advertising

Hamilton Nolan · 02/06/14 09:09AM

The Olympics' corporate sponsors already have in place their PR and advertising plans in case of a terrorist attack. So, you know, not to worry.

Did Budweiser's Touching Super Bowl Ad Violate Military Regulations?

Adam Weinstein · 02/04/14 02:17PM

Budweiser was one of the consensus winners of Super Bowl XLVIII's ad spree, partly on the strength of this tribute to a soldier returning home. But the tear-jerker also might be a rule-breaker: It violated some sacred military edicts, and the beer-maker needed special permissions to pull it off.

Garbage Yogurts Face Off Over Which Is Less Garbagey

Hamilton Nolan · 01/20/14 02:57PM

The Yogurt Wars continue to descend to previously unimaginable depths of depravity. Now Yoplait is touting the fact that it is tastier than Chobani. Fine. Dog poop may be more toothsome than cow shit, but at least it has the decency not to crow about it.

New York Times Doesn’t Know Who Bought Strange Pro-Bloomberg Ad

J.K. Trotter · 01/15/14 02:01PM

Late last year, print readers of The New York Times discovered a full-page color ad, signed by a group called “Appreciative New Yorkers,” touting former mayor Michael Bloomberg’s policy achievements. “Thank you, Mayor Bloomberg and your administration, for all that you have done for New York City,” it read in large lettering. Who are these thankful New Yorkers with a spare $70,000 to spend on praising a politician? Not even the Times knows.

Study: Most Super Bowl Ads Are Futile

Hamilton Nolan · 01/06/14 10:14AM

The typical rant about Super Bowl ads goes, "They cost how much? Do those ads even sell anything? Hey, remember those 'Whassssupppp' ads?" First of all, stop saying "Wasssupp." Second of all, the "This is all a huge waste of money" position may be correct.

You Won't See This Atheist Billboard in Canada, But Fetus Pics Are OK

Adam Weinstein · 12/06/13 06:00PM

A Canadian pro-atheist nonprofit tried to get its ad campaign up on urban billboards, and the media conglomerate in charge of the billboards said no, which is kinda weird, since the conglomerate was cool with pro-life ads featuring fetus heads.

Americans Want Food That's "Natural," a Word That Means Nothing

Hamilton Nolan · 11/06/13 04:28PM

With the exception of the erosion of personal privacy and the growth of an ultra-powerful unaccountable economic elite over the course of several decades which we didn't notice because football was on, you can't put too much past Americans. Those Cocoa Puffs... are they natural? Don't try to fool us!

Hamilton Nolan · 10/17/13 03:24PM

For Sally Grimes, "chief innovation officer" at Hillshire Brands, her "innovation mantra is 'A.M.P.,' which stands for 'accelerating meat possibilities.'"

You People Inexplicably Love Subway's Advertising

Hamilton Nolan · 10/16/13 09:44AM

You, the ruminant-like American consumer, "chewing your cud" (Cheetos) on your voluminous reclining chair as you passively absorb advertising messages for processed food conglomerates: which fast food ad do you relate to the most? The fake healthy place. Huh.