Banned Bud Light ad:

Banned Rolling Rock ad:

Here’s one that should have been banned, for totally seperate reasons:

Wavy Lay’s:

Finally, here is a list of advertisers who are approved heading into Sunday’s big game.  Hopefully there are some good ones in there.

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CBS Standards and Practices has reviewed your proposed Super Bowl ad and concluded that the creative is not within the Network’s Broadcast Standards for Super Bowl Sunday.

Original Post:

It wouldn’t be Super Bowl season without debate over potentially controversial commercials. While the ad below is not for a food company, but rather for the gay men’s dating site ManCrunch, I thought it worthy of writing about because the pinnacle moment comes when the two featured men in the commercial have their hands brush up against each other while reaching into a bowl of potato chips – leading to an impromptu, but passionate make-out session.

Ah, hook-ups driven by food, you are an o-so-common occurrence. I mean seriously, how many times in your life have you awkwardly brushed hands with a date while reaching into a popcorn bag at a movie? Or accidentally started eating the same piece of spaghetti from opposite ends when sharing a plate of pasta (that happens in real life, not just Lady & The Tramp, right?)

The ad has not yet been formally accepted or rejected, but  ManCrunch’s PR agency has informed me that:

the site’s executives now believe CBS is intentionally postponing a final call on whether they will air the ad because they are worried about a backlash from gay and lesbian advocacy groups if they reject it.

It sounds to me like maybe ManCrunch is fishing for a story – if CBS was worried about backlash from gay and lesbian groups, wouldn’t they just accept the ad? If they are considering rejecting it, then they must have some level of concern about “pro-family” or anti-gay groups complaining or criticizing CBS if they were to air it.

So what do you think readers, should CBS reject this ad? Or is it ridiculous that they would even consider doing so?

And what do you think of ManCrunch’s intentions with this ad? Are they seriously interested in forking over the cash for this commercial to air, or are they just trying to stoke some controversy where it doesn’t exist in order to get some “buzz” online?

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The title this video has been given on YouTube is “Racist KFC Advertisement?” It’s generated a little bit of coverage so far, and most people seem to be suggesting that the ad is, in fact, racist.  In the title of its post, BuzzFeed is calling it “racist”, while Make the Logo Bigger asks  “Another racist KFC ad?”  MediaBistro’s AgencySpy doesn’t use the actual word racist, but the language used in framing up its blog post strongly suggests they feel that way as well.

So is the ad racist? Or is that just the way we American’s view it? That’s what one commenter at Buzzfeed suggests:

I don’t think the stereotype of black people loving fried chicken is popular anywhere but the USA, this ad would be pretty harmless in another country

On AgencySpy, another commentator named “Nancy” seems to agree with this sentiment, noting:

This is only racist when viewed through the prism of americans and their limited view of cultures and the world…..awkward situation is : Cricket World Cup took place in the west indes recently, of course Australian fan, lone among the jubilant west indian fans…tries to make friends …so what he offers chicken…in the west indes, we don’t survive on daily ingest of junk food, it is just eaten during lively, fun times like that

While a commenter named “Juan” adds:

The ad is meant to be satire, not demeaning, it could be misperceived as a racial stereotype, but its not aimed at the super sensitive U.S market with our out of control “political correctness” and our pretense at racial equality

However, in the original blog post, Agency Spy notes the clear racial undertones of a white guy describing himself as being in an “awkward situation just because he’s  stuck in a crowd of happy, cheering black people.” Meanwhile, other commenters call the ad “truly embarassing” and one asks, “Is KFC’s agency headed by Strom Thurmond?”

Haven’t heard of this commercial yet? Well lest you think this is going unnoticed, it’s the #18 most viewed video this month for the Australian version of YouTube and has received over 2,300 comments.

What do you think So Good readers? Racist? Unfortunate idea for an ad? Misinterpreted by American’s?

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Carl’s Jr. is leveraging Kim Kardashian beyond just this one ad though, enlisting her to invite people from around the country to join her for a “Salad Lunch Date.”

The lunch date will take place live, via the Carl’s Jr. Facebook page, and Kim has even extended a “personal” video invitation which you can find on YouTube:

So this raises the inevitable question, who is going to be joining her for this lunch date?

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Youngish Upstart Paul with his Iron Boot Smoker

What’s interesting is how I found it. I opened up my fantasy sports page and was met with with these GIANT banner adds on the left and right side of my screen. On the left is Lee Ann, and on the right we meet Myron, who is covered in BBQ sauce and apparently wiping more sauce all over his silken snow white beard. It is truly a graphic shot. Lee Ann is carrying an axe and wearing a bowling shirt. I would be terrified to meet either of them in a darkened alley, which is apparently TLC’s aim with this show.

If you watch the video, you’ll meet the contestants. I call them contestants because they’re playing for money and prestige, baby. Competitor Tuffy tells us why he’s not afraid of his fellow Pitmasters.

I’ve been cussed out by French chefs. Think I’m afraid of a bunch of yokels standing around the hibachi?

This is classic on two levels. He makes fun of hicks (a seemingly decent portion of his audience) and champions (sort of) the French (alienating another key portion of his audience).  Is Tuffy trying too hard to be the reality TV villain here?

I’m not against good barbeque being highlighted by a television show, I’m just sick of television’s “Tough Guy Reality Show” presentations.  The tattoo shows are enough, thanks.  Now you have to name a show “Pawn Stars” and advertise it like they’re a biker gang?  Wasn’t there already a reality show about bike workshops?  What?!   There have already been three of those?!

I look forward to one year later, when Food Network has a show called “Smoked” hosted by Guy Fieri, and Bravo has a show called “Sauce Kingdom” hosted by George Foreman and some model lady, both featuring BBQ competitions.  Watching this stuff would be murder.  I enjoy eating barbeque.  I respect the process as well.  Do I need to watch an aggro-fest reality show where people cook for money to get my fill of barbeque?  No.

