Book Promoted With Pet Killing Game

dead_pets.jpg

To promote a book, called Dead Pets, about pet cemataries, cruel animal death in movies, the stunt doubles that make that happen, pet afterlife and its religious implications and, yes, recipes for cooking pets, book publisher Canon Gate has launched a microsite, with ghoulish music, where you can play "whack a pet with a bat." We're sure it's all done humorously. We hope. It was created by Small Oranges.

Like young lovers finding out how much fun it is to kiss each other, book publishers can't seem to get enough of these kooky promotions for their books. But, with this execution, is the trend dead before it even began?

by Steve Hall    Aug-12-05   Click to Comment   
Topic: Online, Promotions   

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Comments



Comments

Ya know, I mostly read and don't comment. And AdRants has become my favorite newsletter. But boy I hate this "dead pets" think already. It will be even more fun when I start to get a zillion calls about it. Anyone know where I can actually see it?

Posted by: Kathy Bauch on August 12, 2005 1:03 PM

Sorry--previous post was my first and I already screwed it up. I work for The Humane Society of the United States, which explains my perspective.

Posted by: Kathy Bauch on August 12, 2005 1:04 PM

Kathy,

You right. I forgot to add the link. Sorry. I will do that.

Steve

Posted by: Steve Hall on August 12, 2005 2:10 PM

I really try to keep a sense of humor about things that may be in poor taste, but this seems to cross the line. I read about the book (http://www.canongate.net/Dead-Pets/Hardback) and while I won't be reading it, it does at least sound edgy and worthwhile. But the Web site described sounds like it is in very poor taste. Hitting a pet with a bat isn't funny and doesn't need to be treated as a lighthearted way to sell books.

On the up side, despite 15 minutes of concerted searching I've been unable to find the microsite, so perhaps the less said the better. With the apparent marketing acumen of smalloranges and Canongate, it would appear no one will see the site in any event.

Posted by: Augie on August 12, 2005 2:18 PM

can not wait to check out dead pets.
why? check out my site - why not eat your pet.
www.whynoeatyoupet.com

Posted by: gale hart on August 13, 2005 2:51 AM

Kathy, here's a recipe for you:

Stewed Dog (wedding style)

Posted by: Peter Verkooijen [TypeKey Profile Page] on August 21, 2005 11:58 AM