1) Media and Socialization

2) Mass Mediation of Leisure

The Industrial Revolution gave the working class more leisure time. As leisure became more important to society, becoming part of that leisure became more important to mass media.

3) Commercialization of Culture

The Industrial Revolution also brought the concept of rapid consumption of goods and services. And Mass Media played a key role in promoting consumption.

2) Mass Mediation of Leisure

The Industrial Revolution along with the widespread use of gas and electric lights gave the working class more leisure time. And, as leisure became more important to society, it became more important to mass media.

The entertainment industry realized activities were needed to fill increasing leisure time.

Businesses realized that increased leisure activities meant more opportunities for businesses to advertise products.

Case Study #2

Product Placement

Incorporating products in media programs has become critical to a show's financial success.

Ford Explorers were used in Jurassic Park the movie. In the novel, they were Toyota's. Ford offered the producers of the film more money.

And there's the famous example of E.T.

M&Ms were the first choice for E.T. But Reese's Pieces made a better offer. Sales of Reese's jumped 70% the month after the film opened

The new genre of reality programs couldn't financially survive without product placement. For example, "Top Chef" scrips the contestants praising the various products used in the show, along with loving close-ups of the product logos. "Top Chef's" product placement is so egregious, it became the subject of this satire from The Onion.

The movie "Man of Steel" earned a record $160 million dollars in product placement.

Advertising Age - "Superman Reboot 'Man of Steel' Snares $160M in Promotions"

Go to the Readings and read "How Product Placement Works" "Alcohol Companies Marketing with Music Lyrics" and "What the NBA's G-League Deal Means for Sports Marketing."

3) Commercialization of Culture

The Industrial Revolution also brought the concept of rapid consumption of goods and services.

And Mass Media played a key role in promoting consumption.

"America has always been a nation of shoppers. The dawn of mass production brought new ways to sell goods at affordable prices, and the department store, mail-order catalog, and five-and-dime expanded our cultural horizons. When the German economist Werner Sombart asked, in 1906, "Why is there no socialism in the United States?," he found the answer in the fact that American workers wore better clothes, and lived in bigger, more comfortable homes, than their European counterparts did."

"In the 20th century, supermarkets and discount stores made shopping universal. Today, mass consumption has become an entitlement, like Social Security and veterans' benefits. Whether we study consumer guides or push our wire carts from warehouse club to outlet mall, we are searching for our dreams."

Click here to read "Attention, Shoppers: Your Dreams in Aisle 3"

Cover of 45 rpm single for Ralph Records. Art director: Homer Flynn