Possibly the worst TV ad ever
I've seen it so many times now that I have to say something. It's possibly the worst, but definitely the most annoying, TV ad I've seen in a long, long time. It's for Yellow Book. It starts out with three idiots sitting in a room saying, "How are are we going to improve sales this quarter?" One of them suggests asking the 'Ad Guru' who happens to be washed out actor David Carradine, apparently still trying to grasp the last shred of Kung Fu-ness that he can. It derails into dialogue that goes like this:
David C. - The first path, Yellow Book.
Hack Actor 1 - Of course, Yellow Book! What about the internet?
David C. - The second path. Yellow Book .com.
Hack Actor 1 - What about those search engines?
David C. - The third path. Trust Yellow Book to put your ads on powerful search engines across the internet.
It then shows the three idiots dancing to a graph showing sales are off the charts over the next quarter.
So many things are wrong with this ad. First of all, "trust yellow book" is about the worst expression I would use in an ad. It's already begging for credibility and now you're asking me to trust that something will get done. Nuh-uh.
Finally, 'powerful search engines across the internet?' Are we all stupid or something? Can't they come up with something better than that?
David C. - The first path, Yellow Book.
Hack Actor 1 - Of course, Yellow Book! What about the internet?
David C. - The second path. Yellow Book .com.
Hack Actor 1 - What about those search engines?
David C. - The third path. Trust Yellow Book to put your ads on powerful search engines across the internet.
It then shows the three idiots dancing to a graph showing sales are off the charts over the next quarter.
So many things are wrong with this ad. First of all, "trust yellow book" is about the worst expression I would use in an ad. It's already begging for credibility and now you're asking me to trust that something will get done. Nuh-uh.
Finally, 'powerful search engines across the internet?' Are we all stupid or something? Can't they come up with something better than that?
posted by Rob Amberg at
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
3 Comments:
This is probably one of the most clever ads that has graced television sets in years.
The exquisite detail of the office, the drab, mood-showing wardrobes and the amazingly clever used of David Carradine should be praised, not insulted.
Had these men not discovered that Yellow Book could solve all of their business problems, they would no doubt be relegated to ho-hum tasks and fruitless research. Yellow Book, however, showed them the way. Powerful search engines? I would NEVER have figured out how to reach those. Using Kung Fu to convey a sense of eastern mystique? BEAUTIFUL.
The only real tragedy here is that you can't appreciate the unique, positive, and all together beautiful message that this ad displays: one of hope.
By
Anonymous, at Tuesday, January 22, 2008 11:31:00 AM
Rob,
I must say that I completely agree with you. This "lady" who posted above me is obviously one of the stand-ins for the three gentleman jumping around in the ad.
Never have I seen a more crass, unimaginative and lazy ad as the "Yellow Book" debacle.
This is an insult to myself and my unborn children.
By
Anonymous, at Tuesday, January 22, 2008 11:35:00 AM
it's funny the ads previous were pretty clever... not sure if they switched agencies or what... def made you remember the ad though – which ultimately is their goal.... and i'm pretty sure they can't say brands like Google or Yahoo! - which is what i think they mean when they place ads online for you. they should bring back that yellow book soda drinking hottie! have her dance at the end - on a pole or something!!
By
Anonymous, at Wednesday, January 23, 2008 8:00:00 AM
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