In this week’s lectorial, Brian discussed one of the most critical elements of media: audiences.

This lecture brought back fond memories of Year 12 Media and the study of Audience Theories. I maddened myself trying to memorise each theory before the SAC, what it was, who established it, whether the communication was linear or non-linear, whether the audience was active or passive.

The point of discussion that struck me the most was when Brian posed the question: who cares about audiences?

Me. I do. I have to.

I want to pursue a career in Public Relations and Marketing, and a huge aspect of a job like that is understanding what consumers want, and rallying that information back to companies so that they can provide their audiences with what they desire, thereby making money and contributing to economic growth. I want to be a part of that cycle.

So Brian really had me here, and his lecture got me thinking about what I want as an audience member. How do advertisers communicate with me and how to I respond to this?

From the spam emails in my inbox, to the endless flyers and catalogues strewn in the streets, all the way to the Sham-Wow ads on TV, I am constantly an audience member as much as I am a media-maker.

And with that label comes a more profound understanding of how I will communicate with my target audiences.