Adrants Forced to Accept Questionable 'Pherotones' Ad

pherotones.jpg

We in the editorial department of Adrants are saddened to note our advertising department has, against our better judgment, decided to accept an ad promoting the much-maligned Pherotones campaign from McKinney-Silver. While we understand advertising supports this site and, generally, makes the world go 'round, our pompous rantings at the doorway of our sales director were brushed off with a quick "go pointlessly bitch about another lame viral campaign. They pay for your ass, you idiot!" Our ego bruised, it is with our utmost apologies, dear readers, that we subject you to the hypocrisy Adrants has thrust upon you.

by Steve Hall    Jan-19-06   Click to Comment   
Topic: Announcements, Viral, Worst   

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Comments



Comments

LOL!

Hey, *I* want to be irresistable! Tell me more!

Posted by: Eric Weaver [TypeKey Profile Page] on January 19, 2006 9:10 PM

I agree that stealth marketing shouldn't go too far, but I think that the site is pretty amusing. No one would really think, unless they're not too swift, that the site is a joke of some kind - it's more of a humorous tease than an attempt to mislead... My 2 cents

Posted by: Sean on January 19, 2006 9:39 PM

viral advertising doesn't necessarily mean it's good advetising. and even though the A3 viral/branded entertainment/web game is being touted as the best of this year, to me it means it's just the only one out there that had as much exposure. it's not as breakthrough as subservient chicken nor beta7 or i love bees or even blair witch, for that matter. ease up mckinney. get some ideas up before that friggin gnome from your expedia commercials becomes your calling card.

Posted by: who cares on January 19, 2006 10:07 PM

Come on mckinney...this entire strategy is sooo 2 years ago....i bet it's either your creative group that can't get it up or that your account team is too scared for innovation...which one is it?

Posted by: Bust a Cap on January 19, 2006 11:47 PM

Side-splitting funny, Steve.

"Money talks. Bullshit walks."

Posted by: David Burn on January 20, 2006 9:27 AM

Even before I clicked on the banner I was impressed by the 3d effect in the photo of the white smocked lab tech with open silk blouse and come hither eyes (my glasses just steamed up again)---the landing page is top drawer quality and the blog, FAQ, links and all page links are all best of class. The sound files are all subtle and professional- without question each one is a delight for the ears. I'm not sure which I will make my new RingTone but with the double-mint casting call set for next Tuesday here in the FlatIron I’m leaning toward the Pherotones designed for attracting double trouble. Kudos to your client. They just raised the bar for outstanding digital advertisers everywhere(imho). They just raised the bar for all interactive creative departments (imho).

Posted by: arthuradotas on January 20, 2006 10:12 AM

http://pherotones.blogspot.com/2006/01/newton-apple-and-gravity.html

More stealth ridiculousness...

Posted by: Nick on January 20, 2006 11:08 AM

I smell conspiracy! Steve you KNOW your post was just part of this huge stealth effort to pull the wool over all our eyes! This is all too pat. Too convenient. You're part of the machine, Steve. Part of the machine.

Posted by: American Copywriter on January 20, 2006 11:29 AM

Steve is totally a pawn in this. Why would he keep talking about it? Nice job, McKInney...get the critics to give you press. Brilliant.

Posted by: Me on January 20, 2006 11:25 PM

of course I'm a pawn. Every time i write something I'm a pawn for someone. I've been around long enough to know that quite clearly. McKinney taking my bait and placing an ad on Adrants was, indeed, brilliant on their part as they knew I'd have to come up with some reason as to why I would accept an ad from something I had trashed.

Posted by: Steve Hall on January 20, 2006 11:59 PM

There's not enough big-picture thinking in advertising these days. You could call this stealth marketing or guerilla marketing, or some other bullshit term, but the fact of the matter is that this trickster marketing has been going on for a long time in American culture (i.e. "War of the Worlds" radio performance of 1930s, Ovaltine decoder rings... Pearl Harbor). Is it a bad thing for the brand? Not if you believe 'no controversy is bad controversy'. Tricking the American people is bad business, yes. But, if it's limited to the silly world of advertising, laugh it off, scrubs.

Posted by: Santos on January 21, 2006 1:58 PM

How much extra did they pay you to make this mock-complaint? I mean, we all know that nobody looks at the ads anyway, we just check your posts, so....
;)

Posted by: Dabitch on January 22, 2006 9:15 AM

I guess Wikipedia will take an ad from Pherotones next, to stop all the bitching about that faked Wikipedia entry.

I also guess I'm now the only "curmudgeon" left, Steve ... thanks a lot. It's lonely out here.

Posted by: scott on January 22, 2006 12:31 PM

Ah, Dabitch...if only. If only the conspiracy theories were true! I'd be rich, I could retire and someone else could win the Best Commercial Ad Blog category in your Battle of the Ad Blogs survey:-)

Posted by: Steve Hall on January 22, 2006 2:06 PM