AIDS Campaigns Say 'HIV is Gay,' 'Horny Heads Get Lost'

Beyond Madison Avenue has examined two recent AIDS campaigns. The first, an LA-based campaign which carries the headline "HIV is a gay disease" is causing a stir but if those causing the stir would just read the body copy, they'd know that's not entirely what the ad's saying. The second, a German campaign, carries a racier tone typical of many European ads and cites, "It's easy to lose your head when your horny." Oh, the double (or is it triple) meaning there is just gold.

Stephen King Uses Creepiness to Promote MoveOn Functions

We opened our email this morning and found a letter from Stephen King entitled "I Know Scary." We thought, yes, that is true. And then we read on:

Dear MoveOn member,

If I know anything, I know scary. And giving this president and this out-of-control Congress two more years to screw up our future is downright terrifying. Thankfully, this national nightmare is one we can end with--literally--a wake up call.

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Post It Helps You Avoid Morning Awkwardness

While this notion is more myth than truth, Post It has done a nice job offering its services to those of us who just can't seem to remember the name of the person laying in bed with us the next morning.

Ben & Jerry's 'Clamates' Ice Cream Flavors

While fast forwarding through something on the DVR last night, we saw what looked like claymation character so we rewound to realize it was a new commercial called Half Baked from Ben and Jerry's. Its one of four in a series, created by Amalgamated and animated by LAIKA/house, that "claymates" ice cream flavors into characters. Shawn Waite isn't sure he likes the literal translation of the spots but we don't like to think too deeply about the topic of ice cream so we're just fine with their simplicity. If anything, they're quite different than ice cream advertising that has come before. Check the commercial out here, here, here and here.

Stella Artois Enshrines Chalice of Beer

At the corner of Bloor and Avenue in Toronto, Stella Artois unveiled a gigantic two-ton object called The Trap. At the heart of the monument sits a shining glass of Stella Artois beer. The campaign also features chalk drawings, printwork and a game in which pedestrians try to unravel a virtual maze.

The Trap is in Toronto until Oct 25, after which it'll do rounds of cities like New York and San Paulo. Check out shots of it here. - Contributed by Angela Natividad

The Big Pilot's Watch, Available at a Bus Near You

So you're commuting, right, reading a magazine and minding your own business, when you look up and - oh, man - realize you seriously dig the look of that bus strap against your wrist. In fact, you want one really, really bad.

Riders in Berlin, Germany get to try IWC's Big Pilot's watch mid-commute because bus straps have been fashioned into samplers by Jung von Matt/Alster. Neat. - Contributed by Angela Natividad

'Truth' Campaign Back In Business With Fact-Based Scare Tactics

The American Legacy Foundation, fresh out of its legal battles with the tobacco industry and in partnership with Arnold Worldwide, and Crispin Porter + Bogusky, has launched a new campaign entitled Infect Truth. The campaign consists of TV spots - airing on MTV, Comedy Central, G4 Tech TV, BET and others - and print as well as a host of digital elements including "Infections" in the form of screensavers, video, desktop themes, games and stickers all filled with juicy facts such as cigarettes containing sodium hydroxide, the same ingredient found in hair removal products. An email widget also allows people to send message written in back hair.

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MacBook Purchase Financed With Laptop Cover Ads

In yet another version of the eBay forehead/pregnant belly advertising thing, the very cute Leah Culver is asking for donations to retire her six year old G3 iMac and buy new MacBook Pro. In return, she promises to etch the names/brands of those who donate onto her new laptop for all to see in the San Francisco area for as long as the new computer lasts. She's already raised $2,687.44 which would appear to be enough to buy the MacBook but she's still selling adspace. Leah, tell us when you sell out, buy the computer and design the laptop cover. We'd love to see it. (Photo by Tantek)

Memorials Offered to Victims of Roadside Killers

Here's a seriously strange commercial that's part of Chicago's Healthy Streets campaign, an effort that aims to "redesign streets around the needs of people rather than motor vehicles alone." Last we checked, roads were for cars but, then again, in America, we tend to blur definitions to satisfy as many people as possible without offending anyone. PC tirade aside, this commercial, in a refreshingly un-PC like manner promotes Bob's Fuller Roadside Memorials, a company that delivers memorials to accident scenes so the person who killed someone can honor their victim. It's done so seriously that, at first, you think it's real until you realize you were an idiot to think so in the first place.

We're told some in Chicago are up in arms over the crass approach this commercial takes but we applaud it for it's in-your-face originality and departure from the standard lecture approach most "drive safe" campaigns take.

Airforce Says 'Do Something Amazing'

GSD&M, working with Zugara along with WINDOWSEAT Pictures, has launched a website for the US Airforce that, through the use of training video footage, aims to demonstrate a typical day in the life of Airforce personnel. Called Do Something Amazing, it's hard hitting and enjoyable to watch. We especially like the navigational sound effects.