FuckedCompany knocked offline for two days due to headlines that sounded like Ford's advertising slogans. While FC is no stranger to
cease and
desist orders, Ford threatened
the web host directly, who ended up pulling the plug. Was Ford in the right, or did they overstep their bounds? Personally, it sounds a lot like suing a newspaper when a headline plays on your advertising.
posted by mathowie
on Aug 27, 2002 -
30 comments
Currently, consumer
personal debt is at an all time high, and at the same time we're being inundated with ads asking us to "
live richly" and pay for all those "
priceless" moments with credit. Credit card companies have maintained a steady stream of advertising that focuses on living in the now, and worrying about the consequences later. Without discounting personal responsibility, should credit card companies be left to advertise their message unfettered, or does anyone think they are
too good and perhaps somewhat responsible for the high consumer debt levels?
posted by mathowie
on Jun 20, 2001 -
51 comments
San Francisco Muni to consider naming stations after advertisers. If you've been in SF (or any major US city) recently, you've probably noticed the buses covered with ads inside and out, the two stadiums named after corporations (all US stadiums seem to be now), and subway platforms coated in billboards. Now, they're considering selling the names of each station off to the highest bidder. Is this going too far or should a city do anything to make a buck?
(I'm reminded of the book Generation X where the author jokes about rampant advertising, and how one day you'll ask your friend what time it is, and he'll simply say "Pepsi")
posted by mathowie
on Jan 23, 2001 -
40 comments
Sony's latest ad campaign has been pulled from the networks for being too edgy. It's certainly got an edge that I doubt children would understand, but they're still pretty funny (
part 2 and
part 3). Is this what happens when we have to protect everyone from anything remotely racy? Do you agree with the decision to pull them off the air?
posted by mathowie
on Dec 5, 2000 -
35 comments
Stupid new marketing word of the day: "Advertorial" (spotted on
this NY Times page).
Here's a screenshot - what exactly are they trying to say? Do their advertisements now contain editorial copy that should help shoppers make a more informed decision, or are they just trying to fool us into thinking these advertisements have more credibility because they are "editorialized"? (disclaimer: I hate marketing BS)
posted by mathowie
on May 31, 2000 -
14 comments
Amtrak is running one of the most bizarre promotions ever. Yesterday, I saw a bunch of billboards along the freeways saying "Do you have a face that can stop a train?" Below that was this URL:
winafacelift.com. How a train company and facelifts go together, I don't know. It's almost as if they want their slogan to be "when you're too ugly for plane travel, take a train."
posted by mathowie
on May 14, 2000 -
3 comments
Just when you think people can't get any stupider, they go and
believe something like this. If you thought the "
Christopher Reeve walking" ad was real, you need to turn off your TV and pick up a book. Oh, and please don't have any offspring either (just trying to help speed the process of evolution a bit :).
posted by mathowie
on Feb 3, 2000 -
1 comment
Ad Critic is going to be featuring all the superbowl ads right after the game. So I guess there's no need to tape it anymore, just check out the site afterwards...
posted by mathowie
on Jan 30, 2000 -
5 comments
Can someone please tell me why X10.com has such
warm and fuzzy 'family' style pages to describe their wireless camera, but
their ads look like they are promoting cameras for the sole purpose of catching beautiful women on screen? Are they promoting hidden cameras in bathrooms, changing stalls, and other privacy-robbing public places? Why the descrepency between their advertising and their site?
posted by mathowie
on Jan 4, 2000 -
3 comments
This is kind of funny... the new Cinnamon Altoids site looks so much like porn site...but it isn't. I have to admit, that's some strange marketing. I bet a lot of people don't enter the site for fear of the flesh.
posted by mathowie
on Oct 21, 1999 -
0 comments
I'd heard about these for a while now but it's good to see actual shots of them. Barbie and Hot Wheels branded PCs are on the way. This is another sign that computers are becoming ingrained into our daily lives, when I was a kid, all I remember wanting was a racecar-shaped bed.
posted by mathowie
on Aug 6, 1999 -
0 comments
Yahoo now has co-branding arrangements going on. I hate to see this trend continue, as I see it diluting the reputation of both companies. What's Pepto-Bismol got to do with teens having a fun summer? Anyone care to make the connection for me? What's next, Geritol sponsoring a site aimed at toddlers?
posted by mathowie
on Jul 15, 1999 -
0 comments
