After three and half years of works, my thesis is finally completed, it owes its existence to help, support and inspiration of many people who not only have made it possible but also have made it a memorable experience for me.
In the first place, I would like to thank my supervisors Dr.David Waller and Dr. Graham Massey. I am not sure whether I have enough word to express my gratitude for their continues support and excellent encourangement durign three and half years of work on this thesis. I owe them much gratitude for showing me this way of research and I cannot express how much I have learned from them. My special thanks go to Dr Paul Wang for helping me solve one of the mysteries in my data analysis.
Secondly, I would like to the Indonesian Community Networks in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as Sigma Research in Jakarta for their assistance during the data collection processes, and also to all mothers who gave me their invaluable time to participate in this research.
Thirdly, I would like to than the members of UTS Faculty of Business and School of Marketing Research Committees for their support : Professor Ian Palmer, Professor Jordan Louviere, Professor Louise Young, Associate Professor Siggi Gudergan, Dr Anurag Hirongani, Dr Kate Owens and Dr Ian Lings.
I would like to express my gratitude to AusAID for funding my study and also to the Sponsored Student Office at the University of Technology Sydney, especially to Kaye Osborn, Stephen Haddad, Susanne Clark, Raquel Docdoc and Aki Plume for their ongoing assistance. The AusAID scholarship is a very prestigious scholarship and I am grateful to have been awarded it, and, more importantly, that it has made my long standing determination to get my PhD become close to reality by the time I am writing this acknowledgment.
Also, I would like to thank the Management of the Faculty of Economics, Trisakti University Indonesia, for granting me study leave and also for all their support along the way. In particular I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Dr Farida Jasfar, ME - Dean of the Faculty of Economics,Dr. Farah Margaretha - Head of School of Management, and Dr. Sri Susilowati - the International Class Program Director. Also my sincere thanks to my collegue at the International Program Edith Cowan University - Kaye Harrold - who has opened up many windows of opportunity during my stay in Australia.
My further acknowledgment of a debt goes to the Management of La Trobe University Program in Sydney and the Management of Central Queensland University at Sydney International Campus for employing me during my study - it was really a rewarding experience, both professionally and personally.
Also I would like to thank Dr. Ron Witton for his assistance in back-translating the research instruments and to Dr Guenter Plum for his excellent assistance in the editing process of the thesis.
Special thanks goes to : Umi Purwandari, Aila Khan, Luki Pratomo and Nunik Satriyo for always being a loyal shoulder to cry on and for their constant reminder : to keep going when I was at the lowest point of my emotional ride.
To a long list of family friends who are too many to mention individually - thanks for the friendships. It was them who have made Sydney felt like home, and I am sure when I look back they would be seen a lot.
A penultimate thanks goes to my wonderful family : my parent who formed part of my vision and taught me the value of hardwork by their own example. Also to my sister, brother, nepheww, nieces and my in laws, for always being there when I needed them the most, they deserve far more credit than I can ever give them.
My final and most heartfelt acknowledgment, must go to my beloved husband : Vidi Vinandar, his patience was tested to the utmost during the course of the process and I am especially blessed to have a husband who chose to put his dream on hold, so I have had the opportunity to pursue mine. It was his encouragement and believes in me that ultimately carried me through this process, without his support and understanding, I would never been able to complete my present works. Also to my wonderful daugther Khansanisa Nadia Vinandar for a great support in her unique ways and for her understanding especially when she needed my company the most. And most importantly, it was her who inspired the initial idea of this thesis through a love letter she wrote to me almost 7 years ago and all the words in the letter were nothing else other than a copy of TV advert script - that was the moment I started to realise the powerful effect of advertisement to children, which eventually led me into this thesis.
For too many people to mention individually who have assisted in so many ways during my works, although their names are not appear on the list above, it doesn't underminde their contribution to my works, I really appreciate them for everything. Thank You.
Sydney - February 2007
I dedicated this thesis to my loving parent
Without their knowledge, wisdom and guidance, I would have not the goals I have to strive and be the best to reach my dreams.