An Ad Giants sponsored adventure.

Many of us suspected this all along, that some “scientific studies” are actually marketing efforts. Perhaps you had that feeling after recent efforts by the Indoor Tanning Association made a case contradicting most of what you’ve heard in the past 20 years.

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The other day I received a direct-mail solicitation urging me to buy an extended warranty from the mass electronics retailer from whom I unluckily bought an expensive TV a few years ago. What makes that interesting, at least to me, is that I am probably the last person on this big blue ball who would actually buy that warranty. And the company knew that, (so the chart here of their stock price doesn’t surprise me.)

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The New York Times reports on some controversy in the methods of credit reporting service freecreditreport.com. You can’t escape the commercials, (70 million dollars buys a lot of eyeballs) but just in case some readers don’t have a TV, here you go. Most people seem to like the spots, but some consumers were either unaware that they signed up for a monthly fee or if they were aware, the forgot to cancel. A certain Tom Waits song comes to mind.

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I believe the context here is that these fellows are displeased with the fuel efficiency of the car.

Beloved Ad Giants Executive Producer Louise Messina, a legend in the world of commercial music production, passed away suddenly Thursday morning of an apparent heart attack. She died while doing what she loved most. She was working, her laptop open and the phone by her side. An indomitable, talented, dramatic, amusing and always engaging force of nature, Louise was an inspiration to artists, composers, voice talents, ad agency people and anyone lucky enough to be called her friend. The results of her work in helping us build the next level of Ad Giants products and services will remind us daily of her commitment, initiative and determination.

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Wordlab brings us the latest list of words to wear out their cultural welcome, courtesy of Lake Superior State University, where you can check out this year’s banished list. Feel free to submit a few for next year.

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Templates, presets, defaults, they’re all useful tools for improving efficiency. In fact, in the Ad Giants One System, templates are key elements that allow clients to customize and localize their advertising quickly and easily.

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On days with headlines like this, spots like this one for a luxury car probably seem a little out of touch for some in the audience. But with some minor modifications such as a re-script and some new cutaways, I think it could be updated for the economic climate of the moment. Tempting, isn’t it?

I saw this around the house, and when I was through laughing, I thought about training, documentation, interfaces and the various elements that take us from neophytes to functional users.

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Many administrations ago in the early glory days of SNL there was a skit called “New Dad,” an insurance policy that replaced an expired dad with a new one. I was reminded of that old skit when I surfed upon the Dial A Hubby franchise in the UK.

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