Category — TV Commercials

Arrested Development (AD) was considered by many people to have been one of the greatest television series of all time. It won countless awards and was acclaimed by just about every critic on Earth, and yet, it was canceled after only 3 short seasons. What happened?

Essentially, Fox dropped the ball. They had a potential hit and they failed to properly promote it. It was a classic example of poor marketing. Hopefully, future executives will learn from Fox’s epic mishandling of the Arrested Development situation.

What they did wrong:
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Popularity: 3% [?]

A sarcastic spoof on the Intel ad below

If you think the era of political correctness has taught advertisers to create campaigns that are more sensitive and intelligent, think again. They are still quite happy to play into fears and stereotypes associated with race. While political ads are notoriously racist – even in the current presidential election – ads promoting everything from cars to office equipment to breakfast cereal have been laced with negative overtones. And while some ads are sneakily suggestive, others are almost unbelievably shameless. Here’s a look at some of the most racist commercials and advertisements in recent years, along with some vintage clips that still shock people with their racist messages.

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Popularity: 19% [?]

From notorious campaigns at Victoria’s Secret to consistently gratuitous GoDaddy gems to the new orgy of Axe, the advertising industry loves to push the buttons of the FCC to see just how much superfluous sex and inappropriate T&A it can bless us mere mortals with. Following are the 25 sexiest banned ads you won’t see on TV. Internet, we love you.

1. These days we’re so used to Victoria’s Secret ads being the right of every red-blooded male it’s easy to forget was a shock the original 2004 holiday campaign was. Well, maybe a shock for someone. For guys it was Christmas come early.

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Popularity: 39% [?]

So did you ever think you’d see the day when a real robot was the primary character in a commercial? Kincho’s Preshower UV insect repellent/sunscreen spray commercial gets a thumbs up for novelty. But the real question is whether the novelty of having a robot actress outweighs the awkwardness of relating to an obviously inanimate object.

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Have Apple lost it?

Now, admittedly, I was sent this link as being the official iPhone 3g ad that is airing in the USA. I don’t live in the USA so I have to take their word for it. But, that said, if this is the best they can do … then that is sad.
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Popularity: 2% [?]

Roboboy is one of those rare adverts that you watch because it is so good, not because you have the slightest interest in what it is intended to sell. This advert is beautifully directed, has a touching storyline, and high production values. It’s better made than the majority of shows on tv right now.
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Popularity: 2% [?]

This commercial from Chase is one of my favorites from a variety of angles.

First, there’s a hidden “easter egg” at the very beginning of the commercial. If you look closely, 007 is spelled out in the background during the first 3 seconds. It’s not easy to pick out, and the average person won’t discover this on the first view. But the two tires make up the 00 and the 7 is made of 2 pieces of wood that come together at an angle.

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Sometimes the point of an ad just stumps me. I can appreciate the effects, the direction, the ideas even, but am left wondering what the ad was trying to sell.

This ad struck me like that. If it wasn’t for the final frame showing the product we would be left clueless as to what impression Sony were trying to leave us with.
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Popularity: 2% [?]

Think chocolate and I imagine your first impressions are not Phil Collins. I would guess that gorillas do not feature heavily either. Unless you have seen this advert.
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Popularity: 2% [?]

Let’s say you’re a marketing executive for a billion dollar company and an intern approaches you with an idea. She says, “I have the perfect commercial concept for our product. Let’s put a few kids together and have them dance with their backpacks.” You’d probably think the intern was crazy.

Or, back to reality, you might think I’m crazy for naming this one of the best TV commercials ever, but I really think it is. Here’s why.

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Popularity: 3% [?]