Will Rogers once said, "Advertising is the art of convincing people to spend money they don't have for something they don't need."

And how do you that? That's easy. Just sprinkle in some sex! It's nature's negotiator.

Of course, it's not as simple as it sounds. These days, people are easier to offend than Catholic nuns and the FCC has made it nearly impossible to advertise products the way God intended (i.e. naked girls with abnormally large boobs writhing and moaning over the awesomeness of Flonase). So an even subtler art of using sex to get your money lies within this deeply layered process. Here are the best of the best and the worst of the worst.

If there was an ad that just shook you down to your core and prevented you from looking at the world with the same eyes, please read a book or get out and get some help or something.

Chances are it also appeared on this list from AdWeek of the 30 Freakiest Ads of the Decade. It includes such spinetinglers as the Palm-Pre Girl and Bob's favorite ad, the singing pepperonis for Tabasco.



[via Neatorama]

One of the great TV characters right now is the mysterious bald Observer on FOX's Fringe. And he's popped up in other places as well, including FOX baseball game coverage.

This pic was taken this morning at South Station in Boston (larger version here). Many mysterious bald guys standing around. Also, they were handing out these. I wonder if this freaked anyone out after that Aqua Teen Hunger Force promo fiasco.

[thanks to Jeff for the tip]

Tell me, on what planet is this an appealing commercial? I hate ads where random bottom parts suddenly appear on food. And it's especially disturbing if the food starts talking or singing to me. This one is like Willy Wonka's Oompa-Loompas speaking from another dimension.

I was going to have pizza for dinner tonight too. Now...not so much. Or maybe I'll just skip the pepperoni.

[via Adfreak]