Current Culture Image

 

A regular feature in CPYU's weekly Youth Culture e-Update e-mail resource is the "Current Culture Image." In this section we highlight an image from popular culture, often an advertisement from a popular youth oriented magazine. In the e-mail we provide a low resolution image of the ad along with discussion starter questions or ideas. On this new page we will begin archiving the images and discussion starters along with a downloadable high resolution copy of the image for you to use in presentations. We hope you'll use them to spark interesting conversations with the teens in your youth groups. This will help them begin to discern advertisements from a Christian and biblical worldview. The most recent "Current Culture Image" will be loaded to the top of the list each week.

 

Archived Current Culture Images

Follow the links below to find archived current culture images. The latest images will continue to be added to the table below.

October - December 2008 Archive

July - September 2008 Archive

April - June 2008 Archive

January - March 2008 Archive

October - December 2007 Archive

July - September 2007 Archive

April - June 2007 Archive

January - March 2007 Archive

Current Culture Image Info

Current Culture Image


This Old Spice ad appeared in magazines back in the 1960's. The print reads "Choose the gift that comes through with flying colors... Old Spice for Dad." This ad could be used to discuss the changing nature of advertising and consumer products. The grooming product industry for male adolescents and young men is booming. Compare this ad to any of the newer Old Spice ads targeted for a younger demographic.

/files/Current Culture Image/2009/2nd Quarter/60's Advertising - Old Spice - lores.JPG
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This is an ad for a VTech Internet Radio. It can be found in the May 2009 issue of Spin. The radio is displayed with the words "hear the world" underneath. Above the radio is a list of cities from around the world. This ad serves as a reminder that music still plays an influential role in the lives of teens, even as CD sales continue to decline. We can also be reminded of the shift in how students are listening to and interacting with music compared to prior generations. Use this to spark discussion with the teens you know to learn more about their changing media-use habits.

/files/Current Culture Image/2009/2nd Quarter/Vtech 5-13-2009 lores.JPG
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This image is from a series of photos taken of models sporting clothing inspired by the book and film Twilight. The series appears in the April 2009 issue of Teen Vogue. The photos are not meant to simply highlight a certain fashion trend, but also serve as marketing pieces for the clothing and accessories being featured. The designer of each article of clothing is listed on every page. First, this image could be used to discuss the more subtle ways marketers attempt to target teens. Second, it brings up the opportunity to discuss how popular culture and media influence trends, fads, behavior and even fashion.

/files/Current Culture Image/2009/2nd Quarter/Twilight Clothing 4-9-2009 lores.JPG
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This is an older ad from credit card company Discover that could be used to address the reality of marketing credit cards to college students, and the lifestyle of consumption that goes hand-in-hand. The ad reads "Those who can, do. (Those who can't sit in their dorm and eat macaroni & cheese.)" Smaller print continues "Quarter cup milk & butter, processed cheese and no life. Hey, use your noodle, get the card. If you don't got it, get it."

/files/Current Culture Image/2009/1st Quarter/Discover 2-24-2009 lores.jpg
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"Your cigarettes may get jealous," states this Snus tobacco ad which appeared in the February 19, 2009 issue of Rolling Stone. Snus is a smokeless tobacco product from Camel. With cigarette sales declining, tobacco makers are pouring more money and effort into the development and marketing of smokeless tobacco. This particular ad promotes the teen-friendly flavor of "Frost." Use this ad to help teens realize the many ways in which they are marketed to. Teach them discernment skills that will allow them to spot lies in advertisements targeted to them.

/files/Current Culture Image/2009/1st Quarter/Snus 2-18-2009 lores.jpg
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This Axe body wash ad appeared on the back cover of the March 2009 issue of Blender. Images of several young adults appear in a storyboard fashion. They are intended to provide a visual description of their previous "wild" evening activities. The four separate storylines each tout a different Axe body wash - Fever, Recovery, Shock, and Snake Peel - and tagline that corresponds with the photos. The taglines read "Get Caliente with Fever," "If you can't remember the night before remember Recovery," "Wake the f%*# up with Shock," and "Scrub away the skank with Snake Peel." The ad sends the message that using the proper body wash will help reconcile former debauchery.

/files/Current Culture Image/2009/1st Quarter/Axe 2-11-2009 lores.jpg
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This Keds ad appeared in the March 2009 issue of Teen Vogue. Consumers are encouraged to "walk your walk." The Bible calls followers of Christ to walk a different walk, one that leaves selfish desires behind. Deuteronomy 5:33 tells us "Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." Micah 6:8 asks and answers "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Use verses like these to help students understand the type of walk God calls us to versus the type of walk that the world beckons.

/files/Current Culture Image/2009/1st Quarter/Keds 2-3-2009 lores.JPG
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This ad appeared in the February 2009 issue of Seventeen magazine. It features nail polish from OPI in a cross-promotional marketing campaign with the new 90210 show on CW. The nail polish is inspired by characters from the show. This ad can be used to discuss how advertisers are co-branding their products with celebrities, television shows, artists, etc. in hopes of connecting with teens.

/files/Current Culture Image/2009/1st Quarter/90210 OPI 1-22-2009 lores.JPG
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This Nissan ad appeared in the January 2009 issue of SPIN. Underneath the picture of a sports car are the words "Want? Need? Same Difference." This ad could be used to spark a discussion about our consumeristic, materialistic, and self-centered culture. Explore the differences between personal wants and desires and what is truly needed.

/files/Current Culture Image/2009/1st Quarter/Nissan 1-6-2009 lores.JPG
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Archived Current Culture Images

Follow the links below to find archived current culture images.

October - December 2008 Archive

July - September 2008 Archive

April - June 2008 Archive

January - March 2008 Archive

October - December 2007 Archive

July - September 2007 Archive

April - June 2007 Archive

January - March 2007 Archive