National Geographic Celebrates Growth With Big Fat Ad

Some might call this offensive to the weight-challenged, but this new trade ad for National Geographic that appeared in Ad Age does a nice job of melding imagery with copy. Referring to exploding sales and fatter issues brought on by a 35 percent increase in sales over last year, the ad is laced language that relates magazine growth to body size. In some instances, fatness is a good thing - Vogue's September issues - and in some cases it's not - 500 pound people who can't lose weight even though they starve themselves trying. Whether offensive or not, it's a daring use of imagery in our ridiculously politically correct culture.

Click the image to view the full sized ad.

21-Oct-04 » File under: (0)

eBay Begets egay

Continuing the niche-ification of all things media, a UK group on October 20 has launched egay, an eBay-like site design for the gay and lesbian community. For the first two month of the launch, placement of auction items will be free.

Following that fees are said to be 30 percent lower than eBay fees.

egay Founder and Managing Partner Craig Busst described the site as one that "aims to provide not only a great service, but a distinctive and credible website that serves the requirements of the gay, lesbian, bi-Sexual, transsexual and transvestite communities." He added, We plan to develop the site, introducing egay chat and egay dating, but our main focus will continue to be the quality of service."

Portions of egay profit will be donated to the HIV and AIDS charity Terrence Higgins Trust.

21-Oct-04 » File under: (0)

Bill Clinton 'Featured' In ALLTEL Commercial

In response to an article in Adweek in which ALLTEL said they were looking for ideas, Harry Webber and his DoubleThink group have put together a humorous campaign for the Midwestern telecom provider featuring Bill Clinton.

21-Oct-04 » File under: (0)

Wiz Radio Launches In-Bathroom Radio Network

Once a haven for stress free rumination, the men's public rest room has been under siege by marketers desperate to get their claws into unsuspecting consumers at all costs. Following other wiz-related bathroom advertising, I Heard It Media Group in Hartford, has launched WIZ RADIO, a pre-recorded audio production that plays in the restrooms of twenty-five establishments. Consisting of comedy, trivia, and advertisements, the feed is updated and changed monthly. In addition to the on premise audio, is WizRadio.com, a website for searching nightlife, dining, entertainment, career search, singles connection and shopping. Advertisers in the Hartford market are Coors, Guinness, Miller, Hartford Advocate, LIA Hyundai, and Travis Mortgage. The product is scheduled to be in all major cities across the United States by June 2005. Soon, earplugs may become as important as toilet paper.

20-Oct-04 » File under: (0)

Adrants Billboards: A Creative Manifesto

• LookSmart, an Internet search company, announced today that David Hills has been appointed as the Company's Chief Executive Officer, effective October 25, 2004. Mr. Hills will succeed Damian Smith, who has served as interim CEO since January 2004.
• Hugh MacLeod, an advertising executive and popular blogger with a flair for the creative, gives his 26 tried-and-true tips for being truly creative in this manifesto. Each point illustrated by a cartoon drawn by the author himself.

20-Oct-04 » File under: (0)

Mobile Billboards Now Follow Bikes

As an extension of the mobile billboard, BikeBillboards.com has launched a new form of mobile billboard that is towed behind a bike instead of a truck. We look forward to the grudge match between mobile billboard truck drivers and bike billboard riders as they jockey for position at the latest trade show.

20-Oct-04 » File under: (0)

Best Buy Creates Slothmore Institute Couch Potato Site

In an odd effort to promote its couch potato inducing selection of home electronics, Best Buy has launched Slothmore Institute, a website full of ideas to help consumers sit on their asses, be more lazy, make more excuses and buy more products. The 888 number is particularly amusing.

20-Oct-04 » File under: (0)

Beer Brand Sponsors Subway Musicians

British beer brand Carling is now sponsoring subway musicians who appear in the London Underground paying them money and placing branded marketing materials around the performers.

20-Oct-04 » File under: (0)

Sun Editors Fight With Marketers

U.K. Sun editor Rebekah Wade has ordered the paper's sports desk to drop all mention of football (soccer) sponsors from its coverage in the latest salvo in the ongoing rights battle between newspapers and the game's governing bodies. The move, which is sure to enrage sponsors such as Barclays and Coca-Cola which have shelled out millions for the naming rights to the leagues, comes as the two sides have failed to come to an agreement on the terms under which the game should be covered by the press.

20-Oct-04 » File under: (0)

Burger King Does Less Subservient Chicken

Burger King, with the help of Miami's Crispin Porter + Bogusky, is doing strange things with chickens again to promote their chicken menu items.

This time, rather than bossing around a garter-clad chicken, visitors to Chicken Fight can pit "TC" aka Tendercrisp Chicken against "Spicy" aka Spicy Tendercrisp Chicken against each other in a boxing ring. It's not as engaging as the Subservient Chicken effort a few months back, which, admittedly, would be hard to top but it's amusing enough. It appears there's a networked, multi-player version arriving soon that may effect (Ed. affect?) the pass-along of this viral effort more quickly than the standard email a friend feature.

The purpose of the site is to promote a "real" fight between the two chicken characters on DirecTV November 5 at 10PM. We question, though, how the effectiveness of this campaign will be measured and suggest that, perhaps, fight winners be given redeemable coupons which could then be measured in stores as well as, ideally, increase sales.

We particularly love the disclaimer copy at the bottom of the site for those law-suit happy, animal loving morons. "No real chickens were harmed in the making of this advertising campaign. Burger King Corporation does not endorse or condone animal cruelty in any way including chicken fighting. The chicken characters featured in this advertising campaign are just actors wearing a chicken costume." No shit.

20-Oct-04 » File under: (0)