That handsome fellow at left is So-Hi, mascot of the now-discontinued Post breakfast cereal, Sugar Coated Rice Krinkles. The same product had another, strangely beautiful name: Sugar Sparkled Rice Krinkles. [More]
Delicious Ice Cream Gollum Creature Eats Itself, Creeps Us Out
By August 6, 2012
Here’s a marketing hypothetical that no one has ever posed before: does cannibalism sell ice cream? Philadelphia ice cream parlor mini-chain Little Baby’s Ice Cream has released two ads featuring an odd creature seemingly made of ice crea, which finds itself so irresistible that it shovels giant spoonfuls of the top of its own head into its mouth, and licks an ice cream cone in which a smaller version of itself sits. The spots are trippy, gross, strange, and…. really make me want some ice cream. [More]
Roller Skating Is Definitely Better Than Using Crack
By April 30, 2012
More than three years ago, comedy duo and self-proclaimed “internetainers” Rhett & Link set out to find great local businesses all over the country, and make great local commercials for them. “That’s nice, Consumerist,” you say. “But they can’t possibly still be doing this three years later and producing new ads.” That’s where you would be wrong, imaginary hypothetical reader! [More]
Will Ferrell Asks If He Can Star In Ads For Old Milwaukee Beer Free Of Charge
By December 14, 2011
If Will Ferrell asks you if he can make ads for your oft-reviled product for free, the answer is always going to be yes. And that’s what Pabst Brewing Co. said when he presented the idea to do local TV ads in Davenport, Iowa for Old Milwaukee beer. [More]
Badvertising Hall Of Fame Store Moo & Oink May Have To Liquidate
By August 10, 2011
Even if you’ve never lived near Chicago, longtime readers of Consumerist may remember Windy City grocery store Moo & Oink for its so-bad-it’s-friggin-awesome TV ad that launched our Great Moments In Commercial History series. But now comes sad news that the dancing cow and pig might be headed to the liquidation slaughterhouse if Moo & Oink doesn’t find a buyer. [More]
Need Cheap Wheels? Rent A Rolling Ad From Budget In Atlanta
By August 1, 2011
If you want cheap car rentals this summer, Budget Rent a Car in Atlanta might have a deal for you. That is, as long as you don’t mind driving a rented car that seems more like a rolling billboard. [More]
Today In Commercial Oddities, Rob Zombie Directs Terrifying Woolite Ad
By June 20, 2011
Remember that time you couldn’t fall asleep because you were afraid of the big bad monster coming to tear your guts out in some creepy, tumbleweed-blown field, all because you’d just watched a Rob Zombie-directed Woolite commercial? Yes, that’s right. He directed an ad spot for Woolite. [More]
UK Ad Predicts Feline Evolution, Rise To Power
By March 8, 2011
Fans know that The Consumerist is the place to go for consumer advocacy, money-saving tips, and news about the oddities of global capitalism. But we also work hard to prepare our readers for the coming rise to power of our feline overlords. This UK milk commercial combines slightly off CGI with a warning about what we’re in for when cats finally evolve opposable thumbs. [More]
Celebrate The Imminent Return Of Jesus With 50% Off All Jewelry
By December 1, 2010
When the End Times come, all world economies will collapse, leaving the unlucky survivors to barter for their survival. Precious metals and gems will be very popular. That’s probably why this jewelry store in the Midwest took out local TV ads promoting their “Second Coming Sale” with 50% off all merchandise. It’s not even close to Easter yet!
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The Snuggie Macarena Dance Haunts My Dreams
By August 22, 2010
Just because you can write a song about Snuggies and set it to the tune of “Macarena,” that doesn’t mean that you should. Yet the evil geniuses behind the Snuggie have done so, and inflicted it on the Internet. And the airwaves. [More]
Old Spice's Brilliant Marketing Your Product Could Market Like
By July 14, 2010
We at Consumerist mostly focus on when companies screw up, with some exceptions. We must give credit for brilliant marketing strategies when it is due, though, and yesterday’s personalized YouTube video blitz by Old Spice’s towel-wrapped spokesman, Isaiah “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” Mustafa, qualifies as brilliant. [More]
Great Moments In Commercial History: Cullman Liquidation
By May 1, 2010
This commercial, for Cullman Liquidation, is Oscar-winning documentary director Errol Morris’ favorite commercial. [More]
This Is How You Debate Health Care Reform, Brooklyn Style!
By March 21, 2010
“The Republican Party is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the insurance industry.” So said Rep. Anthony Weiner of Brooklyn last month in front of Congress. As we move towards a historic vote on health care reform, let’s take a moment to throw some gas on the fire and revisit some of the awesomely incendiary rhetoric of this statesman on revamping our health care system. Now this a healthy health care debate! [More]
Bundle Up With The Hoodie Footie Snuggle Suit!
By February 10, 2010
You can’t get me, Mr. Blizzard! I’ve got my new Hoodie Footie Snuggle Suit. It’s a voltron of my most comfortable items: my favorite slippers, warmest hoodie and coziest blanket into one giant cushy blanket suit. And it’s got thumb holes! Here’s the ad: [More]
Snoozing TSA Worker Put On Desk Duty
By January 28, 2010
The zzz-catching TSA guard we posted a picture of on Monday has been put on desk duty pending the results of an internal investigation, after someone forwarded the picture to the TSA. “We recognize that our officers have very demanding jobs that require constant vigilance and hours on their feet,” TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis told the NY Daily News. “But nonetheless, it was completely inappropriate for her to rest in a public area while on her break as opposed to a nearby break room.” [More]
Biz Owner Says FedEx Added 85 Pounds To Package Weight
By November 25, 2009
Ross has a small business that routinely ships 10-pound packages, but says he was horrified to find out that FedEx has charged his account with a 95-pound package shipment. [More]
Great Moments In Commercial History: Domino's Pasta Dude
By May 6, 2009
Back in early ’08, to promote their new line of pasta primavera items, Domino’s rolled out a screechy-voiced CGI rigatoni that raps about the joys of oven-baked pasta, reports SoGood. “Pasta Dude” some rhymes, then he busts out some dance moves that look like he’s bending over an imaginary dance partner and slapping them across the rear. This, apparently, was cause for controversy.
Great Moments In Commercial History: Frank Myers Auto
By February 20, 2009
