Fresh Fish!

To be fair, I haven't watched this video with the sound on so I'm not sure if it's in English or German, BUT a German ad agency put this "living" promotional poster up around Frankfurt to promote the brand Fisch Franke. People have expressed concern over the treatment of the fish, but the video shows they are being treated well. Either way, the ad wouldn't work if they had put toy fish or something in there instead.

If This Billboard Won't Catch Your Attention, Nothing Will

I came across this billboard on I Believe in Advertising and it's truly kind of disturbing. The billboard has the appearance of bleeding when it gets wet, urging New Zealanders to "drive to the conditions" to prevent fatal traffic accidents in the rain. I was afraid the billboard would be distracting and cause more accidents, but it appears it's been very effective. People always bash billboards as not a very effective form of advertising, but in this case it's definitely more effective than a print ad or another trite PSA. Even if something had been given to drivers so that they could take the message with them, like a promotional keychain or sticker for their car, I don't think it would have been as effective as seeing that boy's face.

It's Hammer Time

I stumbled upon this video here, and it's pretty comical-- just take a look at those custom pants! A flashmob invaded a trendy store in Los Angeles about a month ago to promote A&E's new reality show about MC Hammer. The contrast is perfect between the skinny jeans and the hammer pants. They're all wearing different shirts anda few even have on some sweet sunglasses-- overall, it's truly a flash mob at its finest.

True Life: I'm From Lawn Guyland

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This video is just too funny not to post-- Samantha Bee interviews some of Long Island's finest. I'm sure she left with a promotional shot glass or two for Jaegermeister and a custom wife beater for her husband, Jason Jones.

Oh, Microsoft.

Looks like Microsoft really knows how to use promotional stickers-- that computer looks just like a Mac with a covered up Apple logo! The video is also just so incredibly cheesetastic. Microsoft would have been better off giving out promotional mp3 players to promote Songsmith instead.

RIP Michael Jackson

I'm choosing to remember Michael Jackson not only by listening to some of his greatest hits, but also by watching one of my favorite episodes of one of my favorite shows-- The Simpsons. The clip above is from "Stark Raving Dad," the season three premiere, where Homer meets a man who believes he is Michael Jackson in a mental institution. Fun fact-- Jackson actually voiced the character in the episode, but did not sing. Anyway, here's to the King of Pop!

If anyone is looking to score Michael Jackson memorabilia, like promotional T-shirts from old concerts or custom gloves, I suggest moving quickly because the prices will skyrocket. If you're interested, you can read the official comments of SONY record executives on Jackson's untimely passing here.

Trojan's "Evolve"

I really like this Trojan commercial for the way it promotes condom use-- it doesn't lecture about the dangers of unprotected sex and the threat of STDs or pregnancy, so it's much more likely to be heard by its target audience. If Trojan continues this theme with the pigs, they'll really expand discreet promotional opportunities for itself (and avoid possible confusion with the USC mascot). I think putting promotional stickers of pigs in mens restrooms in bars would be a good step in expanding this campaign.