MarketingInsideOut.com

Is this the other side of the story, or a tale of what happens when an ad becomes so ubiquitous that it drives people over the edge?

While not a real commercial, this funny spoof of a ubiquitous TV ad provides a possible answer to the question of who that crazy man on TV is talking to. I can’t tell you the company without ruining the joke, so just watch.

Warning: If there’s a child nearby, beware…there’s some major league swearing in this video.

Very creative and funny ‘Behind the Music’-style parody for Finnish painkillers by agency Bob Helsinki.

Sony Pictures is selling a high-pitched ringtone that only the young can hear as a way to promote The Messengers — the film about a teen who hears voices that her parents can’t.

The ultrasonic technology, originally developed in Europe by a security company (and dubbed the ‘Mosquito’ because the sound resembles that of a buzzing insect) to chase loitering teens away from malls, has been promoted the last several months as an adult-proof ringtone inaudible to people over 25.

Used mainly by teens in places where cellphone use is forbidden (like in class), the high pitched tone capitalizes on the phenomenon that adults lose some of their high-frequency hearing as they enter early middle age.

When I played the ringtone it drove my kids and dog nuts, but all I heard was a slight buzz and had a weird pressure sensation in my ears. I certainly can’t hear the obviously annoying tone, but…early middle age??? Screw that, I prefer to chalk it up to too many concerts and loud music over the years.

How’s your high frequency hearing? Listen for yourself.

YouTube is planning an online countdown to 2007 through a partnership with Warner Music Group that will include highlighting new videos every hour on Dec. 31 from artists across the globe. Chevrolet is the official sponsor of the New Year’s Eve Countdown.

From AdWeek:

During the countdown, video footage from a variety of New Year’s Eve concerts featuring Warner Artists will be posted on the site’s home page, in some cases within minutes of the completion of select live performances that will be recorded on mobile phones. Featured artists will include The Flaming Lips and the Goo Goo Dolls performing in Los Angeles and My Chemical Romance from New York’s Times Square, among others.

YouTube also plans to post special New Year’s-related video messages from several of the site’s well-known contributors on its home page.

The site will also launch an official New Year’s Eve channel that will house various comedy skits and musical performances.

Apparently someone besides Bush reads newspapers.

According to an article in Media Post, The media habits of affluent “empty nesters” are led by newspapers and the internet, according to Bob Jordan, president of International Demographics, Inc.

Based on information in a new report from The Media Audit, more than 27 percent spend an hour or more each day reading a newspaper (index 159) and 38.7 percent spend 430 minutes or more each week on the Internet (index 107). Radio, television and direct mail all index at less than 100 with the affluent empty nesters.

Apple’s “I’m a Mac” campaign is a great advertising campaign.

The production style is simple and elegant and the message comes through loud and clear, so it’s not the least bit surprising that many have copied the approach.

From the jejune, lame and idoitic, for the Sony Vaio where you pinch and PC farts, Mac says “hey” and Vaio giggles to the two examples below — all of which lack the class of the original.

From Bankerspank.com hyping the advantages of credit unions over banks:

To the totally stupid fat chick vs slut promo from Wii:

Come on people. If you are going to do bad crap, at least be original and come up with your own idea.

So you come in to work at P&G one morning and you’re given your assigment for the day. You are to put on a toilet costume and go stand in Times Square and encourage people to use the Charmin bathroom.

OK… so they probably hired actors instead of using employees (imagine including “I was a Toilet in Times Square” on a resume). But more and more advertisers are increasingly turning to on-the-ground marketing stunts to capture the attention of consumers.

2007 is expected by many, to be the year of mobile. So of course mobile advertising is expected to surge as a result.

Thus far the amount of money spent on advertising on mobile phones pales in comparison with other advertising avenues, but it has been growing rapidly. In 2005, advertisers spent $45 million, around $150 million this year, and according to Ovum Research will reach $1.3 billion by 2010.

According to a story in New York Times, Verizon wireless intends to seize the opportunity and itself become an ad medium.

Beginning early next year, Verizon Wireless will allow placement of banner advertisements on news, weather, sports and other Internet sites that users visit and display on their mobile phones, company executives said.

So now we can be distracted not just by calls, text, games and the mobile web, but also by banner advertising.

I received this by email today. I have no idea who created it, but it’s so true.

Happy Holidays to all the Moms out there.

Subject: Mom Resume
MOM – JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION : Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION : Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES : The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the Next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE : None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION : Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS : While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

Pretty cool guerrilla marketing idea.

Hat tip to Adverbox>