1. Key Characteristics of Popular Culture
Mrs B

2. Four distinguishing characteristics
Commercial Products
Local – National – Global
Access
Changing and Evolving

3. Commercial Products
Generation of money is critical to the ongoing success of any Popular Culture
Increasing the variety of products sold is also key
Paraphernalia is the odds and ends that are often sold in association with a Popular Culture – badges, chocolate bars or the ultimate – the Pez dispenser.

4. Local – national - global
The is the least rigid of the characteristics, especially in modern times, where the internet can catapult genre’s, films, toys into global acceptance almost instantaneously.
Generally though most artists/toys etc move through these phases.

5. Access
Consumers need to be able to interact with the popular culture – touch it, use it whenever they want.
The greater avenues of access the more likely the public is to adopt and connect with the Popular Culture

6. Changing and Evolving
To maintain interest and maintain $$$$ the popular culture must change and adapt over time.
This can be to reflect social shifts, to appeal to a wider audience, or to generate new publicity

7. Task
For two examples of popular culture describe the key characteristics giving specific examples

8. ICONS activity
Using the icon that you have been given describe its key distinguishing characteristics