In recent years, the Dept. of Transportation has been cracking down on airlines, especially discount carriers, for advertising airfares that don’t actually represent what consumers will end up paying. With the latest round of rule changes having just kicked in, low-budget airline Spirit is fighting back, telling its customers that this is all about the government trying to hide higher taxes in airfares. [More]
advertising
I Don't Want Ads In My Online Bank Statement!
By 1.20.12
Dave normally likes his bank, PNC, but they recently made a change that annoys him. There are little ad snippets underneath some of the transactions on his online statement. Do we really need more ads in our daily lives? “I get enough advertising smashed into my skull on a daily basis; I don’t need it from my bank,” writes Dave. That’s true. But at least these ads aren’t hard to banish. [More]
This 'Got Milk?' Ad's Message: Almond Milk Will Traumatize Your Children
By 1.19.12
There are a lot of non-dairy milks out there: soy, rice, almond. While the National Milk Processor Board’s “got milk?” ads have never been factually accurate reflections of reality, their latest ad is more ridiculous than usual, implying that shaking almond milk is an arduous task, requiring about as much shaking as a can of paint. [More]
Wegmans Flip-Flops, Brings Back Alec Baldwin Ads
By 1.4.12
Much like — and to some people, more important than — Verizon Wireless’ quick flip-flop on its plan to introduce a $2 convenience fee, NY-based grocery chain Wegmans has heard the voices of the people and decided that most of you don’t hate Alec Baldwin and want to see him in cute, low-budget ads for the supermarket his mom loves so much. [More]
Wegmans Pulls Alec Baldwin Ads Over His Airplane Antics
By 1.4.12
UPDATE: Well look at that… Wegmans has completely changed its mind after realizing that the internet likes Alec Baldwin. [More]
Lawsuit Over Facebook "Sponsored" Updates Allowed To Proceed
By 12.19.11
It’s been almost a year since Facebook began taking your “like” list and turning it into advertising via so-called “sponsored stories,” and on Friday, a U.S. District Court judge in California rejected the social networking site’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit that claims Facebook unjustly enriched itself with these ads by violating a California law pertaining to commercial endorsements. [More]
FDA Issues Warnings About Misleading Lap-Band Ads
By 12.13.11
The FDA has issued warning letters to eight surgical centers in California and a marketing firm behind the 1-800-GET-THIN number for misleading advertising of the Lap-Band, an implanted device intended to promote weight loss in severely obese individuals. [More]
Here's A Way To Block Ads On The New Xbox Dashboard
By 12.9.11
Earlier this week, Microsoft rolled out its rootin’-tootin’ motion-sensin’ new dashboard interface for the Xbox 360. And along with the host of new features came a most unwanted companion — ads. Luckily, for those willing to tinker a bit, there may be a way to stop Chuck Norris from showing up on your Xbox dashboard. [More]
Best Buy Picks The Perfect Place To Tell Customers It Doesn't Suck As Much As GameStop
By 12.1.11
If you’re going to pick a location to try to turn people away from a GameStop store, it would be right outside that store’s front door. Or maybe the big empty wall directly next to it. [More]
Vodka Company To Take Down Billboard After Complaints Of Anti-Semitism
By 11.23.11
Yesterday, we brought you the story of the Wodka (a brand of Vodka and not a typo) billboard that advertised “Christmas Quality” at “Hanukkah Pricing,” which more than a few folks took as playing up the stereotype that Jewish people as cheap. After initially attempting to defend the ad by claiming that the idea was to say Hanukkah’s eight nights of festivities are a better bargain than the one day of Christmas, the makers of Wodka announced last night that they will be taking the billboard down. [More]
Vodka Company Rationalizes How This Billboard Does Not Reinforce An Ugly Stereotype
By 11.22.11
Hovering above the Upper West side of Manhattan is a new billboard for a Wodka, a brand of Vodka that apparently contains “Christmas Quality” for “Hanukkah Pricing.” And while some people are none too thrilled, claiming that the ad reinforces a stereotype of Jewish people as being cheap, the people behind the billboard say it’s actually all about what a great value the festival of lights is. [More]
Can We Spoil Best Buy's Super Bowl Surprise Again This Year?
By 11.9.11
Last year, some suit at Best Buy tried to tantalize shoppers by saying that the company’s super-secret Super Bowl ad would revolutionize retailing. And with the help of some savvy Consumerist readers, we not only spoiled their surprise by revealing the details of its Buy Back program weeks ahead of time, we also rained on their parade by showing you could actually lose money on the deal. Now Best Buy is set to launch something new at the next Super Bowl and being equally cagey about the details. [More]
What's Worse Than Missing A Cool Text? How About Involuntary Manslaughter?
By 11.2.11
Pull over if you’re driving and need to respond to or send a text message. Otherwise, that witty reply can wait. Because death won’t. [More]
Burger King Billboard Gets Diabetes Graffiti
By 10.21.11
Someone has graffitied this Burger King billboard in downtown Seattle to transform it into criticism about how sugary fast food contributes to diabetes and the obesity crisis. [More]
Is In-Flight Advertising Getting Out Of Control?
By 10.19.11
Depending on the airline you choose, everything from the exterior of your jet to the overhead compartments to your tray table and the back of your seat to your airplane safety video can be sponsored by an advertiser. And considering the amount of revenue being generated by these ads, they probably aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. [More]
Home Depot Salt Pellet Deal Shrivels Under Scrutiny
By 10.19.11
Whether it’s a signage error or a stacking error, this pile of salt pellets is not what it seems at first blush. [More]
Poop, There It Is! Luvs' Scatological Showdown Voted Worst Ad In America For 2011
By 10.17.11
For the second year in a row, we asked you, the readers of Consumerist to nominate and vote on the worst ads airing on American TVs. And after more than 115,000 votes, you have made it quite clear which commercial deserves the dishonor of being labeled the Absolute Worst Ad In America — Luvs Diapers’ “Poop, There It Is!” [More]
More Schools Slapping Ads On Every Possible Surface To Cover Budget Shortfalls
By 10.17.11
As regulators in Washington make efforts to limit how companies market their products directly to the youth of America, public schools struggling for cash have opened the floodgates to advertisers. [More]
