The folks at Taco Bell are letting it be known that they’re going to put up a very public fight over the recently filed lawsuit alleging that its ground beef doesn’t meet USDA standards for being advertised as ground beef. [More]
advertising
Mirror Mirror On The Wall… Brought To You By Geico & Coca-Cola
By 1.25.11
Because there is no such thing as a space safe from sponsorship, a new technology is allowing advertisers to put their marketing messages where your face is — or at least where your face should be reflected. [More]
Google And Mozilla Announce New "Do Not Track Me" Features
By 1.24.11
Google and Mozilla have posted that they’re adding new features to their browsers that will let users opt out of being tracked by third-party advertisers. The move comes a few weeks after the FTC issued a report recommending browser software developers to implement such a mechanism. [More]
Study: Putting Celebrities In TV Ads Only Makes Them Worse
By 1.14.11
Do you buy Activia because Jamie Lee Curtis says you should? Or a Sony TV because Peyton Manning is their pitchman? What about that stash of Extenze you keep in the bedside table — did you purchase that on the recommendation of Jimmy Johnson? A new study shows that the answer to all these questions is probably a big “no.” [More]
Could An NFL Lockout Force Networks To Run Even More Ads?
By 1.12.11
Now that the NFL’s postseason is in full swing (even though my beloved Eagles were so quickly eliminated), it’s time for many to start wondering if owners and players will be able to resolve their problems before the start of the next season. If not, the biggest losers could end up being the networks and, by extension, TV viewers — whether they watch football or not. [More]
Will I Or Won't I Get Wet?
By 1.7.11
This sign advertising $5 for five minutes of bubble fun is confusing. Not the part where your child is placed inside a giant rubber bubble and then allowed to run around on top of a pool of water. We’re cool with that. But at the top it says, “walk, jog, run, job and have lots of fun on the water… while completely dry!” At the bottom of the sign it says, “YOU MAY GET WET.” Well, which is it? [More]
Women Laugh Alone With Salad, But Chocolate Makes Us Sexy
By 1.5.11
Here’s what I’ve learned today from stock photos: I’ve never watched myself eating chocolate, but apparently I’m making a sexy face while I’m doing it. When I eat salad, I probably laugh, even if I’m alone. [More]
The Tush Turner Is Perhaps The Stupidest Infomercial Product Ever
By 12.29.10
You need no better sign that The Empire is on the wane then the “Tush Turner,” a swiveling seat cushion that makes it easier to get in and out of your car without all that “contorting.” Just sit your ass down and spin in and out. And maybe with the few extra seconds it gives you you’ll be able to escape the Visigoths hunting you down as fuel for their war machines. [More]
Welcome To Infomercial Hell
By 12.28.10
“Infomercial Hell” is a mashup of 90 different horrible infomercial moments into one 5-minute masterpiece. [More]
Boxing After Bedtime Is Not A Good Ad Choice For A Kiddie Game Site
By 12.23.10
What is an inappropriate ad on a site specifically designed for children? Tina was surprised to see this advertisement for the new FX series “Lights Out.” Not only does the ad contain the image of a blood-covered boxer, but the show it advertises is on at 10 PM – well after the target audience’s bedtime.
[More]
This Sanitary Napkin Is Up On Its Current Events
By 12.17.10
While the whole WikiLeaks thing has become and incredibly divisive topic in recent weeks, at least one company has found a way to use the hot-button issue to its advantage. [More]
Jos. A. Bank Advertises "Super Jew Day" Sale?
By 12.15.10
Even though Hanukkah is over, it sounds like the folks at Jos. A. Bank (much more easily pronounced as “Joseph A. Bank”) are having a sale that might be perfect for Jewish shoppers looking to save on menswear. [More]
Sunny Seat Is A Suction Cup Cat Seat That Sticks To Windows
By 12.15.10
The Sunny Seat is a cat seat that sticks to windows with suction cups so you can create a horizontal raised surface for your feline without even having to know how to use a power drill. [More]
State Farm Uses Mutilated Monkeys To Sell Insurance To College Kids
By 12.10.10
State Farm didn’t win too many people over with its Worst Ad In America-nominated spokesman, so now the company is trying a very different approach by courting college students with mutilated monkey keychains. [More]
"Quatro Zany" Is Like "Four Loko" But Really For Adults This Time. Honest.
By 12.8.10
UCB’s The Brig sticks a key in Four Loko’s can with this new parody ad for Quatro Zany, “The new alcoholic energy drink totally not targeted toward kids.” It’s got everything adults want, like vodka, sugar, espresso, Adderall, and pixie sticks. And for when you’re on-the go, a convenient no-drip baby nipple! [More]
Roadside Sign Spinning Outsourced To Pulchritudinous Robot
By 12.1.10
Rob noticed something uncanny about this sign spinner advertising for a local jewelry store. He was drawn in by her defined features and lifeless gaze, and the expert way in which she moved the sign in the exact same motion every time. Upon closer inspection, he realized that she was no ordinary sign spinner, but an android! [More]
This Used Car Ad Is Totally Tubular
By 12.1.10
Madison Ave, take some copywriting lessons from this radical used car ad: “Looking for a car with a sweet tape deck and a radio with five pre-sets? A car that needs new brakes and maybe some action under the hood?…Than this is the car for you! [sic]” [More]
Heineken Changes TV Ad; No Longer Thinks Of Women As 'Prey'
By 11.29.10
It looks like Heineken has had second thoughts about one of its currently running TV ads. After months of airing a commercial which describes a woman at a party as “prey,” the company has altered the voice-over on the ad to now refer to her as a “prize.” [More]
