04/11/07
1,037
10

By Doree Shafrir

Comment by PocketWizard: @lorem_ipsum: ...a bottle of bleach plus a bottle of muscle relaxers and a bottle of embalming fluid. more » | Other threads

  • advertising

    Times Square: Hub of Art, Reliever of Solitude

    In a New York Times article about the city of Sao Paulo's decision to do away with outdoor advertising, our hearts leapt at the sentiment predicting this would make Sao Paulo "like New York without Times Square." Of course, the sentiment came from an ad man, complaining about "a diminishing of urban life" in ad-free city. Still, only 1 of 46 city councilors voted against the ad-killing measure:
    "I think this city is going to become a sadder, duller place," said Dalton Silvano, who cast the sole dissenting vote and is in the advertising business. "Advertising is both an art form and, when you're in your car or alone on foot, a form of entertainment that helps relieve solitude and boredom."
    We sincerely wish we had a staff artist who could create one of those utopian architectural renderings that might illustrate New York without the giant billboards of Times Square, or even better, without Times Square entirely. It doesn't have to be replaced by a bucolic greenspace or outdoor market or strolling plaza or other such hippie crap. And Times Square "relieves solitude" quite well already, even without the animated Applebee's billboard. More »
    12/12/06
    1,778
    0

    By Chris Mohney
  • toilets

    Charmin = Cuddly Soft. 'NYT' = Rexy

    We have to give Charmin's marketing dept their propers. Their ads — the ones with the bears merrily traipsing off to shit in the woods — have always been our favorite because they link toilet paper to its actual purpose, whereas all the other TP companies tend to show people rubbing cottony-soft squares against their (facial) cheeks and pouring blue water on them and stuff. If an alien that didn't poop came to our planet, it would have no clue what toilet paper was actually for if it wasn't for Charmin. And today, we learn from the Times that they're engaging a kind of sweet promotional stunt: intalling a 20-seat temporary lavatory in Times Square, just in time for the onslaught of Pumpkin Spice Latte-full holiday shopper tourists. Way to go, Charmin! More »
    11/21/06
    164
    6

    By Emily Gould

    Comment by Polymath: Charmin turned Bar Code into public bathrooms? Didn't they know it was a shit hole to begin with? more » | Other threads

  • the new guy

    The New Guy: Times Square

    A recent transplant to the city, Dashiell is eager to become a "real New Yorker," so he's asking other New Yorkers to help him discover all the classic New York City locations. More »
    11/17/06
    859
    28

    By Dashiell Bennett

    Comment by cdmunch: There used to be a great hustler bar around there called Cats where the kids would dance on the tables... more » | Other threads

  • reuters

    Virtual Ads Follow Virtual Journalism into Second Life

    It was weird and off-putting enough when Reuters dispatched tech reporter Adam Pasick to establish a "bureau" in virtual world Second Life. But with the creation of church, of course, comes state — advertising is the bestest new thing in Second Life, which should complete the process of making that magical place just as tedious as the real world. In particular, agency Ad-Option recently built a virtual home for American Apparel, stuffed with scantily clad employees no doubt rolling around in cheap apartments. Now, they're putting together a facsimile of Times Square, set to open just in time for a re-creation of the New Year's Eve ball drop. And oh yes, there will be ads — big garish billboards of every description, for sale immediately to credulous buyers. Probably no room for the quarter-driven porn booths of yore. Can a virtual Meatpacking District be far behind? More »
    11/16/06
    1,004
    2

    By Chris Mohney

    Comment by raincoaster: I know one of the people involved in trying to convince people this is a great idea, and their strategy... more » | Other threads

  • new york post

    No, Not Gloating At All

    In case you haven't heard by now, the Post is #1! The Post is #1!. Because they are so humbled by the accomplishment, they simply can't stop thanking us New Yorkers, as you can see from a reader submitted photograph of Times Square. More »
    10/30/06
    73
    3

    By suki

    Comment by momo: Praise Geezus ... but when the hell did Murdoch get the now-must-be-named propagandatron???? more » | Other threads

  • advertising

    Love for Nick Denton Is Secret No Longer

    You remember the Times Square billboards that display secrets sent in by the confessionally minded? Too bad we didn't get a capture of this message actually on the billboard, but a tipster nevertheless caught its replay on the website accompanying the fine Secret deodorant ad campaign. Gawker Media's mandarin Nick Denton is no doubt pleased and titillated to know of his secret crush, regardless of the crusher's BO issues. More »
    07/19/06
    197
    5

    By Chris Mohney

    Comment by Simpatia: I guess we can exclude Jesse from the suspect list. more » | Other threads

  • advertising

    Procter & Gamble Ready for Your Stinky Secret

    When unveiling a new deodorant campaign, one couldn't ask for a better lead-in than a motherhchristing heat wave like we're enjoying in New York. Lifting an idea better used elsewhere, P&G's Secret deodorant now has two giant billboards on either end of Times Square that will run "secrets" sent in by users for all to see. Send 'em via web or text message, or via on-site kiosks that will supposedly be ready tomorrow. Of course there will be a steady stream of inane bullshit, but surely a few gems will make it past whatever poor sap is in charge of editing these things before posting. If you see a particularly good, sad, sly, or dirty "secret" on the billboard, send legible photos of same to tips@gawker.com. We'll post any bad/good enough to warrant same. More »
    07/17/06
    1,030
    15

    By Chris Mohney

    Comment by raincoaster: The Earl Grey and The Greek Giant are the same man. more » | Other threads

  • clips

    Kevin Federline Loves the Penny More Than He Loves His Wife, Baby, or Unborn Child

    If you were wondering, Kevin Federline feels "good about the penny," as he announced to a crowd of at least 25 people who gathered in Times Square yesterday. As captured by our brilliant intern-cum-videoslave Scott Kidder, the occasion was marked by inexplicable skywriting, a penny-encrusted truck, and spastic publicist control of the "crowd" (consisting mostly of depressed cameramen), and a post-promotional smoke. More »
    06/22/06
    401
    7

    By Jessica

    Comment by Worker #3116: Popozing! more » | Other threads