Wii Water-Drinking Contest Kills Woman, Microsoft Sponsors Story

microsoft_drinking_contextual.gif

We're not exactly sure what the Microsoft ad is or on this page but we are sure it's yet another really bad contextual ad placement. Once again, contextual advertising fails. This time in a story about a woman who dies during a water drinking contest for radio station KDND called "Hold your wee for Wii," a Microsoft ad appears in the form of a water cooler that fills a cup to the point of overflowing. Sweet. W love the smooth flow of a good contextual ad placement.

by Steve Hall    Jan-18-07    
Topic: Bad, Online



The Comcast 'Slowskys' Return to Slap Down DSL

slowsky_2_diner.jpg

The Comcast Slowskys are back for more really slow cable versus DSL fun. In four new spots created by Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, the turtle family revels in the slowness of DSL indicating to the rest of us Comcasts's cable is a much faster choice. Whether that's true or not is irrelevant. The spots are funny in that odd sort of way the originals were and thet steer clear of the boring speeds and feeds spots many other cable and DSL companies still cling to. You can view all four spots here, here, here and here.

by Steve Hall    Jan-18-07    
Topic: Campaigns, Commercials, Good



Melting Moms Lose Babies in Truth Campaign

melting_moms_image.jpg

We like ads that make a point. Sadly, so many don't and simply waste people's time or don't garner attention in the first place. This Truth campaign street ad (created by Crispin Porter + Bogusky...who, rumor tells us, just lost the account) consists of ice sculptures resembling pregnant women with plastic babies embedded in their bellies placed on street corners which, throughout the day, melt away leaving only the baby. A placard next to the sculptures reads, "Over 30 million (oops) children lose their moms to tobacco every day." Powerful. Of course one does have to question the effectiveness of an ad that takes hours to make its point. Oh wait, they've conveniently crammed the whole process into a :30. Smart thinking CP+B. The spots break January 22.

UPDATE: We received clarification in response to the account shift rumor that "Crispin has not lost the truth account and there is currently no agency review even planned. Also, Arnold Worldwide of Boston shares the account with CP+B."

by Steve Hall    Jan-18-07    
Topic: Good, Outdoor



Idiotic Medium 3,762: Airport Security Bin Advertising

security_bin_ads.jpg

And, we're back! Yes, my friends, the Disney vacation is now, sadly, in the rear view mirror but the rejuvenation that vacation provided was much needed. As we get back into gear here (not that we were ever out of gear with co-editor Angela providing you musings on a daily basis), how apropos it is we stumble across The Silly Girl's mention of airport security bin advertising. Just when you thought every available ad space has been taken (now there's a sentence that's been written here many, many times), ads will now appear on those gray bins you toss all your stuff in as you pass through airport security.

more »

by Steve Hall    Jan-18-07    
Topic: Worst



Enjoy what you've read? Subscribe to Adrants Daily and receive the daily contents of this site each day along with free whitepapers.