I have a short message for reality television: Nobody likes you.  Go eat worms.

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#5: Frankenstein for Orange Shasta

#3: Frankenstein for Pepsi/Doritos

Honorable Mention: Elvira for Coors Light.

Have a safe weekend, and take it easy on the candy – especially the stuff at the bottom of the bag.

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So this is a new one to me. A burger with butter on it? Hmmmm. I know places that butter, or sometimes even heavily butter the buns they put their burgers on, but putting a big old slab of butter directly onto a burger? Wow. I stumbled across these butter burgers when reading a post on Andrew Sullivan’s blog, featuring a new ad for Miller High Life that prominently features this high-fat treat.

That looks awful and awesomely appealing at the same time. Apparently butter burgers are a Wisconsin favorite, and have been made famous by a place called Culver’s. Check out a review of these burgers from Would I Buy It Again?

Anyone tried one of these bad boys?

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As reported back in January, due to financial concerns, the NBA is allowing courtside liquor advertising for the first time since 1991.  This was hardly shocking news considering how much NBA teams will be going into the red next season, and their subsequent need to generate revenue.  What is interesting here is some of the partnerships that have formed between booze companies and teams. The Miami Heat has deals with Bacardi, Grey Goose, and Dewar’s (covering the young, midde-aged, and old demos).  Also, the Los Angeles Lakers just signed the first exclusive deal with 1800 Silver tequila.  (Apparently, Lakers fans drink more tequila than other booze.)  Regardless, it will be interesting to see the affect of every arena being wallpapered with liquor ads as well as which new partnerships form – Toronto Raptors/Canadian Club?  Atlanta Hawks/Southern Comfort?  New York Knicks/Aristocrat Vodka?

Which teams/brands make the most sense to you?

H/t to Media Post for the pict.

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After a bit of a hiatus while Phelps was serving his suspension, Subway has finally put the swimming superstar back on the air.  For hidden message seeking stoners and freedom lovers everywhere, the ad could be viewed as either a subtle dig at Kellogg’s and/or nod of approval toward Phelp’s activities.  The new ad pairs Phelps with will-he-just-vanish-off-the-face-of-the-earth-already Subway icon Jared Fogle, and features Sly and the Family Stone’s “Thank You.”  The name of the ad? “Be Yourself.” That’s right Phelps, you should be be yourself! Toke up if you want!

Dan Neil, writing for the Los Angeles Times, examines the (lack of) endorsement fallout from the Phelps story and notes:

To the extent that endorsement opportunities are a rough metric of how well someone in public life is liked, admired, respected, the bong-heard-round-the-world scandal might as well never have happened. With the benefit of hindsight, Kellogg execs might well be kicking themselves.

With Phelps back on the air for Subway and still challenging world records in recent swim tournaments, it’s clear that American’s are happy to have him back, and their collective shrug in response to his pot use shows just how outside the mainstream Kellogg’s is.

Welcome back Michael Phelps, and way to go Subway. I knew there was a reason I worked for one of your franchises for 4 years.

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Spotted on AdGabber.

Find more videos like this on AdGabber

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Via AdRants.

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Check out the actual ads below:

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Yes, Burger King has a new sandwich called the “Super Seven Incher.”  When I say “hot”, “meaty” and “7 inches” what do you think of? Well you aren’t alone.  So did the ad minds behind this new campaign, who apparently just couldn’t resist the idea/imagery of a woman giving a blow job to a giant 7-inch hunk of meat.  Just in case you couldn’t pick up on the subtlety of the idea, they decided to hit you over the head with it.  Other blogs, such as Gawker, have already taken notice:

Just look at all that piping hot beef laden with creamy mayo aligned perfectly with the open mouth of a wide-eyed blonde

Add in the fact that the woman has make-up and facial expressions which pretty much resemble that of a blow-up doll.  Of course her mouth is agape, which serves to alleviate any doubt someone might have that maybe, just MAYBE they aren’t making a blow-job reference.  Oh, and just to be sure, the word BLOW is prominently featured.   The description of the product is only slightly less sexual:

Fill your desire for something long, juicy and flame-grilled with the NEW BK SUPER SEVEN INCHER

When it comes to blatantly using sexual innuendo in your advertising, this is the print ad equivalent of the “Two Girls, One Sub” video that Quizno’s may or may not have been behind.  Burger King’s ad agency, Crispin, Porter + Bogusky is known for edgy, attention grabbing ads. When they succeed they soar, but when they flop, they usually crash and burn, generating tons of backlash and negative attention.  They don’t shy away from controversy, and they seem eager and ready to use sexual innuendo whenever possible.  However, CP+B is focused on BK’s domestic marketing.  Copyranter has updated his original post to say that CP+B is NOT responsible for this ad.   It appears the ad is running outside of the United States – Fast Food News says it’s a new menu item in Singapore area restaurants, while also remarking:

We’ve seen more suggestive advertising, to be sure, but this one just seems to be poorly executed AND in bad taste (and probably tastes bad, too).

I’m with Fast Food News on this one. Not sure why the people who designed this ad thought it would “work.”  Sure, it’s getting attention, but all negative. Even if it helps sell the sandwich in Singapore, it may provoke a backlash in the United States. Every time you get press for one of these ads, an offended mother is that much less likely to take her kids to Burger King.

On a total side note, this ad campaign does hilariously match-up with Burger King’s “It Just Tastes Better” slogan.

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To see the contrast in the marketing technique utilized to shape the appeal of the BK King, take a look at this 1978 Burger King commercial, which features “The Magic Burger King” performing all sorts of tricks for an audience of captivated children:

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