If you’d like to nominate a commercial for our weekly series “Great Moments In Commercial History” send us an email at tips [at] consumerist [dot] com. Be sure to put “Great Moments In Commercial History” in the subject. To see other commercials that have been featured in the series, click here.—MEGHANN MARCO
advertising
Don't Question The Existence Of God On Your Starbucks Cup Or Else
By 5.14.07
Starbucks is running a promotion whereby customers can submit their thoughts for inclusion on Starbucks cups, as part of an effort by Starbucks to “to promote open, respectful conversation among a wide variety of individuals,” according to their spokesperson.
Can't Advertise Milk As Weight-Loss Aid, FTC Says
By 5.14.07
In response to FTC pressure, milk makers say they will stop advertising that drinking milk leads to weight loss.
Why Is Crunch Gym Forcing Spiderman 3 "Marketing Experiences" On Their Spinning Classes?
By 5.4.07
Yesterday we followed up on reader’s bad experience at Crunch Gym by calling 2 of their locations, the corporate office and interviewing Angie, our reader.
AT&T DSL Downgrades Email, That You Pay For, To Include Ads
By 5.4.07
AT&T DSL subscribers who use their ISP email will now have the pleasure of seeing ads in their email service. That they pay for. Did we say that already?
Advertising Roundup
By 5.2.07
“”Bounty” extols the virtues of having a meal of a uniform color. As an aside, the customer puts salt in his beer. When we saw that, we knew they had done their research.That’s what our grandpa does to put head on his beer. He used to sell cattle.”
Advertising's Next Big Idea: Sign Spinners!
By 5.1.07
They spin the signs on their hands, around the back, under the legs, flip em’ over the head, and so forth. Everyone once in a while they stop the sign so its message can actually be read.
1951 Ad Claims: "Crisco Is Digestible!"
By 4.30.07 — Updated: 10.25.12
This is a very convincing advertisement from 1951 in which the fact that Crisco is “digestible” is highlighted as the most favorable characteristic of the product.
Verizon, Cingular, and Travelocity "Accidentally" Advertise On Adware
By 4.27.07
Earlier this year, AT&T’s Cingular division and Travelocity both pledged not to advertise anymore via adware–programs that slip onto PCs and inject ads into a user’s browser. Verizon took a stance against computer invaders when it became a sponsor of an antispyware initiative. Yet, in March, ads from all three companies were being distributed through adware.
Whoever Dies With The Most Logos, Wins
By 4.25.07
Logos are company’s magic emblems, iconic tokens claiming territory like wolf urine. Copyranter spotted the above exemplar:
Errol Morris' Miller High Life Commercials Are Awesome
By 4.25.07
We like these Miller High Life ads by Errol Morris.
British Airways Edits Virgin Atlantic Logo And CEO Out of Casino Royale
By 4.23.07
Sir Richard was seen briefly in the original film, passing through an airport security scanner, but can only be seen from behind in the new edit.
Fast Food Ads Vs Reality
By 4.20.07
We’ve posted on this topic before with Tengaport’s flickr pic of the Wendy’s Spicy whatever sammich vs reality. Since we liked that post so much we were delighted to see that someone had made a serious study of the topic. —MEGHANN MARCO
Suicide Food: Animals That Want To Be Eaten
By 4.19.07
Here’s a strange bit of marketing that has always bothered us: Animals that want to be eaten. Reminds us of something from a Douglas Adams book, only not as funny.
Drug Safety Bill Would Limit Direct To Consumer Advertising
By 4.18.07
Supporters of a new bill working its way through Congress say that limiting the amount of direct to consumer advertising in the first two years of a drug’s life would help insure that drugs are safe before patients are encouraged to seek prescriptions from their doctors.
What Is The "Bait and Switch" And When Is It Illegal?
By 4.11.07 — Updated: 5.2.17
[protected-iframe id="2023baf697453f549fdc372cb71a8c3d-40783744-40309798" info="http://digg.com/api/diggthis.php?u=http://digg.com/business_finance/What_Is_The_Bait_and_Switch_And_When_Is_It_Illegal " width="55" height="82" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"]We get a lot of people writing us about the “bait and switch.” Often the complaint is shady, but not really “bait and switch.”
