Product placement in movies and television has been a popular form of advertising for many years. Companies aim to convince the public to use a certain product, eat at a certain restaurant, or shop at a certain store by showing a familiar character doing so. Lately, retail clothing store Abercrombie and Fitch aimed to do the opposite by paying the cast of the reality show Jersey Shore NOT to wear its clothing. Will this deal help to repair Abercrombie’s image, or did the Jersey Shore cast even do any damage in the first place?
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Smart Phone Survey: Most Americans Satisfied with Cell PhonesEvery year, more and more Americans switch from basic cell phones to smart phones, which enable them to access the internet and email as well as a variety of third party apps. So how many Americans have already made the switch, and do they feel it was worth it? |
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Kim Kardashian Survey: Most Americans Not Excited About WeddingShortly after all the hype surrounding William and Kate’s royal wedding, American socialite and reality TV star Kim Kardashian announced that she too would be tying the knot with fiancé Kris Humphries. Paparazzi are already planning their attacks for the big day, but how many Americans are waiting anxiously to see coverage of the wedding? |
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Kate Plus 8 Survey: Americans Not Upset About CancellationKate Plus 8, formerly known as Jon and Kate Plus 8 before the title couple’s split, will not return for a ninth season according to TLC. The show chronicled the life of parents Jon and Kate Gosselin and their eight children. Throughout the show’s 150-episode run, it gained a large audience as well as a lot of criticism. |
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Netflix Survey: Subscribers Happy with Overall ExperienceNetflix, a subscription-based entertainment provider, delivers movies and television shows to millions of subscribers each day. Through on-demand streaming and DVD delivery, the California-based company has grown steadily since its launch in 1997. So what keeps drawing in new subscribers to Netflix? |
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MapQuest Survey: Americans Value Simple FeaturesOnline navigation sites such as MapQuest have been helping people find their way for years. Anyone can look up maps and directions in just a few seconds with ease. But as technology evolves, will people’s needs and wants change as well? |
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Dirty Dancing Survey: Many Fans Not Interested in RemakeLionsgate has announced plans to remake the classic 1987 film Dirty Dancing. Many fans of the original took to Twitter this week to express either their disgust or their excitement about the upcoming remake. The original film, which stars Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze, grossed over $214 million worldwide, won an Oscar, and left a lasting mark on popular culture. Can a remake possibly live up to the success of the original? |
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Unemployment Survey: Job Crisis Improving SlowlyThough it has been years since the recession began, there are still thousands of Americans who have to wait in lines at unemployment agencies every day. It is estimated that there are about five job seekers per one job vacancy. The unemployment rate has been decreasing slightly this year, but some argue that those changes merely reflect the number of people who have given up looking for work. So what does the American public think? |
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Financial Crisis Survey: Credit Downgrade Might Have Silver LiningThe current US financial crisis is causing worry and even panic for the American public. Stock prices are falling at one of the fastest rates in history, the country’s credit has been downgraded for the first time ever, and Americans are losing faith in their government leaders. |
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US Government Survey: Americans Losing Faith in GovernmentHave Americans lost faith in their government? A recent Ask Your Target Market survey suggests they have. From federal to local officials, Americans have changed their outlook on government, and definitely not in a good way. |
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Virginia Tech Survey: Americans Want Stricter Gun ControlCampus officials at Virginia Tech issued a lockdown Thursday after some students reported seeing a man who appeared to be carrying a gun on campus. The gunman was never found, and no students were killed or injured in this incident, unlike the 2007 shooting incident at the same campus where 33 were left dead. |
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Illegal Immigration Survey: American Economy SufferingThe US Justice Department recently filed a lawsuit against Alabama to block a new law regarding illegal immigration. The law is set to go into effect next month, and is widely considered to be the toughest crackdown on illegal immigration in the country. Immigration reform has been a hot issue in Washington for years, but what does the public think? |
