Childrens' Deplorable Living Conditions Highlighted in UNICEF Video

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So here's yet another look at the plight of less then fortunate children across the globe. It's "a glimpse into the lives of children around the world who are missing out on these basic rights - the right to an education, to a childhood, to be healthy, to be treated fairly and to be heard."

Yea, it's sad but as one commenter points out, it's unlikely to change anything. The commenter wrote:

"It's unfortunate and shameful that there have been countless touching/disturbing videos such as this in last 30/40 years but nothing major has yet to be done about poverty of any kind! Too much of the world is run from executive offices rather than by people. For the combined wealth of individuals past, present and future global poverty can become a thing of the past but of course most are aware of this but find it easier to ignore and live in their air conditioned cars and buildings..."

A pessimistic viewpoint for sure but, ask yourself. Are children better off than they were 30 - 40 years ago?

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by Steve Hall    Jul-29-10    
Topic: Cause



DirecTV Stereotypes, Timberlake Directs, Sears Facebooks

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- "Opulence. I has it." Right up there with Verizon Dumb Dads and blacks who love chicken comes this new commercial from Grey New York and Biscuit Filmworks' director Tim Godsall for DirecTV that portrays a Russian doofus as if he were an Italian goomba. Oh wait, is that too many layers of stereotyping?

- Guys, why do all the work looking for a date when you can just sit back and let the women come to you?

- If you own a company, you can direct your own commercials. And that's just what Justin Timberlake did for his 901 Silver Tequila. The ad is dumb.

- Naomi Watts will front Ann Taylor's Autumn 2010 advertising campaign.

- Steffan Postaer, author of The Happy Soul Industry, is out with a new book. It's called Sweet by Design. He calls it a novel/social media experiment.

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by Steve Hall    Jul-28-10    
Topic: Cause, Celebrity, Commercials, Online, Video



Fishnet Stockings and Cupped Breasts Urge Australians to Vote

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There are many ways to convince people to vote. This, we must say, is the first time we've seen a porn-ish strategy applied. To get young people to vote, a print ad asks, "I'm legal. How about you?" Accompanying that witticism is an image that leaves no doubt which double entendre the ad's creators were going for.

Dressed in fishnet stockings and a thong, a "barely legal" woman is cupping her breasts and looking into the camera as if you were the only thing on the planet she had on her mind the moment that shutter clicked.

Of course, the ad comes from the Australian Sex Party, an organization which aims to fight for Australian's sexual rights and personal freedoms and urges the government to keep politicians out of the bedroom.

Thanks, Bill.

by Steve Hall    Jul-20-10    
Topic: Cause, Political, Racy



Seals Clubbed, Old Spice Spoofed, Aniston Stripped, Camera Lifeproofed

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- PETA sets Oh Canada to baby seal slaughter.

- Old Spice remixed. Funny. Except for the way to long self-promo at the end from the video's creator.

- Jennifer Aniston gets naked to sell her new line of perfume.

- Why was the world's most famous plus-sized model photoshopped to look skinny?

- Tommy Hilfiger's Fall 2010 campaign does the Royal Tenenbaums.

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by Steve Hall    Jul-19-10    
Topic: Brands, Cause, Celebrity, Industry Events, Racy, Spoofs



Does 9/11 Make All Mulsims Terrorists? NBC, CBS Reject Ground Zero Mosque Ad

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There are just way too many political and religious issues surrounding this ad from the National Republican Trust PAC which asks Americans to oppose the building of a Muslim mosque near the World Trade Center site for us to comment.

But, why not. So, here we go. Everyone has the right to practice their religion of choice. At least in this country. Just because a particular religion is associated with the bad behavior of a few who practice that religion does not make everyone who practices that religion evil. Television networks have the right to refuse any ad which falls outside their guidelines. People have the right to call foul on any network who makes such a decision.

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by Steve Hall    Jul-16-10    
Topic: Cause, Opinion, Policy, Political



Indian Model Lara Dutta Dons Lettuce For PETA GoVeg Campaign

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Here we go again. Peta. Veggies. Hotties covered in lettuce. All to convince us meat is bad and veggies are good. This time it's actress Lara Dutta donning the leaves for the cause.

Personally, we prefer her in a bikini. And short shorts. Under shower of water.

by Steve Hall    Jul- 9-10    
Topic: Cause



Vomit-Fueled Puke-Fest Calls Attention to Teen Drinking

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Gee thanks, AdFreak. Thanks for helping the us toss up our bloody mary this morning after watching this Atticus Finch-created PSA for NHS Northamptonshire. We just love watching idiotic teens drink themselves into oblivion and swim in their own puke.

But there was a silver lining to this vomit-fest. It woke us up. Oh yes it did. For a while there, we thought we were just going to blow the day off and head to the beach. Now, it seems, we just might do a little work. If only to take our mind off the disgusting realization getting drunk can, well, be really, really gross.

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by Steve Hall    Jul- 9-10    
Topic: Cause



'Upskirt' Ad Causes Controversy For Condo Complex

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Up in Calgary there's a bit of a furor over a billboard campaign promoting a new condo complex. At issue is the image and copy which consists of an almost upskirt shot of a woman in a miniskirt along with the words, "Look up... Way up."

The condo complex is being developed by ProCura which just finished restoring a sufragette home currently being used as a sales office for the new condo complex. Upon completion of the condo complex, ProCura has promised to turn the home into a community center for women's groups and a museum for the Famous 5, a group of Alberta women who fought for women's rights.

So...the complaint centers upon the disconnect between the work ProCura will do for women's groups and the campaign which some have labeled offensive.

28-year-old web designer Travis Gertz doesn't like the campaign. "My wife Rachel and I just got back from eight months travelling through the United States," he says. "The first thing I see when I get home is this offensive ad; it makes you embarrassed to be a Calgarian."

Thoughts?

by Steve Hall    Jul- 8-10    
Topic: Cause, Opinion, Poster, Racy



Jenna Dewan Tatum Skinned to Save Reptiles

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Thank God we have animals in this world. Otherwise, PETA would have nothing to do! Whether it's elephants, baby seals, foxes or whatever. If there's an animal involved, PETA is there. This time, it's all about snakes and the cause group has tapped Jenna Dewan Tatum to save the plight of snakes, lizards, alligators, crocodiles and anything else with a skin.

To aid the save-the-skinned-reptile effort, Tatum was painted to look like a reptile herself.

by Steve Hall    Jul- 7-10    
Topic: Cause



Nothing Like A Bullet to the Head to Deliver a Message

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Well now. Here's a jarring tidbit for a holiday week. Nothing like a bullet to the head to ruin a peaceful Cape Cod vacation. So we've all heard the oft-spoken phrase "friends don't let friends drink and drive." This Indonesian effort from Advance Advertising doesn't waste time preaching. It jumps right to the forgone conclusion of that phrase and puts a gun to the head of passengers as they leave an alcohol-fueled party.

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by Steve Hall    Jul- 7-10    
Topic: Cause