of global economy According to the IMF world economy outlook, the world economy will slow sharply in 2008 and in 2009, with the US likely to slide into recession triggered by the current financial turmoil. The IMF forecasts, that the global economy, which grew by 5% in 2007, will lose considerable speed slowing to 3.9% in 2008 and 3% in 2009, marking the lowest growth rate since 2002. In the past, the IMF has called global growth of 3% or less the equivalent to a global recession. Virgin Atlantic operates through 30 countries globally. A weak global economic outlook is likely to impact demand for air travel and the company cannot offer any assurances in regards to the performance of its business model under changed economic conditions. Therefore, Virgin Atlantics business is likely to be adversely affected

Cortes : The Two Face :: essays research papers

Cortes: The Two Face   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Don Fernando Cortes was either a misguided religious extremist on a quest to serve his earthly king and immortal god or simply an entrepreneur who wished to achieve great status, power and wealth. Cortes is in love with the idea of conquering new worlds in the name of God to convert their heathen inhabitants into righteous followers of Jesus. The problem is that Cortes is also in love with himself and the future power that he might one day hold. Cortes is largely a hypocrite and shows that very much through his actions. He often tells his men and the king that God undoubtedly on there side. He attempts to prove this through his accounts where describes his small regiments of no more than one thousand men defeating massive armies of forty thousand to two-hundred thousand Indians. Many times it seems though Cortes truly is being helped by God but he quickly contradicts these possibilities with his sinful actions. Cortes seems to get a large amount of help from God for someone who reacts with merciless vengeance and accepts slave women as gifts. However, one might say that Cortes could be forgiven for his ignorance in accepting human beings as property because in the 1500’s the Catholic Church in Spain lead its followers to believe that the act of slavery was in fact not a sin. Cortes explains that he merely wants to enslave the Indians so that they may better learn the ways of the Catholic Church and of Spanish culture. He figured that it was his duty to enslave these people because it was the only way of turning them away from their horrible sins such cannibalism, sodomy, and their horrific practices of sacrifice. Cortes attributes much of his success and victory to the will of God. â€Å"They should observe that God was on our side, and to Him nothing is impossible, for, as they saw, we had won so many victories in which so many of the enemy had died, and none of us.†(Cortes, 63) He feels that God is helping him to punish theses people for their sins and save their souls by helping to enslave them for it’s the only way to lead them towards Jesus Christ. There is a chance that Cortes truly was a genuinely a religious man believed strongly in the true principles of the Catholic faith but it’s not likely.

The Musical World of Aaron Copland Essay -- Biography Music

Aaron Copland was born on November 14th, 1900 in Brooklyn, New York, United States (3). His parents, Harris Morris Copland and Sarah Mittenthal Copland, were Jewish immigrants from Russia (6). Copland had four older siblings who grew up together. When he was eleven years old, one of his sisters, Laurine, taught him how to play a piano (3). Laurine also influenced to his musical world by introducing him to ragtime and opera (6). From 1913 to 1917, he took his first formal piano lessons from Leopold Wolfsohn (3, 6). Wolfsohn introduced him to the pieces of the great musicians such as Beethoven and Mozart. When he was fifteen, he attended a concert by composer Ignacy Paderewski. The dream of becoming a composer sprouted inside him after attending the concert (3). While he is attending Boys’ High School in 1917, he began to study composition and music theory through taking corresponding courses taught by Rubin Goldmark (2). Rubin Goldmark was a very conservative American composer, who discouraged modern music. After his graduation from Boy’s High School in 1918, he chose to study composition with Goldmark instead of attending to a university (6). He also received piano lessons from Victor Wittgenstein and Clarence Alder. He was exposed to various genres of music by attending to operas and concerts. The Cat and the Mouse (1920) was his first published composition that was not shown to Goldmark. The Cat and the Mouse is a literal composition which fast tempo depicts the mouse while slow tempo depicts the cat (1). In 1921, he wrote the Piano Sonata for Goldmark (6) Copland did not like the conservative musical world of United States (1). After he completed the Piano Sonata, he left United States and continued his studying in American... ...siconline.com/subscriber/article/opr/t237/e2406>. Web. 3. Copland, Aaron, and Vivian, Perlis. Copland: 1900 through 1942. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1987. Print. 4. Copland, Aaron, and Vivian, Perlis. Copland: Since 1943. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1999. Print. 5. Griffiths, Paul. "Copland, Aaron." The Oxford Companion to Music. Ed. Alison Latham. Oxford Music Online. 16 Jan. 2011 . Web. 6. Howard Pollack. "Copland, Aaron." Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. 16 Jan. 2011 . Web. 7. Pollack, Howard. Aaron Copland: The Life and Work of an Uncommon Man. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1999. Print. 8. Kamien, Roger. Music: An Appreciation. New York: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages, 2010. Print.

