Popular Culture ~ Assignment 1-2

Popular Culture

     Popular culture is evident in our everyday lives. It is a set of trends and behaviors that people of society adapt to and accept as a part of cultural norms and values. It is something or someone that has gained a sense of popularity from others.  It is the very things we do, the images we see, what we hear, the entertainment and arts, or the ideas and customs of our culture and lives. It is what we are doing right now and what we have done in the past. It is what we will do in the future.

     Popular culture is within the news, the television programs we watch, the fashions or styles we wear, the music we listen to, the networking sites we go to of social media like Facebook, to the classes we attend, or the topics we discuss at various times of the day. It is not restricted to race, age, sex, religion or even group size. It can be found anywhere between two friends or an entire nation. Popular culture has shaped our lives into what they are today and will continue to do so for the rest of time. Once consistency becomes boredom the trend dies down as something new comes to take its place creating a new era of popular culture.  In general, pop culture is the main stream of society defining what we should be and look like in order to be “popular”.

     Understanding pop culture is important when it comes to business because it helps business professionals to be innovative in their approach when it comes to marketing.  Understanding their client’s perceived wants and needs based on current trend and values is a great way to grab and keep their attention.  If a business is not keeping up with the current wants and needs of their customers than customers are more likely to choose their competitors or someone who is.  It gives companies an extra added benefit and sets them apart from competitors and those around them. At the same time it gives them an opportunity to find commonality with their target audience and consumers making it easier to do business with new or existing customers.  In relation to a future career, it is helpful to understand the concept of pop culture because it instills a skill of innovation that could potentially separate you from other job candidates. 

          An example of a pop culture artifact that I have chosen is a Coach purse. The company that was started in New York City in 1941 has become an important part of the fashion industry. Coach offers handbags of all shapes, sizes, colors, designs and materials and range in price from $100 up to over $1000. It has a stage coach for its symbol and always has a tag with its name on the strap. It does not matter how pricey they are because people will buy them for the name. It is a huge part of our culture.

          They not only expanded to women’s shoes, jewelry, clothing, luggage, accessories and even perfume/makeup, but also a men’s line as well. The company is always making and selling new designs to keep up with the current trends in society. I chose Coach because they are everywhere! It is a trend that has become a part of my life and many other people as well. They are products that I value and use many different Coach products every day. Coach is a company that has been a part of our culture since 1941 and will continue to grow and change with the trends in our society. 

References

Browne, R.B. (2005). Profiles of popular culture: A reader. Madison, WI: The University of   Wisconsin Press.

 

Coach, Inc. (2013). Company Information. Retrieved on July 7, 2013, from

      http://www.coach.com.

Petracca, M. & Sorapure, M. (2009). Common culture: Reading and writing about American popular culture. (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.