Module 3

As we come to an end of module 3: Media, Messages, and Positioning, we have learned an array of things when it comes to message strategies. I feel as though there were many key points in this module for us to remember and use in our own projects. One of the main thing that really appealed to me was the use of humor versus fear based messages. I believe humor messages appeal to more people, as people tend to like to be happy and find humor entertaining, while I believe fear based messages cause a bigger result, as people tend to have the mentality of "I don't want that to happen to me". At the same time, it really depends on the situation and what the message is, because at the same time people have the attitude of "that won't happen to me". So as public health professionals, we will be faced with having to create messages for specific target populations, so we'd really have to understand them so that we will know what type of message will really appeal and work with them.
Another topic we covered was tailoring our message. I really liked the table what was in the PowerPoint presentation that display at what level your target population is (ie: public with low educational level) and then the other side informs you on how to properly tailor your message for them. I really think that a guide like that would be helpful to guide those creating messages so that it helps to gear them in the right direction on what to do. When creating health messages, we need to really know our target population so that we can tailor the message to them properly. You wouldn't want to create a brochure informing Latinos about Sickle Cell Anemia, and then indicate that its a big problem for African Americans. A Latino would read the message and then ignore all the important facts about sickle cell anemia, because they will immediately state, well this won't affect me. Same with if you are targeting children, the message cannot be bland and boring because it will not appeal to them. So when creating messages, we really need to know how to properly tailor them so that they reach the right people.
Lastly, it was really interesting to learn about branding and especially associations. Its funny to think that we really tend to stick with brands and remember specific things. Branding really ties together with marketing the product. If you can market the product really well people will remember the brand, just like how people immediately thinks Disneyland when you think if an amusement park. Branding also really has to be done well to convey the message you want to bring across. Creating a strong identity is what makes people remember. Branding can be a complete success or it can fail, therefore creating a brand and bringing forth its identity so that people can remember and relate to it, is a challenge that public health campaigns need to work on. Campaigns such as Truth and Verb has been successful, but something I have realize with other public health campaigns is that a constant brand is non-existent. Truly something that needs to be improved in the future to really gain the public interest.

Overall, I've enjoyed listening to the other groups progress with their presentations and I think we are progressing ourselves as well. Maybe not as fast as some people would like, but its a process, and we will do fine at the end. We definitely are learning as we go, something that I bet happens with many research projects. Well hope everyone enjoys their spring break!!!