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Radio Promotion to Capitalize on Failure of 'Gigli'

WBCN, a Boston radio station is offering "I Survived Gigli" t-shirts to moviegoers who sit through the entire film at its final showing at a Boston theater this Thursday, according to Reuters.

Since 'Gigli' sucked so bad, it will be removed from U.S. movie theaters after the contractual two week run because of dismal ticket sales. In its second week, 'Gigli' dropped a record-breaking 82% at the box office.

Those who show up can enter a "J Lo Butt Contest" and the contestant with the most bodacious booty will win an X-Box.
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by Steve Hall    Aug-13-03    




Advertising When Culture Was Not Politically Correct

Here's an ad for those who think the political correctness move has gone too far. OK, so maybe smoking and drinking really isn't good for pregnancy but you get the idea. Click image to view full size.
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by Steve Hall    Aug-13-03    




Advertisers Wary of Edgy Programming

For all their bravado about being cutting edge, most advertisers shy away from edgy or racy television programming. This Fall, three shows will put the sensitivities of advertisers to the test. NBC's Coupling, Fox's Skin and ABC's It's All Relative will all push the boundaries of what is acceptable on non-pay cable channels.

As broadcasters recognize the demise of the Reality genre, the next fad just might be shows that try to emulate cable shows such as Six Feet Under and Sex in the City albeit with the conservative network censorship in place. It's too bad the censors have to concentrate on language rather than quality though. If that were the case, TV would be a much better place.
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by Steve Hall    Aug-13-03    




TV Guide Launches Racy New Strategy to Stem Circulation Losses

With TV Guide losing readers faster than Britney can take her clothes off for Elle, the magazine has undertaken a new editorial direction. Following the successful lad magazine trend, TV Guide will move towards racier covers and content in an effort to stem losses in circulation.

The first of the new issues will feature Party of Five star Jennifer Love Hewitt in a skin tight leopard skin mini-dress seemingly unable to cover or support her very large and heavy looking cleavage. Inside will be a feature article on her upcoming talk show in which she will supposedly reveal even more of her bulging and weighty curvaceousness.

This is certainly a dramatic move for the usually staid and conservative magazine. Large and pendulous curvature may not have worked for Miller Lite but perhaps it might for TV Guide. It will no doubt increase newsstand sales.

Who will be worthy of future covers? Jessica Simpson and Nikki Cox are certainly qualified.

Perhaps this risky change will pay off and give TV Guide the lift it needs. If it doesn't then the magazine is destined to continue down it's flacid path of impotency. Click the image to view an even bigger version of Love Hewitt's enormous assets. (J)
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by Steve Hall    Aug-12-03    




Disaster Specialist Claims Volkswagen Touareg Ad Reckless

Jane Yount, disaster response coordinator for the Church of the Brethren and president of the Maryland's Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster calls the VW Touareg ad called "Stream" showing the vehicle effortlessly driving through 22 inches of water "reckless".

"I fear that decades of disaster safety education have been jeopardized, thanks to one hair-brained commercial on national television," said Yount. "The cardinal rule of flood safety is, never attempt to drive through a flooded road. I thought, 'Oh my goodness, people are going to see that and think they can drive through deep water."

I just can't believe there are so many people out there from so many ridiculous "cause" groups that can't take a joke, see humor, or realize people are not as stupid as they make them out to be. Of course people know you shouldn't drive through a lot of water. People are also intelligent enough to see the comedy in the ad. It's time for this idiotic, overprotective hand-holding to end and for all these "cause" groups to let us get on with our lives.
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by Steve Hall    Aug-12-03    




Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham Featured in Rocawear Ad Campaign

Formerly known as Posh Spice, Victoria Beckham, wife of soccer legend David Beckham is featured in a new ad campaign for Rocawear, the clothing label owned by Beyonc� Knowles's rapper boyfriend Jay-Z.

Along with this ad campaign, Beckham is raising her level of awareness in the States with a talk show tour in support of her upcoming hip-hop album produced by Damon Dash of Roc-A-Fella records.
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by Steve Hall    Aug-12-03    




Reebok Uses California Govenor's Race as Marketing Ploy

Lester Spreight, the actor who plays Terry Tate in Reebok's television commercials has entered the now comical California Governors race. Reebok on behalf of Spreight filed official documents. In support of the candidate, Reebok has created a promotional web site along with the tagline, "Save our state - vote Terry Tate."

This is a brilliant, if not sleazy, marketing ploy by Reebok. The race has turned into a farce but is receiving national coverage providing Reebok with a vast amount of free publicity.
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by Steve Hall    Aug-12-03    




Benny Benassi Power Tools Video Needs Advertiser Logo

This video called "Satisfaction" from DJ Benny Benassi has been making the rounds for two months but I've only just found a decent link to it. If you like power tools and you like hot babes gyrating their boobs and butts in bikinis, then this video is for you.

All this video needs to become a great ad is the logo of a tool manufacturer. Stanley? Makita? Black and Decker? Any takers? I guarantee you your sales will go up.
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by Steve Hall    Aug-11-03    




Water is Theme For This Week's Commercials

Two spots in this week's Ad Age TV Spots of the Week feature water as the central character . The first is every guy's dream. For Mudd Jeans, which Britney Spears popularized, a couple strolls romantically through a field only to be assaulted by the sprinkler system. Of course, the girl revels in the beauty of being soaked and dances seductively for us until she is completely soaked finally getting a big kiss from her boyfriend. The second, for Gordon's Gin, shows the lengths people go to in order to be refreshed with H2O. Watch closely as the spot starts. You will see some intruigingly pendulous activity.

Other spots this week includes a Hispanic focused ad for McDonald's, an illuminating spot for Kids Foot Locker and Reebok, a wife calling attention to her husbands love handles to promote a bathroom scale, a kid who sticks pencils up his nose illustrating why parents should not spend a lot on school supplies, and a spot from Subway featuring the Sherman brothers who lost 100 pounds each by adhering to a Subway diet.


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by Steve Hall    Aug-11-03    




Levi's Pulls Commercial Following Another Idiotic Politically Correct Outcry

Levi Strauss has pulled an ad featuring a women on horseback riding down railroad tracks and jumping over an oncoming train following complaints by the rail safety group Operation Lifesaver. The group claims the ad encourages risky behavior.

The ad itself is meant to be seen as fantasy and not real however that did not sway the group which sent a letter to Levi Strauss requesting the ad be pulled.

Perhaps all ads should now carry a disclaimer stating, "Nothing in this ad is real. Nothing in this ad matters. Nothing in this ad is meant to be offensive in any way, shape or form. Nothing in this ad should be construed to be racial or strereotypical in any way. Nothing in this ad should be believed. Nothing in this ad is really worth you getting your britches in a bunch so just back the fuck off and enjoy it for what it is."
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by Steve Hall    Aug-11-03    




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