Nodding to the adage that no advertising is bad advertising, the Dixie Chicks are riding a torrent of criticism to promote their documentary "Shut Up and Sing." The campaign includes a Technorati-fed Myspace page created by Deep Focus claiming to be "the largest discussion of free speech the web has ever seen," which is funny because the comments are screened.
Deep Focus CEO Ian Schafer explains that all political views are represented on the site but "jibberish" or threats of violence get filtered out. That's logical. It's not like anybody is interested in hearing fringey deviant opinions anyway. - Contributed by Angela Natividad
 An anonymous tipster takes issue with the Drudge reports fascination with covering other media outlets banning of various ads and other content while, at the same time, banning the ad for the upcoming film, http://drudgereport.com/flash4.htm), but when it comes to its own censorship, The Drudge Report is no different from CNN.com, Fox News, or The History Channel, all of which banned ads for Newmarket's fim Death of a President which hits theatres today. A film which in no way advocates the assassination of the sitting president, Death of a President is a "what-if" political thriller that should be accessible to any free-thinking American interested in viewing the film. If you believe in freedom of expression, go see this film today and tell the Drudge Report to stop the hypocrisy, and stand up against censorship!">Death of a President, writing, "It seems as though The Drudge Report has no problem reporting on ads which other outlets ban (http://drudgereport.com/flash4.htm), but when it comes to its own censorship, The Drudge Report is no different from CNN.com, Fox News, or The History Channel, all of which banned ads for Newmarket's fim Death of a President which hits theatres today. A film which in no way advocates the assassination of the sitting president, Death of a President is a "what-if" political thriller that should be accessible to any free-thinking American interested in viewing the film. If you believe in freedom of expression, go see this film today and tell the Drudge Report to stop the hypocrisy, and stand up against censorship!" Anyway
McDonald's needs a lot of love now that Fast Food Nation is out, so we'd like to think customers who bother to write a song about them and then sing it to their droney drive-thru guy would get a better reaction. All the clerk says in response is "Um, I missed everything, just ... all I got was the M&M McFlurry part. $2.26 at the first window."
Come on. In the words of Heather from another controversial movie, did you have a brain tumor for breakfast?!! - Contributed by Angela Natividad
This Quixtar ad was so loaded with camp that it was only a matter of time before it got spoofed. Here's a parody calling Quixtar a pimp that whores dreams. It even includes a message for future generations: "Our god is money, and he treats us very well. You will join our land someday, and then you will understand the frozen smiles."
We're glad this frozen smile thing is a common problem. We actually thought people just didn't really like us, but this hope-filled manifesto reminds us that's not possible. - Contributed by Angela Natividad
Because we can't get enough of Wrigley, here's another update from their Candystand site. Adrants reader Mikey Rivve is stoked about the new "Xbox 360-quality" racing game which is just smothered in Wrigley's branding and which apparently also kicks Burger King's ass. But that's enough indulging Mikey. We think the BK games kick slightly more ass. We also think EVERYBODY makes a racing game.
We are bored with racing games. We think Wrigley should go that extra mile and use its other resources to make a really entertaining car-washing game. When they do, we will smile. And we will share it with all of you. - Contributed by Angela Natividad
- Dog butt with flower in its ass sells dog food.
- To coincide with its famous Paint ad, Sony has put out a collection of optical allusion print ads - the kind that make you think there's something wrong with you but in a good way. See them here.
- The California Milk Processors Board, with help from Goodby Silverstein & Partners has created a two minute theater ad called Aliens.
- Tom Hespos weighs in on the Edleman/Wal-Mart blog drama. We couldn't have said it better ourselves.
Hello? Purveyors of contextual advertising? Are you there? Do you care? Hasn't your technology been around long enough to cease the endless contextual mishaps that keep popping up? Do we really need killer values from supermarkets offered next to articles about Amish killings? Do we need turpentine ads next to bits about a teen drinking turpentine to abort a pregnancy? How about putting Anna Nicole Smith's dead son up for sale? Or "card shark" credit card copy next to an article about a woman jilled by a shark? Haven't we seen enough of these to realize a tune up is needed? Apparently not. Here's another one sent to us by The Consumerist.
We do not profess to be an expert of any kind on contextual advertising. We do not believe any of this is done maliciously either. We know there are very reputable contextual advertising companies out there who are above board and provide a great service to marketers. We don't know if these "misplacements" can ever be stopped but we'd love to see if anyone can try. On second thought, maybe not because then we'd have nothing to write about on this topic.
Oh, what people will read into things. You've all seen the new Sony Bravia Paint ad where a building complex is covered in paint July 4th-style, right? Well, apparently some in the UK feel the spot is a bit too reminiscent of 9/11. OK. All together now. "WTF?" Good. Now go back to work and forget about these oddballs who seem to have nothing better to do than twist just about anything into some sort of conspiracy.
Underscore Marketing President and blogger Tom Hespos sent us this help wanted ad for a sandwich shop which we just couldn't resist sharing with you. While preparing salad is a much needed skill in a restaurant, wording the need for such expertise can, in this case, be a bit misleading.
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