Pepsi Launches Male Version of the U.K. Gladiator Ad

Ad-Land is reporting a sequel to the U.K. Pepsi mega-mercial that featured Beyonce, Pink and Britney throwing down to the an over-bearing emperor. In this sequel, Beckham leads a team of football players. I haven't seen the spot yet because I can't locate it. Admittedly, I didn't try too hard. As soon as I do and if it actually exists, you'll see it here.

Super Bowl XXVII Ad Review

Calling this year's crop of Super Bowl ads "flat, conservative, and becoming more and more boring each year," Adland gives us a spot by spot rundown.

Over Used Cleavage Marketing Tactic Never Gets Tired

Michelle Trachtenberg's breasts are being put to good use here in this movie poster for the new Dreamworks movie Eurotrip. The movie, from the producers of Road Trip and Old School, follows a guy and his lust from America to Berlin in pursuit of some hot chick. Michelle and her boobs go along for the ride. It's amazing what a good bra and Photoshop can do because Michelle doesn't look so big all the time. You decide. Check out her hotness here or a bigger version of the movie poster here.

Bids Reach $80,700 For the Jenny Number: 867-5309

If you were around 20 years ago, you remember the Tommy Tutone (Thnaks Dave) Jenny song in which the telephone number 867-5309 was repeated over and over in the chorus causing anyone who actually had that phone number major headaches. Now, those headaches could turn into a windfall for anyone who wins the ongoing eBay bid for the 212 version of that telephone number. That's right, the owner of 212-867-5309 has put the number up for bid and bids are currently at $80,700. It's a memorable number and all a company that wins the bid for that number has to do is license use of Huey's song and they could end up with one of the most memorable jingles of all time.

Telephone number portability has made these types of tranfers possible and the rise in voice over IP services such as Vonage would allow a person or business to be anywhere in the world and be reached by this 212 number. The Jenny number's been used in other instances in other area codes, including in a recent Cingular ad campaign, but the 212 area code has a strong worldwide presence making the potential of this number and corresponding marketing a very powerful combination. Via Viral Marketing Blog. More 867-5309 history and trivia here.

Unfortunate News in Adrant's Ad World Today

As of today, I'm no longer working as Media Director at RDW Group. I won't go into the reasons why I'm not because it will just sound petty. It's actually a good thing. So, I am looking for a job. My background is on the advertising agency side in the media and account service areas. Also, over the last two years, I have been an avid blogger/journalist having launched Adrants as well as co-founding MarketingWonk and contributing to BizNetTravel.

I'd appreciate any help any of you might be able to give in terms of possible leads. I'm interested in both agency and client side work as well as blogging/journalism opportunities. I'm Boston-based but will consider any location. And yes, I will keep things going here at Adrants although I may need a day or two to get back in the mood. Thanks, in advance, for any help you can give.

My resume is here.

Christina Aguilera, Boy George and Linda Evangelista in Ads For M.A.C. Cosmetics

Christina Aguilera, Boy George and Linda Evangelista will replace Elton John, Mary J. Blige and Shirley Manson as the new faces of cosmetics company M.A.C. The three will appear in advertisements for M.A.C.'s Viva Glam campaign this spring. Cash from the Viva Glam line goes to AIDS charities. The latest campaign marks the 10th anniversary of the M.A.C. Aids Fund, which has raised more than $32 million for HIV victims.

Thrilled Boy George says, "I've been wearing make-up since I was 14-years-old. I feel it was about time I was rewarded." Hmm...

MTA Say No to NYC Condom Ad

New York's MTA has deemed inappropriate, an ad featuring a condom-draped ad that the Gay Men's Health Crisis group wanted to place in subway stations and cars. The ads, of course, look like a penis which might have something to do with the MTA decision. Can't we just have fun in advertising? So many rules to follow....

Lamb Hoof Used in Ad Agency Promotional Mailing Receives Mixed Results

�sk W�ppling of Adland recounts the story of a Swedish ad agency, Cole, Russel & Pryce, who dreamt up the idea to send a real lambs foot to its clients and prospects promoting the agency and its new website. The campaign consisted of two emails and a physical mailing. The first email, showing a picture of a cute lamb, asked recipients to visit the agency's website "for the sake of the lamb." The second email showed the lamb with one of its front hoofs cut off. Immediately following the second email, clients and prospect received a same day physical mailing containing a real lamb's foot.

While the campaign certainly drew attention to the agency, it didn't go over so well with big client, Vodaphone, who said the "campaign showed incredibly bad judgment" causing the agency to fire founder and Creative Director Olle Sj�d�n. Oops.

Visit Adland to see a picture of the poor, butchered lamb.

Harvard Hotties to Go Nude in New 'H-Bomb' Magazine

It's official. Nudity and porn are no longer something to be scared of or shoved under your pillow when Mom/Wife/Girlfriend walks in the bedroom. If Harvard University, the bastion of conservative higher education, can publish a nudie magazine, well then, it must be acceptable for the rest of the country.

It's true. Harvard University Committee on College Life has blessed the publication of a campus magazine called "H-Bomb" which will feature undergraduate women in nude layouts. Oh sure, there will be articles and stuff but we all know why the magazine will be bought.

Bringing attention to First Amendment rights, publishers Katherina Baldegg, and Camilla Hardy said, "It will provide comfortable, relaxed discussion that doesn't hold back and puts a lighter spin on something that shouldn't be a restricted or delicate topic at Harvard."

So what happens, as a Harvard student, when you go to class and there you are sitting next to the model you just "enjoyed" last night in the magazine? What do you say? How do you act? Will it be awkward? I need to know. Harvard student, please let me know.

'Survivor' Contestant Leaves Tonight Due to Mother's Death (No Spoiler)

Jeff Probst has been quoted as saying the Internet will be the death of shows like "Survivor" because secrets will be leaked killing suspense, the major reason these shows are watched. A while back, the two finalists of "Survivor All Stars" was leaked and reported on Andy Dehnart's realityblurred weblog. I read about it and quickly forgot the names. Don't follow that link if you don't want to know. Today, as I drove into work, a local Boston DJ apparently had the same info and read off the order in which contestants would be booted off the show.

I, as a fan of the show, quickly turned the radio down because I didn't want to know the information. That information is the entire reason behind the success of the show. If you know who wins, why watch? Unfortunately, I did not turn the radio down before I heard who will be leaving the show tonight and why. Don't worry, I'm not reporting it here. When I turned the radio back up, I also heard one of the names of the two finalists. I'm not reporting that here either. If you really want to know, I've put the names on a separate page here if you really must know.

Secrets have always been leaked about many things but when the entire premise of a show rests on not knowing the outcome, the decision as to whether to reveal who the show goes is a tough one. And, if you are a fan of the show or any other reality show, do you really want to know who wins? It's a dilemma and one that is only going to get worse as more and more secrets are leaked.

UPDATE: Thursday 8:54 PM EST - Jenna M. left. And it was sad. Her Mom died eight days later from cancer.