../../../..//2009/02/23/i-think-i-figured-out/
I think I figured out why Sprint CEO is always walking around New York, looking in diners, and taking taxis. He’s looking for his lost customers. The black and white is because he’s sad.
advertising
Why Do These Commercials For Chantix Not Mention The Drug? At All?
By 2.17.09
Our sister publication Consumer Reports Health has posted a new video in their AdWatch series, which examines direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. This time they’re examining some “stealth” advertising for the quit-smoking drug Chantix.
FDA Forces Pharma Company To Admit That Its Birth Control Pill Isn't Miraculous
By 2.13.09
Bayer, the company that makes the popular birth control pill, Yaz, is being forced to run ads that “correct” some of the claims that it made in commercials touting the pill’s “proven” ability to rid women of acne and PMS. The company settled with the FDA, promising to spend $20 million on the corrections, warning women that they shouldn’t take Yaz hoping to cure their pimples and irritability.
Leaked Document Shows That Pepsi Logo Is Pinnacle Of Human Achievement
By 2.11.09
When Pepsi redesigned their logo, we all just figure that they wanted it to look more like Obama’s. Apparently not. A leaked document shows that actually… the entire history of civilization and the formation of the theory of relativity was just some stuff that lead up to the new Pepsi logo.
Verizon's Internal Conflict is Astounding, Hilarious
By 2.11.09
Verizon just can’t seem to get their act together and decide how much their DSL service costs. Last month, we reported on a man who couldn’t get Verizon to commit to a price.
Denny's Still Mad Busy After Free Breakfast Promo Ends
By 2.9.09
I went into a Denny’s Sunday and was shocked to see every single seat taken up by customers, from the booths to the counter to this annex room with tables. “Ever since they ran that free Grand Slam thing it’s been like this,” said hostess Krysal. “They’re bringing the business back.” Even after the free day was over last Tueday?
How A Sale Works At Target
By 2.9.09
Finally, an example of a business plan in which Phase 3 is definitely, “Profit!”
8 Banks Took $153.4 Billion In Tax Payer Money, Spent $845 Million On Naming Rights
By 2.6.09
Should bailout out banks be buying naming rights? Dennis Kucinich doesn’t think so, and last week he urged the Treasury department to cancel one such deal between Citibank and the New York Mets. Now Bloomberg says that seven more bailed out banks are spending money on stadium rights.
Really Creepy Ads Killed The Electric Car
By 2.4.09
I watched the Who Killed The Electric Car documentary last night and was thunderstruck by the “ad” that GM made when California made them make electric cars against their will. If you want to sell a car, you put a hot person in it and shoot them skidding at high speeds across desert plains. This was like trailer for a sequel to The Ring.
Should Citibank Pay $400 Million To Name A Stadium While Taking Taxpayer Money?
By 2.3.09
The New York Mets are getting a new stadium. It’ll be called Citi Field and that honor cost Citibank (and by extension, one could argue, taxpayers) $400 million.
Reminder: Consumerist Liveblogs Super Bowl
By 1.30.09
Don’t forget to tune into us during Superbowl Sunday, we’ll be liveblogging the ads, reframing the advertising orgy within The Consumerist prism. (Photo: CrzysChick)
Coke Finally Removes "Classic" From Its Label
By 1.30.09
In 1985, Coke added the word “classic” to its label when it brought back the original formula of the soft drink following the abject failure of its “New Coke” experiment. Now, finally, they are getting rid of it.
E*Trade Baby Buys Superbowl Ad
By 1.30.09
The E*Trade baby is back in this year’s Superbowl lineup. A series of ostensible outtakes are posted on YouTube. Highlight of the bunch: “I want to punch the economy in the face!” (baby cries).
Consumerist To LiveBlog SuperBowl Ads
By 1.27.09
I’ll be liveblogging the SuperBowl ads on The Consumerist this year, playing a virtual couch buddy for those whose who don’t have any friends or whose friends don’t make interesting enough commentary. It’ll be interesting to see what is traditionally the biggest blowout night for the most outrageous and expensive ads looks like during the Recession. Tune in to the game and Consumerist.com on Feb 1 for all the hot liveblog action, and pass the nachos.
Don't Worry, Chrysler Will Still Be Paying To Put Their Cars In Terminator Movies
By 1.23.09
Despite taxing $4 billion in emergency aid from the U.S. government, Chrysler’s product placement deals are not in danger. Phew.
Domino's Burns Subway's C&D On National TV
By 1.23.09
I’ll still never order a sandwich from either establishment except under duress, but I approve of how Domino’s handled Subway’s cease-and-desist letter over their new campaign claiming Domino’s oven-baked sandwiches beat Subway’s 2-1 in a taste test paid for by Domino’s: with flames.
Miller High Life To Show 1-Second Ads During Superbowl
By 1.21.09
Blink and you’ll miss it. Miller High Life has bought up 1-second slots advertising to air during the Superbowl. The spots feature a boisterous Miller High Life (MHL) truck-loader named Wendel shouting out phrases and doing silly things inside a MHL loading dock. “Happy can,” “Cham-pagne of beers,” “pigskin gravy,” “Frugal bugle,” are some of the things says in the preview spots posted on 1secondad.com.
Why We Lust For Products
By 1.16.09
Why do we get hot and heavy to acquire certain physical objects? Very Evolved has an explanation of product lust, in two parts: dopamine, and reinforcement.
