Totally Outrageous Advertising

Does it work? Or does it get the wrong kind of attention?

Nov 20, 2006

What do William Shatner's kidney stone, Britney Spears pregnancy test, and the Virgin Mary Grilled Cheese all have in common? They are all part of Goldenpalace.com.

But what do they have to do with the positioning and messaging of a casino? If you stretch it a loooong way, you can make the first two fit. But what about the Virgin Mary and gambling? I see no fit whatsoever.

I tuned into the TV tonight only to see the newest Target ad, in which an acrobat is planning to ride a whirling wheel (artistically played against the Target logo, one plus), for two days so that he can take 100 kids on the shopping spree of their lives. Wow, what does acrobatics have to do with Target, or shopping for that matter?

These companies are getting a great deal of attention for their outrageous schemes, but is it the kind of attention they want? If they just want to grab the limelight, they are doing a good job of it. But what about their ultimate corporate image?

Perhaps I am a purist, but I believe the best advertising creates an image related to what you are trying to sell. It should inform, instruct, and inspire.

Any and all comments are welcome!!!!!

technorati tags: william shatners kidney stone, virgin mary grilled cheese, britney spears pregnancy test, outrageous advertising, target, acrobatics in advertising, advertising, ads, marketing, goldenpalace.com, casino advertising, positioning, messaging