Elmex Toothpaste Helps Fight Cavities By Promoting Cavities

Shalmor Avnon Amichay/Y&R Interactive in Tel Aviv did this bus promotion where 600,000 tickets were given out with teeth artwork on one side. As each rider takes a trip, the card is punched and voila: You have a growing number of cavities. Hmmm. One of those things that looks cool until you realize, do I really need to see a... growing number of cavaties? No, it's okay. You know the answer.

New Yorkers, Bagging Kenny Cole, and Party Pic Greatness

- Ken Cole. Patriot.

- Jetpacks still not quitting.

- All black ads look alike.

- New Yorkers shooting New Yorkers.

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Losing Fuel, Teddy's dead legs and Mad Women

- Fuel loses fuel.

- MCD gives those hardworking kids a day off in the city.

- Well, that didn't take long. Long live Teddy's dead legs.

- Fake WWF campaign lands just in time for 9/11!

- Where the white women at?

Kentucky Mad Men, Queen Latifah and Woodstock Love

- Need a date? Mad Men need not apply.

- KFC wants you to Go f... fry yourself.

- More real fake designer bag bargains.

- Naked Netflix.

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Buying a Fork For $151? PRICELESS!

Having exhausted all contacts, (okay, I asked one person I knew), I'm going under the assumption that what I got sent to me is actually a viral campaign for Target, because, well, THERE'S BIG RED LOGOS EVERYWHERE. I appreciate a good one-line gmail stealth campaign as much as the next person, but if this is actually for the retailer, an otherwise clever idea and simple execution of the awkward price proposition was absolutely wasted.

To go through the trouble of avoiding brand mentions but then give the idea away right as you enter the site seems like a waste. If this isn't for them? It's okay. I'm an ad blogger. Facts don't matter with us when compared to real journalists. Either way, it's still a whacked site and props to the creators.

Keyword Gayness, NBC Must-Fire TV and Verizon's Crop Art

- Keywords gone wild!

- NBC = Next Big Cutback?

- Digital writers wanted. Earn while you churn!

- Can you see me from space now?

Creative Director Says 'Do Not Follow Me' With T-Shirt Line

After running into Keith Lane, a creative director at an agency I used to work at, Emerson Lane Fortuna, at the Boston AdClub Reunion, we did the required social media hook up on Facebook. Then, upon reading his Wall, I hilariously discover he's got as jaded a view of social media as I do. So much so, he's gone an created a line of CafePress-wear entitled the Anti-Social Networkers.

The line hypes what Lane dubs the three most overused words of the year: friend, share and connect. Headlines indlude Do Not Follow Me, Linked Out, Zero Connections, Do Not Follow Me and more.

And, yes, there's even a thong. On Facebook, Lane's Daughter Courtney commented, "friggin' genius!! but quick question: was it your idea to have thongs??" to whick Lane responded, "Validation from my first born anti-social child. Thanks, Court. You made my anti-social day. The thongs? No comment. Love, Dad"

Dad and daughter talking about thongs on Facebook. Bet Keith didn't foresee this when he held Courtney in his arms swaddled in a baby blanket.

FWA Honors Those That Made it 50 Million Visits Strong

The Favorite Website Awards (FWA) celebrates 50 million visitors (and counting!) by creating a subsite dedicated to you, the good user.

The "Favorite Visitor Awards" invites users to upload their images where "favorite websites" would normally be featured. Up top, a ticker continues counting the number of visitors the site has served.

Fun stuff; the mood's infectious, even. Work by Domani Studios.

Success of 'Signs' Springboards Schweppes into YouTube Top 10

In a coup to position itself as the refresher of choice for discriminating grown-ups, last year Schweppes Europe launched the Schweppes Short Film Festival.

Like Little Minx's Cadavre Exquis ("Exquisite Cadaver") project, five directors from The Sweet Shop were tasked with creating short human dramas for the 'net, the only requirement being that each film contain a "Schhh Moment."

"Consequently all the shorts make reference to Schweppes at some point, however this product placement is thankfully subtle and clever," says Creative Review, which posted the films on its blog.

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Carousel Brings Sharp Clarity to a Moment in Crime

Philips Cinema brings us the mildly unsettling "Carousel," where a hospital shootout between the SWAT team and demented clowns is frozen and investigated by a slow-moving camera.

Money flutters through the night sky, the faces of cops are taut with tension; and you can actually see the caked makeup creases on the masks of the tormentors. It's strange and beautiful; we watched wordless from beginning to end.

The online oeuvre was directed by Adam Berg via Stink Digital for Philips' hi-def Cinema Proportion TV. More at Philips Cinema; also see deliciously engaging making-of (shown below).

According to Berg, the secret to a great film is narrative and light. Food for thought, whether you're directing an epic or breathing :30 of life into a brand under your care.

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