 WEARING
AN ADVERTISEMENT?
Every
generation assumes itself to be the generation in the middle. But if you
ask me, our generation may be the unluckiest one, subjected to stupid
magazine shows and unnecessary conversations. We are so careless about
the future, and even about "now." We are the generation from which
nothing is really expected but to survive. In the middle of this chaos,
I admire people from my generation who do something that affects others,
in a good way of course.
One
university student, a person just like me and you, has created a project
that other university students are thanking him for. Maybe you've heard
about "ReklamGiy," which was started last year by Deniz Oktar from Koç
University. He came up with an ingenious idea, initially to earn some
spending money for himself. However, this became the basis for an
organization that is now a source of income for many other university
students as well.
The
organization is currently represented at 10 universities, although its
not well known at Bilkent. Some companies visit our campus to distribute
samples introducing their products, but no students are participating
yet.
How does
ReklamGiy work? Large companies send representatives to train students
and supervise their work. What do students do? They learn all about the
company's product and wear T-shirts advertising the brand. They go to
places on campus where there are a lot of people, and give out samples
and conduct surveys. For this, they earn money.
This has
advantages for students and companies alike. Instead of having a part-time
job outside school and working under difficult conditions, students earn
more money by wearing t-shirts to class. As for the companies,
they're able to have their products introduced to university students by
their friends, which in turn makes students more friendly toward the
product. In addition, they get immediate reports on how students react
to their products.
However,
we can look at this from another point of view. Sure, it's a good way
for students to earn money, but what about those who have to look at
people wearing advertising t-shirts everywhere they go on campus? Isn't
this an indication that we're becoming live billboards for the
capitalist world?
In fact,
advertisements are everywhere. Our brains interpret thousands of images
and advertisements a day. Every time I see something colored red and
white, I begin to feel thirsty and go to buy a coke. So, if you ask me,
it's a good thing for students to be able to earn money in an easy way,
since advertisements are everywhere anyway. But, wouldn't it be nicer to
wear t-shirts advertising a social campaign, rather than a commercial
brand?
Gülay Acar (COMD/III)
howtoreachgulay@yahoo.com
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