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AdFreak
by Molly McCall
Mon, October 29, 2007, 3:00 am PDT

Bob Dylan peddles for Cadillac Escalade. Erin Brockovich attacks a New Zealand appliance ad. And a fake presidential candidate outpolls some of the real ones. In posts on such provocative, surprising, or humorous events, AdFreak reports on the glossy world of advertising. The blogging arm of the industry publication AdWeek, the irreverent team of commercial-watchers behind this site produces multiple dispatches each day examining how marketing and publicity are being used, abused, or stylishly turned out. Other recent highlights examined the apocalyptic way the Chinese sell Viagra, how the "brainbox" behind "Girls Gone Wild" has used online ads to mount his public defense, and the alarming possibility of "aroma-emitting LCD displays" (sniff). When AdFreak launched in 2004, AdRants commented, "It's as if the chains of the editorial desk have been removed from the writers." The scribes remain as unfettered and exuberant today. Let the freak flag fly!
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Filed under: Blogs, Advertising, TV Commercials

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Ray Glasser: Videoholic
by Erik Gunther
Fri, September 07, 2007, 8:00 am PDT

Ray Glasser is obsessed. A collector and documentarian of the highest order, Mr. Glasser bought his first Betamax recorder in 1976. This early adopter of video recording then began taping television broadcasts with a feverish intensity that only other obsessives can comprehend.

We stumbled upon Ray's YouTube channel while browsing through old '80s commercials on the video sharing site (on our lunch break—of course). We watched his brief introductory video and immediately knew we had to speak with him about his collection and his decision to digitize his material for the masses.

When we caught up with Ray, he offered his thoughts on collecting, taping off the tube, and uploading his gems for all to enjoy...

Hey Ray, where does your collection stand these days?

It's hard to say. I haven't labeled and/or numbered tapes in about 6 or 8 months...probably close to 2,600 Beta tapes. I'm now collecting and saving movies on DVD.

And this started in 1976 when you bought that first Betamax?

Yes... in June. It was tailor-made for night workers like myself. I could timer-tape shows while I was at work and play them back anytime I wanted!

When did you first run across YouTube?

I think sometime around the beginning of this year—2007.

Has the response to your videos been gratifying?

More than gratifying. I'm lovin' every minute of YouTube! Read the full profile...

Filed under: Videos, Television, TV Commercials, Yahoo! Picks Profiles

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The 50 Greatest Commercials of the '80s
by Molly McCall
Tue, December 19, 2006, 3:00 am PST

Earlier this month, the editors at GIANT magazine released their picks for the 50 greatest ads of the Reagan decade. Browsing through the YouTube-culled list reminded us of so many classic pairings from the days of shoulder pads and hair feathers: Brooke and her Calvins. Wilford Brimely and his Quaker Oats. The unnerving Snuggle bear and his blankey. We also discovered some duos that we'd forgotten entirely, like Jason Alexander peddling the McDonald's McDLT, Jay Leno talking up Cool Ranch Doritos, and Madonna and Michael Jackson's contributions to the Pepsi ad machine. The list was such a hit that GIANT has now released a second roundup of rousing work from the era. So settle back and enjoy Macintosh's 1984 debut ad, the original "Where's the beef?" masterpiece, the sounds of the Clapper, and the bright dental work of the Doublemint twins.
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Filed under: Television, Advertising, The `80s, Pop Culture, TV Commercials

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Ridiculous Infomercial Review
by Jon Brooks
Wed, November 22, 2006, 3:00 am PST

The transparency of certain contemporary cons can wipe out any sympathy for their oh-so-gullible marks. If, at 4:00 a.m., you've ever reached for your phone and credit card only to wake up with the AromaTrim appetite suppressant on your doorstep, perhaps a refresher course in common sense is what you need. The Ridiculous Infomercial Review celebrates some of today's most obvious inducements to throw away hard-earned dough: the Dual Action Cleanse with Klee Irwin, featuring information on optimal bowel movement size; ExtenZe penis enlargement pills, hosted by Ron Jeremy, aka Ugliest Living Porn Star; and, of course Miss Cleo's psychic phone line—no introduction, we assume, necessary. This site is a testament to American dreamers on both sides of the capitalist equation: those who can imagine a better life through the Rejuvenique Facial Toning System, and those who make a fortune selling to them.
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Filed under: Television, Advertising, TV Commercials

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Ads of the World
by Molly McCall
Sun, August 20, 2006, 3:00 am PDT

Few things are so amusing and simultaneously baffling as other countries' advertising. Is that because commercials hew so closely to cultural whims? Because humor is the first thing lost in translation? Because what is seductive to one society crosses the line in another? Whatever the reason, every time we dip into this treasure trove of slick global ads, we're guaranteed an experience marked by intelligence, style, and a big dollop of "huh?" Browse by media (print, TV, online, "ambient,"), region (Africa, Europe, or Asia), or industry. Or just click back from the front page, taking what comes willy-nilly (our favorite way). Of the subsections, we particularly like the public interest efforts. The issues we found there, and the fight to combat them, transcend any cultural differences.
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Filed under: Advertising, TV Commercials

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