In commercials, funny is money. So is sex. So when combined, sexually suggestive, funny commercials are usually bank. And the more sophomoric the humor, the more I usually like them. But these new spots for Tums antacid are just wrong — specifically these three: Inappropriately suggestive is funny when it makes sense, and is relevant [...]
Sex Sells: Just Ask Him.
In advertising, it’s the gospel truth: Sex sells. You’ve heard it a million times. So many times it’s gotta be true, right? Hell, even the Devil himself says it’s true in our second of seven Responsible Marketing web shorts, here: View on YouTube in HD Why not believe it? You just heard it from the [...]
Is Burger King’s “Square Butts” ad responsible?
Last night, a friend from high school sent me this question via Facebook: Can you explain why ANYONE (let alone Burger King) would think it a good idea to adapt “I like Big Butts” to market a children’s meal? Here’s the ad in question: Extended version This is one of the classic Responsible Marketing questions [...]
Bite-sized Friday: The Virgin Edition
No, this isn’t the first Bite-sized Friday—just the first one since October. Bite-sized Fridays are essentially mini-posts, thematically linked. And away we go: Virgin Atlantic 25th anniversary ad Virgin Atlantic’s 25th Anniversary ad, 25 Years, Still Red Hot has been getting a lot of attention lately, but positive and negative. Some think it’s sexist, others [...]
10 of my favorite lists from 2008
Happy New Year! I know. I’ve ranted about lists before, but to start off 2009, one of my resolutions is to lighten up (a little) about lists. Here’s a list of 10 of my favorite lists from last year, in no particular order: The 10 most admired companies of 2008 Fortune Magazine 50 ideas on [...]
Responsible or not? Shockvertising
Trendhunter did my homework for me today and compiled a four minute collection of shocking ads that will leave you asking the question, “How far is too far?” You won’t want to view this in front of small children or your boss. It features fake lesbians, phony murder scenes, employees getting punched in the face [...]
Is PETA’s use of nudity going too far?
Whether you support their cause or not, it’s impossible to ignore PETA. Their undercover investigations and campaigns are orchestrated across all media—advertising, PR, events, and social media are all a part of the mix—and most are integrated quite well. The way they get attention is always controversial, and they’ve taken on some of the titans [...]
Responsible or not? Biker Babe Marketing
As marketers, we’re always looking for creative ways to break through. Biker Babe Marketing is doing just that by putting babes on Harleys, then having them drive around with their client’s ads on signs attached to their bikes. Hey, sex sells and this surely has people talking. But since the medium is the message, it’s [...]
OMFG: Responsible or not?
For the uninitiated: OMG = “Oh my God.” OMFG = The same, plus a strategically placed F-bomb. First time I saw these ads, I wanted to write about it here, but I couldn’t seem to find the CW’s justification for taking “OMG,”—a phrase that already puts some people on edge—and plusing it with the “F” [...]
Is MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation going too far?
I am one of the few people that saw the very first video on MTV, “Video Killed the Radio Star.” I loved the channel, and I’d watch Mark Goodman and Nena Blackwood for hours on end. I’m still a big music fan (I love last.fm), but I have to admit, I stopped watching MTV when [...]
Responsible or not? Unilever
I’ve mentioned Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty that encourages self esteem for young girls. It’s smart, it zags when everyone else is zigging, and as the father of young daughter it makes me want to stand up and cheer. But of course, Responsible Marketing is never black and white. Dove’s parent company, Unilever, has been [...]
“You’re not good enough.” Now, sign here.
Sad, but true. So much of marketing is about creating fear, uncertainty and doubt (or F.U.D.). Why? Because it often works. Do we have to make our customers feel like they aren’t good enough? It seem like an impossible task, doesn’t it? Our role as marketers is to find needs and fill ‘em. To do [...]
Responsible or not? Using sex to sell recyling
Eko-Kom wants to encourage recycling. And sex sells. So why not use sex to sell recycling? Nothing indecent here, but the sexual overtones aren’t muted, either. So what do you think? Responsible Marketing or not? Comment below to weigh in. . . . Inspiration for this post came from @adrants on Twitter
- Awards for sale: Not a rewarding experience July 22, 2008
- The door to door salesman from hell October 23, 2008
-
Personnel Concepts’ marketing:
Out of compliance? October 8, 2008 - Princeton Premier: Bad marketing or vanity scam? November 13, 2008
- Let’s fight vanity scams together August 21, 2008
- The new phone books are here! Oh, goody. October 22, 2008
- How can business help the poor? September 25, 2008
-
Your name + your picture = LinkedIn ad
January 31, 2012
-
It worked with Darth Vader. Why not Ferris Bueller?
January 30, 2012
-
Responsible Marketing LinkedIn group is heating up
November 28, 2011
-
How, when and where we share on the web
November 4, 2011
-
Tums commercials gone wrong
September 14, 2011
-
12 examples of marketers that have exploited 9/11
September 10, 2011
-
So tasty: Schweddy Balls Ice Cream
September 7, 2011
-
guest1: I don't even own a company or have my own busines...
-
Stephanie DeWitt: Great Post Patrick- thanks for letting us know! I ...
-
Ron Rael: What a great marketing and branding technique for ...
-
Polly: Thankk you sooo soo much for sharing, I just got...
-
numero uno: Besides it's cheaper to order your own =D http:...
-
numero uno: Why buy their plaque when I can get my own custom ...
-
C2kazg: Get real. If I let one of these pushy reps who ref...
Categories
Archives
blogroll
- AdFreak
- AdGoodness
- Ads of the World
- Adverlicious
- Blog Catalog
- Canadian University Marketing
- Chris Brogan
- CK’s Blog
- Cool Rules Pronto
- Currency Marketing Blog
- Design & Conquer
- DimBulb
- Freaking Marketing
- Girvin Strategic Brand Design
- Greenormal
- Logic + Emotion
- Make the Logo Bigger
- Marketing Green
- Marketing Minute
- Marketing Pilgrim
- Motherhood is the New MBA
- Osocio
- Outsource Marketing
- Parents for Ethical Marketing
- Park Howell
- Principled Profit
- Shel Holtz
- Vitamin IMC
- WhatsNextBlog






