Newspaper Teaser Campaign Promotes Movie

Adrants reader Steve Portigal points to a print teaser campaign consisting of small space ads, placed in the front section of newspapers, that speak obliquely about the arrival of someone called Charlie. Portigal surmises it's a campaign leading up to the January 28 release of the John Polson Film Hide And Seek which features an imaginary friend, Charlie.

eBay Ad Sells Forehead Ad Blocker

Finally reaching the level of idiotic insanity, forehead advertising and stupid eBay ads have come together. This eBay ad promotes a device, called The Forehead Ad Blocker which is nothing more than a retrofitted pair of completely out of style eye glasses, that is said to have the ability to block forehead ads. Oh sure it's a joke but maybe Saatchi & Saatchi CEO Mary Baglivo is right afterall.

UPDATE: Even more.

Google Takes Advertisers to Grammar Class

To see how the English language has devolved into something that sounds like a cross between a retard and a rap artist, one only need read the forum rantings of Ashlee Simpson fans, hopelessly in support of her failing career. Thankfully, Google, who seems to be blessed with the ability to do everything right, has come to the rescue. Google's AdWords group uses a style guide and insists on proper use of the English language in its text-based ads. Of course, proper grammar has never been advertising's strong suit and, often times, grammatical license is taken. But Google doesn't want its search product, of which ads are an integral part, to be misunderstood by people looking for information. There's a line between well-formed grammatical license and plain stupidity. Google is drawing it.

Regis to Give Away Pontiac Minivans

Following it's Oprah car give away, GM will, beginning February 1, give away 20 2005 Pontiac Montana SV6 minivans on Walt Disney Co,'s Beuena Vista syndicated show Live With Regis and Kelly. Late last year GM partnered with Oprah to give away 276 Pontiac G6's to every member of her studio audience in a scream-fest rivaling that of 1970's game show contestants winning "a neeeew toaster oven!" as if that was something to get excited about.

Red Sox Manager Signs With Metamucil

Writing on his weblog, A Fine Kettle of Fish, Bob Cargill gives us a humorous take on World Champion Red Sox Manager Terry Francona recent advertising spokesman deal with laxative maker Metamucil. Cargill also ranked the many post-game congratulatory ads and named Metamucil's, which had the tagline, "Way to go! Congratulations Boston on your World Championship.

Let's hope it becomes a regular thing," the best.

Baby's Parents Turn Down Lucrative Advertising Deals

As if China needs to get any bigger, its 1.3 billionth citizen recently entered the world and has been showered with advertising spokesbaby offers. In a uniquely smart and very un-American move, the baby's father, Zhang Tong has turned down all offers except one which provides insurance to his child saying, "It's lucky to be China's 1.3 billionth citizen. But it's unnecessary to act as an image representative for so many products, since Zhang Yichi is too young and too many commercial activities will have negative impact on the boy's healthy growth."

TiVo Co-Founder Steps Down As CEO

TiVo CEO and Co-Founder Mike Ramsay, 55, has announced he will step down as CEO, a position he held for eight years, after a successor is in place. TiVo has been under the gun from cable and satellite operators who have been building their own, non-TiVo technology into set top boxes. On a brighter note, TiVo recently launched TiVoToGo, a product that enables TiVo users to transfer recorded programming to their computers and portable media players. Ramsay says his move has been in the works for some time and is not in reaction to any particular event.