return of the 40?

Pabst Brewing Company has started a new marketing campaign that is attempting to garner appeal of their 40 oz. malt liquor brand Colt .45 towards young, urban youth. The campaign includes graphic novel style advertising and decorative brown paper bags.
Read the full story on Adage.

There is no denying that with the rise of hip-hop in America that many aspects of cultural iconography have been appropriated by middle-class white youth. The 40 oz. has and continues an element of that in some ways. (Some of us may remember the St. Ides commercials aired in the early 90’s featuring prominent hip-hop artists of the time)

However, the 40 oz. has also been considered a product that contributes to perpetuation of keeping urban poor communities down. (lots of alcohol for a cheap price has never led to good results)

Pabst’s attempt at making the 40oz. hip is a bizarre response to the continued appropriation of urban, hip-hop culture. It’s also sort of amusing…I wonder if it still costs a $1.99?

Thoughts?

fashion and a few things

So, I am going back to Southern California for New Years. New York didn't really work out. People flaked, its too cold, etc. This trip was suppose to be dedicated to friends and family. NYC wasn't really giving me that suddenly. Anyways, I got some airline credit. So I will probably try again in a couple months. OR finally hit up Chicago. Haven't been there yet...

So this blog for the last week has been pretty light. I am working on a blog detailing the cultural impacts and differences of Eminem and Justin Timberlake. Await with suspense...

Other than that, spending time with the family down in Houston, T.X. Fly out to Cali in a couple days...

One thing I do find interesting every time I spend time away from home, is that I get a fill of television. Being a little hip jerk from Portland I feel like I got the pulse on alot of what is popular in american culture. Television usually lets me know that I am totally out of the loop sometimes.
Anyways, I was flipping through my Mom's Vogue(yes, I love Vogue...fuck you) and discovered an ad that looked strangely familar. Upon closer inspection it was the work of none other than Terry Richardson.
Some might find the cross between high-art/psuedo-porn/pulp photographer Terry Richardson with the commercialism of a Belevedere Vodka advertisement a bit strange....but I thought it was perfect.
Jurgen Teller worked for Marc Jacobs. Why not Richardson for Belevedere Vodka?
Plus, anyone who has been paying attention will know that Richardson has been photographing for the Paris-based fashion/art magazine Purple for sometime now.

A couple days later I am watching television with my sister and voila...a commercial featuring Terry and Vincent Gallo.

it was only a matter of time...



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