AD POLL

Readers, we need your help in deciding which of these ad campaigns is the scummiest. It's a tough decision to be sure - THEY'RE ALL such CONTENDERS (and they are all too real). So take your time until you've narrowed the field to the most LOW-DOWN, BOTTOM BARREL, UNREDEEMABLE, OUT & OUT SCUMMIEST! Then let us hear your winner.

Choices Are:

• THE OTHER FUND RAISER: Did you know that PBS-TV actively solicits corporate sponsors? An ad in Advertising Age June 15, 1998 says in part "...Once you get beyond the 'big 4' networks, only PBS delivers 99% household coverage...PBS provides a haven from the clutter and chaos. So our viewers are more likely to pay close attention to your message. We wouldn't want them to miss a spot!"
• HURDLES IN THE OLYMPICS: The Sydney 2000 Olympic Organizers have nixed the use of virtual advertising on its TV coverage, which superimposes advertising on background fences or walls. It's sort of like the blue field used in movies that is later filled in with special effects. In this case, the blue wall is the blank wall of a stadium that can broadcast different commercials each hour, even to the point of using alcohol and tobacco commercials for those TV station feeds to countries that permit their use. It's all about targeting the new TV audience and getting the most commercials into the coverage. Advertising Age
• WHAT'S UP DOC? The Learning Channel is learning something about ethics when they recently were forced to cancel their "documentary" An American History of Beer produced and paid for by Anheuser-Busch. This soul-searching cam about when The Wall Street Journal questioned whether the documentary was history or a commercial. Other critics of the show said that it would have further blurred the fast eroding line between ads and editorial content. (WSJ)
• SIGN MY YEARBOOK, PLEASE: 30 years ago, the yearbook publishing industry had 200 publishers to choose from. Today, the $500 million a year biz is down to 4 with Jostens doing about 1/2, Taylor Publishing (Dallas) doing 20% and 2 others doing the rest. Jostens advertises itself as "helping people celebrate life's important moments." A jury in federal court in Sherman, Texas this year had a different take on the company and slapped a $36 million anti- trust verdict on Jostens, saying they tried to hire away competitors sales reps and improperly offered low-ball prices , etc. In once case a $6,400 bid turned into a $34,000 bill on delivery! (WSJ)
• TAKE 2 AND CALL SUNBEAM IN THE MORNING: Staff members of the American Medical Association (the largest and most revered physician's group) agreed in August to place the 151 AMA seal of approval on Sunbeam products like humidifiers and blood pressure monitors in return for millions in royalties WITHOUT testing any of the products. The rank and file members, showing real stomach and backbone, said it would destroy their credibility. The board rescinded the contract, staff heads rolled, and in the coup de grace, Sunbeam sued and won $9.9 million in a settlement of the breach of contract case. (DMN) What a bloody mess!
• JEANS ARE FOR MINERS (OR MINORS?) Levis wasn't getting the young girl sales it wanted so...it became a sponsor of the Lilith Fair and bought a spread in Vogue featuring 'sellout' divas Sara McLaughlin and Liz Phair wearing Levis. Cause really now, who better knows what's cool for young teen girls than the OMNICOM GROUP'S TBWA CHIAT/DAY NEWS AD AGENCY? (WSJ)
• ALMIGHTY GOD PREFERS BRAND X: Want to sell to African Americans? Do like Revlon and use gospel music, implying, of course, that Revlon is on God's side. Or do like gospel performer and producer, Kirk Franklin, and become the national spokesman for Church's chicken. (WSJ) Personal note: The writing on the wall says they're going straight to hell for being sacrilegious!
• THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON TV: What time of day has more drug commercials? It has to be the nightly news at 5:30. Count 'em - almost half the commercials are for drugs. Is that why the media always touts new unproven drugs, and never mentions prescription drug deaths or alternative therapies for health? Well one thing's for sure: all the ads have the same 3-part message: 1. Feel bad? 2. Take drugs 3. Feel good! And in the end, isn't that the message we want to send teenagers?
• NICK AD NITE: I picked up a June/July '98 issue of Nickelodeon magazine for kids - Godzilla is on the cover. It's full of a wide range of articles that entertain and educate our kids while encouraging them in positive active behavior, right? Not on this planet. From page 1 on, it's all ads for crap: videos, back issues, sugary sweets, movie star press releases, etc., and promos for Viacom (the Corporate Art Overlord). I dare you to pick up a copy and find one redeeming page.
• KRAP FM: Want to know why radio stinks? It's because ad men and radio execs know that women do most of the serious buying in this country and are therefore, the preferred sex when it comes to radio formats and ad sales. Just ask any radio exec. (Sacramento Bee, Dan Vierria) and women LIKE: MOR music, women's talk shows, new country, toned down oldies, and alternative rock with Jewel, Morisette, etc. So what's playing in your town? MOR music, women's talk shows, new country, toned down oldies, and alternative rock with Jewel, Morisette....

NOTE: Many of the articles in this "Hard News" and "Art Surfin" were supplied by Musea's reporter-at-large, Scott Crow.

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