The Execution of This Yamaha R1 Ad Concept Is So Painfully Bad It's Akin to Shoving A Bowling Ball Through One's Urethra

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We suppose an apology is in order for what we are about to say. Why? Well, because despite the fact we have gleefully skewered bad advertising since 2001, we also realize that there are actual, caring human being involved in the creation of good and bad advertising.

So let's be clear, this -- as it always has been -- is critique of the work, not the people behind it. OK?

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by Steve Hall    Nov-13-14    
Topic: Worst



Coupon Sites Do Not Steal Affiliate Channel Sales

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Let's just come right out upfront and say it; coupon sites do not steal sales from merchants. Oh really, some of you may say? Yes, really. Stick with me as we walk through how coupon sites can actually be of tremendous benefit to a merchant.

Now, in some cases, coupons do have the ability to steal sales but only if the merchant has not identified how to properly handle them in the affiliate channel. Any merchant that has a promo code field in their shopping cart or somewhere else in the purchase process is inviting the consumer to take 30 seconds, open up another tab or window and search for a deal.

And, yes, this happens often... so often there's a well-known term for it; shopping cart abandonment. But, remember, there are many forms of shopping cart abandonment and though, technically, this is one of them, in many cases it isn't and doesn't have to be. And this is one of the reasons coupon sites can be great for merchants.

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by Steve Hall    Nov-13-14    
Topic: Opinion



The Weirdest, Wackiest, Lamest, Sexiest, Most Awesome Ads of the Week

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- They're kind of a snooze but if you want to watch all of the new Dollar Shave Club TV ads, they are here.

- Yet another weird (and very good) ALDI Australia ad created by BMF.

- Right in line with the odd approach Dollar Shave Club took with its collection of new ads, JWT New York is out with a very manscaping-centric commercial entitled Crib in My Pants. Seriously the weirdest shaving ad you will ever see. But, damn, that "first girlfriend" is of the charts cute!

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by Steve Hall    Nov-11-14    
Topic: Commercials



Could the Model In These New VW Jetta Ads Possibly Have A More Gigantic Smile?

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Normally when an agency creates work for a brand, they want the consumer of that creative to focus on the message contained within the ad for that brand. But sometimes, without anyone intending to do so, there's an element within a given ad that sometimes garners more attention that it should.

In this case, it's the gigantic smile on the model in two new Deutsch LA-created ads for the new VW Jetta. Of course the concept, which features a flight attendant (the aforementioned person with the gigantic smile) in the passenger seat reeling off the automobiles awesome features...as if she were doing that whole inflight safety thing...is perfect. Why? Because the spots will be airing in-flight on JetBlue, United and Frontier now through New Year's.

Great teeth! Uh, I mean, great ads.

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by Steve Hall    Nov-11-14    
Topic: Commercials



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SXSW Interactive Adds Health And MedTech Expo

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Just when you thought SXSW couldn't possibly get any bigger. Expanding upon the success of past programming on this topic, SXSW Interactive is adding the SX Health and MedTech Expo to the slate of activities for March 2015 in Austin. The brand new JW Marriott Hotel will serve as home for this first-year exhibit space.

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by Steve Hall    Nov-11-14    
Topic: SXSW



How Brands Can Leverage Social Media Influencers to Visually Connect With Consumers on Instagram

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Instagram is undoubtedly one of the most influential social networks available in today's social landscape. With over 200 million users sharing upwards of 20 billion photos, the mobile platform is fertile ground for brands looking to connect with an exceedingly captive audience.

However, Instagrammers are notoriously resistant to direct advertising on Instagram, and the platform has only recently begun to cautiously implement promoted posts. Overall, users have been fairly receptive to the ads, but with all the marketing potential Instagram holds, there are much more effective means for engaging consumers on the social platform.

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by Steve Hall    Nov-11-14    
Topic: Opinion



MediaCom Wins Adweek Media Plan of the Year for Pennzoil SXSW Activation

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A well-deserved win. Adweek has named MediaCom USA winner of the Media Plan of the Year for its Pennzoil "Mario Kart Reimagined" activation at the 2014 SXSW festival.

On a live custom-made quarter-mile race track in Austin, Texas, Pennzoil created Mario Kart Reimagined, turning the Nintendo video game into a real-life go-karting experience showcasing Shell's new Pennzoil Platinum synthetic oil.

Go-karts were outfitted with GoPros and RFID technology enabling classic game icons like the banana peel and red turtle shell to throw racers off their guard, while Pennzoil Power Ups served to increase the karts' speed and performance. It's said that SXSW attendees waited up to four hours to do their best Bowser or Princess Peach impressions behind the wheel.

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by Steve Hall    Nov-10-14    
Topic: Events