Yawn. Naked Woman Promotes Magazine

When I think of heading over to Borders or Barnes and Noble to pick up the latest copy of What Mobile Magazine, the first thing on my mind is always, always, always hot, sexy blondes with a Gwyneth Paltrow-ish come-hither look (which, much like Gwyneth herself isn't, though beautiful, all that come hither-ish after all) holding a mobile phone. Seriously. Doesn't everyone have that thought? (Thanks, George)

by Steve Hall    May-12-08   Comments (0)    File: Bad, Magazine, Racy   

Optical Allusions Amuse, Confuse, Promote Non-Existent Site

This was probably fun to film but, um, huh? OK, so it's kind of fun but to promote a new phone, the Samsung Soul? Two minutes later, you don't even care what it's for. Oh the not so minor detail the Song site is down doesn't help.

by Steve Hall    May-12-08   Comments (0)    File: Bad, Online, Video   

GM's Aveo Robot Beats Old Joke to Death

OK so BMW did the Mini robot thing. Then Citroen did it. Then it got spoofed. Then Sony spoofed it to promote a game. Then some kid spoofed the Sony Spoof. Then Citroen returned with a skating robot. Then...nothing happend for two years.

Now, moving only as quickly as GM can, Chevrolet is out with its own nod to the roof top dancing car robot thing turning the whole thing into a lame, two years too late joke. OK, so it's a little bit funny. Strawberry Frog Amsterdam created it.

by Steve Hall    May- 7-08   Comments (3)    File: Bad, Brands, Good, Video   

Nothing Says 'Olympics' Like a Jumper that Screams 'Lost Fan!' ... or Possibly 'MANGA CHARACTER!'

Ontario-based HBC.com is selling some zany-looking gear for the Beijing Olympics. Loud colours and frightening patterns aside, they appear to be slathered in symbols inspired by the Dharma Initiative in ABC's Lost.

I miss the catchy handcuff motif. What is it about Olympic sponsorship that makes creative people completely insane? (See Adidas cross-cultural flub, NYC's 2012 Olympic logo, London's epileptic nightmare.)

by Angela Natividad    May- 2-08   Comments (0)    File: Bad, Events, Promotions   

Amazon Needs a Nudge with that Newfangled 'Email Marketing' Thing

Dear Amazon.com Customer,

As someone who purchased video games or music from genres included in the game, you might be interested in our Grand Theft Auto IV music downloads store.

This is part of an email pitch that preceded a GIGANTOR graphic inviting me to "Download music from Grand Theft Auto IV."

more »

by Angela Natividad    Apr-30-08   Comments (3)    File: Bad, Brands, Online, Promotions   

Don't Get Mauled at Random; Do it On Vacation

Some contextual ad fun: This story, headed "Shark kills man off San Diego County coast" (and since changed), got really cozy with a tourism ad encouraging vacationers to get to know that sassy carnivore better.

South Africa. It's possible. Really, could that tagline be more perfect?

by Angela Natividad    Apr-30-08   Comments (2)    File: Bad, Online   

Jetblue Improves Flying Experience with Shiny New Euphemism

To keep wandering eyes from noticing it has stopped being cheap and its service has gotten all gnarly, Jetblue has launched "Happy Jetting" -- a campaign that encourages you to think that when you fly Jetblue, you ain't flyin', baby. You're jetting.

Right now I'm loving how the site, which is supposed to preach the benefits of Jetblue's user friendliness and "jetting" philosophy, hosts jack beyond an error page.

Way to jet, idiots!

by Angela Natividad    Apr-30-08   Comments (3)    File: Bad, Brands, Campaigns, Online   

Furry Puppet Hops Hottie Sex Tape-Style for MTV's Fur TV

OK, this is definitely NSFW but it's really, really funny -- if you're into watching a playful, lingerie-clad hottie have sex with a puppet, filmed in Paris Hilton Sex Tape lighting. There's moaning. There's groaning. There's writhing. There's slapping. There's penetration. And, of course, there's "completion."

All for UK MTV One's Fur TV.

by Steve Hall    Apr-29-08   Comments (0)    File: Bad, Good, Racy, Video   

Like a Tranny, the Satinelle's Merits are Many

We've seen weird shit sell razors before, but we've never seen an angle like this one.

For its Satinelle ice epilator, Philips explores the life of a transvestite. The premise is simple: he has feminine hair removal concerns AND a man's intolerance for pain.

I loved the spot's "tender journey" narrative. But that "Like all men he's not great with pain" jab? It's so wink-wink-nudge-nudge.

Jesus, Philips. You did a cool thing crossing the gender divide, but you screwed it all up with that last ra-ra for the Girls Team. We don't need to be coddled.

by Angela Natividad    Apr-28-08   Comments (0)    File: Bad, Brands, Good, Video   

Gladiator Ad Banned Because Contestants Breasts Are Too Large

Hot women with big breasts always seem to get the bum deal and it makes no sense. Why is it right to label and discriminate against a person simply because of their hotness and bra size? That appears to be what happened with a recent campaign for Gladiators in the UK which features Jemma Palmer in her Gladiator costume.

A local vicar has objected to the campaign. A spokesman for Sky One, the network on which Gladiators appears, said. "We thought it was such a great image that it would be great for the campaign. But it seems the vicar just thought Jemma was too hot and that her boobs were just too big."

OK so the board was to be placed next to a church and she's certainly dresses in less than her Sunday best but would God judge on looks alone?

by Steve Hall    Apr-28-08   Comments (1)    File: Bad, Policy, Racy