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Debt Ceiling Survey: Americans Not Surprised By DealPresident Obama has now signed a deal to raise the US debt ceiling just in time to avoid a default on current debt. Congress voted to pass the plan, which came after weeks of non-stop debate between Democrats and Republicans about taxes, spending cuts, and the US deficit. |
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Shark Week Survey: Some Americans Don’t Get the HypeThis week, millions of Americans will gather around their TVs to witness the Discovery Channel’s annual celebration of the ocean’s scariest creatures: Shark Week. |
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Nintendo 3DS Survey: Price Cut for Portable Gaming DeviceIn March, gamers were buzzing about the new Nintendo 3DS, a portable gaming device that displayed 3D graphics without the need for 3D glasses. Now, just a few months later, Nintendo has lowered the price of the 3DS by $80 after posting about weak sales of the device. |
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David Wu Survey: Political Sex Scandals Old NewsThis week, US Rep. David Wu (D) of Oregon resigned after facing allegations of an “unwanted sexual encounter” with the 18-year-old daughter of a friend and political fundraiser. Unfortunately, this type of story is hardly scarce news for many Americans. |
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Debt Ceiling Survey Results: Americans Split Along Party LinesThe president and US lawmakers are desperately trying to reach a deal to raise the US debt ceiling and avoid defaulting on current US debt. Largely split along party lines, leaders have failed to reach an agreement thus far, which has caused some anxiety among everyday Americans. |
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Amy Winehouse Survey Results: Star’s Death Fueled by PublicOn Saturday, fans learned about the death of musician Amy Winehouse. Though her early death seemed to take the social media world by storm, her addictions and self-destructive tendencies left very few people surprised that the star died at such a young age. |
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Borders Survey Results: Technology Played a Role in Bookstore’s DemiseLast week, Borders announced that it will liquidate and shut down its 399 stores. After filing for bankruptcy in February, the chain continued to lose money and failed to find a solution to stay in business. Technology has played a large part in the bookseller’s financial woes. Between online retailers and e-readers, it’s becoming more difficult for brick-and-mortar stores like Borders to match prices and keep their customers coming back. |
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Afghanistan Survey Results: Americans Angry Over Lost Tax DollarsA new report was released this week stating that a percentage of the money the US sends to Afghanistan is literally disappearing, possibly into the hands of insurgents, because of inconsistent Afghan cooperation, limited inter-agency communication, and insufficient funds and resources. |
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Foreclosure Survey: Housing Crisis Will Improve Slightly, Americans SayThis year, foreclosure filings hit a record low since the end of 2007, before the housing crisis really took off. This sounds like great news, but don’t be fooled. Banks are overloaded with repossessed homes, causing processing delays and skewed foreclosure numbers. Basically, banks are repossessing less homes not because the housing crisis is subsiding, but because they don’t have the time and resources to repossess fast enough. So since banks can’t produce a clear outlook on where America’s foreclosure crisis stands, Ask Your Target Market went right to its consumer panel to find out their thoughts. |
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Casey Anthony Daily Survey Results: Americans Not Ready to ForgiveWe hear it all the time: forgive and forget. We know it’s what we should do, but is it ever really that easy? Most people agree that forgiving others is difficult, especially in serious situations such as Casey Anthony’s acquittal in the murder trial of her daughter, Caylee. |
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Carmageddon Survey Results: Los Angeles Averts Traffic DisasterOver the past several weeks, Los Angeles residents have been quivering with fear over the prospect of “Carmageddon,” the 53-hour closing of the 405 Freeway, a main travel hub for the city. Images of gridlock, dangerous driving conditions, and widespread panic flashed through the minds of city officials and residents alike, many of whom ended up heeding the warnings to stay home rather than brave the roads in an attempt to find a Carmageddon detour. |
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US Debt Crisis Survey Results: Many Americans Suffering AnxietyThe US Debt has been a growing concern for many Americans. In fact, after a brand new survey, Ask Your Target Market reports that over 50% of Americans feel the US debt is the most serious issue we face as a nation today. |
