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Mind Control

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advertising

Do We Really Want Better Ads?

MTV Networks is having its upfronts today, where it pitches its new season to advertisers. The network is also trying to sell sponsors on its "podbusting" techniques—i.e., making commercials that are like mini-shows in themselves. The theory, of course, is that making ads more like regular programs will defeat the almighty Tivo, with content so compelling that you cannot help but watch, slack-jawed, as the hypnotic 60-second Mountain Dew Bourne Ultimatum spinoff flickers before your eyes. They're so entertaining! Way better than boring old regular commercials. In one sense, this is corporate America trying to give us what we want. But do we really want better ads? More »

11:05 AM on Thu May 8 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
1,891 views, 19 comments

Latest by SigSauer: Yeah, ads that look link content are terrible. [www.oddpodzblog.com] more »

branded entertainment

TV Shows Themselves Slowly Becoming Ads

Cisco Systems is the main sponsor for the History Channel show "Modern Marvels," but being the main sponsor wasn't enough. Now, Cisco is actually having themselves magically inserted into old episodes of the show, with just a little bit of new footage and some re-editing. The result is a three-minute "mini-documentary" in which Cisco execs talk about the show's topic, which will be "seamlessly woven in" to the show's commercial breaks. Um, scary! Next thing we know, the Gorton's Fisherman will be rescuing Gilligan on Nick At Nite. Could this ultimately lead to our dead heroes having their memories dredged up just to sell useless dreck? Oh, too late. [TVWeek, History.com]

1:15 PM on Mon Mar 17 2008
By Hamilton Nolan
626 views, 21 comments

Latest by drugman: I think everyone stopped watching Heroes because they went broke trying to buy every model in the Nissan family. [heroeswiki.com] more »