Globally, there are many international companies today, for example, McDonalds, KFC, SONY, Walt Disney, Google, Facebook, Apple and others. Those companies provide their service, products, ideas and conceivable things for people worlwide. This post will focus on SONY as an example of a Global Media Empire.
SONY is a Japanese multi-industry company and one of the leading companies of electric products worldwide. After the portable music player, WALKMAN was introduced by SONY in 1979, the style of listening to music and music culture were changed worldwide (Kasahara 2003: p.41). Music was being listened to by people at home or at concert halls before the WALKMAN was provided; however, people could enjoy music anytime, anywhere after the WALKMAN was introduced. This was a big change in music history and influenced many people worldwide.
In other words, SONY succeeded in globalising the world by one single media product. Today, the WALKMAN is not as popular as the iPod; however, the achievements mentioned above will never disappear.
Culture is always changing in human society; however, if culture would be changed by economic power, this could cause a negative effect in human society such as a gap between the rich and the poor. Therefore, people should be more considerate about the power of global media empire today.
Image source:
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2009/07/notable-and-crazy-sony-cassette-walkman-editions/
http://cambridgeforecast.wordpress.com/2010/11/
Reference:
Kasahara, T 2003, ‘Culture and the Walkman’, Kyoto Sosei University review, Vol.3, pp.41-46, retrieved 31 July2012, <http://ci.nii.ac.jp/els/110004677359.pdf?id=ART0007407260&type=pdf&lang=en&host=cinii&order_no=&ppv_type=0&lang_sw=&no=1343798233&cp=>
I think it’s great that one product can change the world and how people experience different things. The Walkman is a great example of how a product can change the way people listens to music and as you stated, the iPod has revolutionized the world again and has become such an icon of popular culture
ReplyDeleteYour post has given the viewers a detailed depth into a company and product that has almost had an impact on everyone. I once had a Walkman as well and the impact that it had on everyone will never change. I did enjoy using my Walkman before I swapped it for an apple product. Its great that you have started the introduction by listing all these companies, which have greatly contributed to globalisation and Sony, is indeed an example of a Global Media Empire. Your blog is very factual and has linked to globalisation very well however it would have been great if your had listed some references in your text to support your facts. Look forward to next week.
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