According to the Quiznos Operations Manual sitting on our desk, Quiznos instructs owners to mine earthquake, hurricane, tornado, and flood evacuations for publicity opportunities.
gawker
Sports Illustrated Refuses To Send Swimsuit Issue To Libraries
By 3.8.07
It should be up to the institution to decide whether or not they choose to make the issue available to patrons. The publisher should send the issues we’ve paid for. If we throw them in the trash, that’s our prerogative.
Who knew librarians were so down with the swimsuit issue? That’s very cool, somehow.
Rat Infested KFC Passed Health Inspection The Day Before
By 2.26.07
“It doesn’t look like the inspection that was done Thursday met our standards,” said Geoffrey Cowley, a health department spokesman. “I don’t want to prejudge that. We’re concerned and we’re going to carefully reevaluate that inspection.”
The so-called inspection was performed in response to complaints about rats in the restaurant, and yet the inspector couldn’t find any. How mysterious. —MEGHANN MARCO
Massive Pound-And-A-Half Rats Infest KFC/Taco Bell In The West Village
By 2.23.07
CBS 2 cameras caught dozens of them early Friday morning through the window of this closed KFC-Taco Bell in the West Village.
Consumerist's Second Job Interview With IDT Energy's Scammy Marketing Firm
By 2.16.07
The office was decidedly busier on our callback. [Editor’s note: this material was written prior to today.] One person was being interviewed while another waited next to us on the sofa. More at ease, we enjoyed our second look at the office. The waiting room walls were covered with pictures of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings. “Bigger. Better.” or something like that. The receptionist had a giant stack of papers on her desk and was busy on the phone as pop music blared in the background….
Consumerist's Job Interview With IDT Energy's Scammy Marketing Firm
By 2.15.07
115 West 30th Street is the unassuming address for an unmemorable building that serves as the headquarters of Midtown Promotions, a “marketing solutions” company that solves markets for IDT. We interviewed with them as part of Consumerist’s continuing efforts to expose IDT’s deceptive practices.
More Footage Of Scuzzy Optician Attacking Reporter
By 2.15.07
The power of submitting complaints to investigative reporters. Sometimes the journalist will gadfly the offender into making a complete ass of himself on international television. — BEN POPKEN
Maxim Film Critic Changes Quote for CBS and Miramax
By 2.12.07
Non-whore Arizona Daily Star film critic and friend of the blog, Phil Villarreal, points us to a Variety article exposing Maxim film critic Pete Hammond for allowing CBS to alter the content of his blurb for the Miramax film Hannibal in the name of “family” entertainment. From Philmguy:
Maxim’s Pete Hammond embarrassed himself and all other film critics by playing along with the Weinstein Company’s finagling over a TV commercial quote blurb. According to a story in the Daily Variety, the studio planned on using Hammond’s quote “the most terrifying thriller of the new year.”
Fresh Direct Fails
By 2.9.07
Over at the Brooklyn Record they’ve posted a photo of their latest order from Fresh Direct, a grocery delivery company that serves New York City. For the rest of you, it’s sort of like Peapod, only they deliver everything in huge boxes, which is annoying.
Man Gets Free Domino's By Saying He's A Journalist
By 2.6.07
We’ve got confirmation that you can call this number, say you’re a journalist, and get free Domino’s pizza.
Domino's Bribes Journalists With Free Pizza?
By 1.31.07
We were yawning through Domino’s press release about its lame viral video campaign, when we nearly choked upon this gem:
Did Microsoft's Vista Circus Promo Break NYC Law?
By 1.30.07
Yesterday’s fanciful Windows Vista promotion featured thirteen unitard clad abseilers racing down the Terminal Building, waving gaily colored flags to form the Vista logo. It may also have been completely illegal according to NYC Admin Code.
ConEd Customer's Personal Info Highly Vulnerable To Online Theft
By 1.30.07
ConEd customer’s personal information is in grave danger. ConEd’s online account system is easily crackable, only requiring entering an account number.
Microsoft's Vista Circus: Was David Blaine Busy?
By 1.29.07
Gothamist has evidence of some “off the wall” advertising by Microsoft. In celebration of the imminent Vista launch, they set up a special billboard in Manhattan…then circus performers encased in colorful scuba diving suits repelled down the surface, hailed cabs and left. Yes, really. It kind of reminds us of that dance cycle guy from the Big Lebowski. Not sure if that was their intention.—MEGHANN MARCO
Unboxed: Sony PSP Flog Lucky Golden Shit Awards
By 1.19.07
The lucky golden shit awards for the best flog of 2006 have arrived!
Joining Crunch Gym Is Like Joining The Mafia
By 1.17.07
As Michael Corleone once said, “Just when I thought that I was out they pull me back in.”
