Advertising as Persuasion

Chapter 10 Questions:

In chapter 10 it says, "Advertising is symbiotic. It plays on our cultural icons, heroes and events (both good and bad). Michael Jordan/Air Jordan shoes, Tiger Woods/Nike, or Britney Spears/ Pepsi are very strong associations." I agree with this statement, I believe that advertising is symbiotic. I know that if Nike didn't have Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan to represent there brand Nike wouldn't have the big name in sports. Although with some endorsements deals many stars such as Britney Spears can also bring a bad image to there name. I believe there are many ways that endorsing stars and such can be good and bad. Advertising is symbiotic, do you believe this? Do you think that advertising can do without it's endorsement deals with it's stars?Would Nike not be a big named sports brand with out it's Micheal Jordan and Tiger Woods?and why?

Children:
"Children watch an average of five hours of TV a day, and the majority of children are exposed to over 40,000 commercials per year. There are more ads per hour in programs for children then there are for adult or general audience programming...3% are for healthy foods compared to 22% for cereals and breakfast food, 18% for snacks and drinks..." pg.302
I believe that children are exposed to a lot of advertising. Not only on TV, but also in the stores,malls, and magazines. Kids these days are smart and are very curious with many things. I have noticed with my nieces and nephews whenever we watch TV and commercials come on they are well aware of what is happening. Because the next thing I hear is, "can we go to McDonald's?" "Can I get that toy for my birthday/Christmas?" Advertising is influential and most of them don't even know what is feeding them. It's incredible to think that even food commercials can persuade children to persuade their parents to buy these things for them. I think if I was a parent I would not allow my children to watch 5 hours of TV a day because I believe that kids are easily influenced and I wouldn't want that to happen to mine. What would you do if you had children? Do you think that 5 hours of TV a day is a lot? Do you think children are more exposed to more then TV commercials? Like magazines, stores (food/candy isle), and malls? Is advertising good for children? Let me know what you think?