Kentucky Fried Chicken IMC approach Essay

INTRODUCTION Markets throughout the globe have become more complex and sophisticated, and it has become complicated for marketers to reach their target markets through direct traditional marketing. Thus, organisations have acknowledged the increasing importance of applying the integrated marketing communication (IMC) approach in their marketing strategy. The effective implementation of the IMC approach can facilitate and enhance an organizations communication based on its product offerings whilst simultaneously taking advantage of the various available promotional tools to strategically reach its target audience. Many South African companies have decided to utilise the IMC approach to maximize their return on investments in marketing and promotion. The objective of these organisations is to effectively and efficiently apply the promotional tools of the IMC through increased understanding of its customers while powerfully communicating its product offerings and thus yielding a positive response with the modern customer to choose its products/services. The IMC process requires marketers to be creative in their approach to communication. Marketers need to think critically of the messages they want to communicate through integrating the elements of the promotional mix which are advertising, direct marketing, interactive marketing, sales promotion and personal selling. The aim of this critical evaluation of the IMC campaign is to determine the use of Integrated Marketing Communications being used at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in order to create brand equity within KFC. This objective can break down into five objectives as follows, To understand the nature of KFC’s market, To determine the need for and the benefit of IMC in KFC, To determine the important aspects of IMC in KFC, To determine the barriers in applying IMC in KFC, To study the situation of KFC in the South African market, To analyze and define the significant role of KFC as executed in sales promotion strategies in the fast food South African market. The fast food market is seen with strong exponential growth. The challenge is to develop a competitive edge based on an old need, introducing new and innovative marketing ideas to better the competition. One of the concepts  used by KFC is the â€Å"Add Hope marketing campaign†. Also, with very intense competition, KFC needs to cut through the clutter using this campaign as a point of difference. The negative stigma on fast foods, regarding health related issues is also a challenge to be addressed. The communication objectives are identified as to cut through the clutter of brands and create a product that is better than the rest by being different and creating campaigns that go further than just the quality of food being sold. The â€Å"Add Hope marketing campaign† of KFC will include a thorough discussion of Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), a brief background of KFC, a description of the â€Å"Add Hope marketing campaign†, and a critique of the campaign. BRAND BACKGROUND â€Å"KFC launched their Add Hope marketing campaign in October 2013, to highlight World Hunger Relief Month and is still running until today due to the immense success. KFC encourages the general public to make a personal contribution toward alleviating hunger in South Africa by adding just two rand to your KFC meal. The money obtained from the Add Hope campaign is used in feeding schemes to reduce hunger in all parts of South Africa.† TARGET MARKET – KFC’s Add Hope campaign targets all age groups. When one walks into a KFC store, the Add Hope campaign is advertised everywhere, from in-store counter strips , boards, posters, staff t-shirts, caps, badges to serviettes and even an in store porcelain dolly with a money box at the entrance. This encourages all customers to literally add hope. KFC also allows you to add two rand or more to your meal which goes to the add hope campaign. This is directed to the person paying for the meal usually an adult whereas the little dolly with the money box is directed to children as they may find it entertaining to drop a coin or two in the box. The marketing strategy of using the dolly at the entrance of a store in my  opinion is brilliant, as it makes one sympathetic towards a barely real child. COMPETITORS – KFC’s competitors is every other food outlet. KFC’s is by far the first to think of such a campaign. This campaign does not only benefit them with sales but also benefits the entire nation. It’s difficult to get actual competitors in this case as most businesses compete with others for their own benefit. PERFORMANCE IN ITS MARKET – The KFC Add Hope campaign is very successful as it is running from October 2013. â€Å"Consumers have donated over R6 million in R2 coins at KFC restaurants nationwide.† This shows that the campaign’s performance all over the country was a success and is still striving towards success. MARKETING OBJECTIVES – KFC’s objective is not to only increase sales but also to help their community and the under privileged through their feeding schemes. Every six seconds a child dies of hunger. KFC’s objective is to reduce hunger and poverty nationwide. MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS OBJECTIVES – KFC’s marketing objective is to make every customer aware of the Add Hope Campaign. This is achieved by advertising the campaign everywhere possible. KFC advertises for the campaign through mass media which is television and radio as well as print media such as billboards, on the serviettes, in store advertising, on the receipt a customer receives after their purchase their meals and as well as the t-shirts and caps that their staff may wear. They also use personal selling, for example when you at the till the cashier may tell you more about the Add Hope campaign or ask if you wish to add R2 to your meal for the Add Hope campaign. IMAGE – KFC’s image has been improved due to this campaign. Consumers now see KFC as a franchise that is not only concerned about their success but also the well being of the community. Consumers find it more overwhelming to purchase their meals from a franchise of this type as they may feel that they are indirectly making a difference and helping their community in the long run. POSITIONING – â€Å"Positioning is defined as the art and science of fitting the product or service to one or more segments of the broad market in such a way as to set it meaningfully apart from its competitor.† (Book-pg55) KFC achieved this by changing their cultural symbol, Colonel to a child to show that all proceeds from the Add Hope campaign goes to feed a hungry child. REFERENCING We Can Change. 2011. KFC highlights World Hunger Relief Month. [Online]. Available: http://www.wecanchange.co.za/Editors/Articles/tabid/55/itemid/57/amid/376/kfc-highlights-world-hunger-relief-month.aspx. [Accessed: 1 September 2014]. KFC. 2012. kfc would like to thank you for adding hope. [Online]. Available: http://www.kfc.co.za/zone/post/kfc-would-like -to-thank-you-for-adding-hope/. [Accessed: 1 September 2014].