3 Contemporary Icons

I would like to discuss my choices for three contemporary icons. Those icons are American Idol, Dancing with the stars and the Geico Gecko. American Idol is a superstar hopeful show where millions attempt their skills at becoming the next singing superstar. They travel through round after round stretching their abilities and moving on or failing and being sent home. If they make it far enough they perform and America votes on their favorite. Dancing with the Stars is similiar in its set up and competition but it is based on dancing ability not singing. A celebrity is paired with a professional dancer and they practice and perform for the judges. Ultimately America chooses their favorite for this show as well. The Geico Gecko is adorable. He started small but now he is everywhere. You cant think of Geico insurance without thinking of the Gecko too. He is the icon spokesman for Geico insurance.
I chose these three for similiar but different reasons. The similiar reason being that they have all three taken America by storm. The are widely known by young, old, wealthy and poor. Although everyone is not into watching the shows or having that particular insurance, if you mention them they will have heard of them and know something about them. They are what is "In" today.
These icons mean a variety of things to me personally. American Idol means hope for me. The hope that someone undiscovered just wasting away singing in the shower has a real shot at that one in a million chance. It may sound a little corny but it makes me think that things are possible no matter how unattainable they seem. Dancing with the Stars means that an old dog can learn new tricks. It takes people out of their celebrity element and puts them into a whole other world. Some do not change and do not adapt, but most will come out of it looking like professional dancers. The Geico Gecko to me is just brilliant marketing. He is an icon that has captured American interest. Most find him funny and cute and really draw attention to their company. Being a marketing major to me it is genius and a little bit of luck. He really plays up to the current economic standing too. He speaks of low price insurance and all the benefits that you can still have even on a budget. In todays economy that is very important and I think one of the things that has made him grow in popularity.