advertising
The AdTech Underbelly
Ever wonder why online advertising is so confusing, complicated, and privacy-threatening? A new book by an industry insider helps explain why—and how Google put its giant hand on the scale.
The Career Calamity
Two of the most prominent legacy job application sites file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Together. Maybe they lost their edge.
Dial-An-Advertiser
Considering the long history of phone books, particularly the Yellow Pages, where local businesses learned all the marketing tricks they eventually brought to the internet.
The Art Of Annoyance
When it comes down to it, it’s best to think of advertising as a coordinated, decades-long campaign to annoy the heck out of you. And it works pretty well.
Press, Pause
Beyond misunderstanding its iPad consumer base, Apple’s infamous “Crush” ad deeply misunderstands the role of the hydraulic press in meme culture.
California Nearly Killed HBO
The surprisingly true story of how the state that has arguably benefited the most from the pay-TV industry … once voted to ban it. Blame an effective slogan.
Give ’Em Less Data
What if the problems with the news ecosystem could be solved by shutting off the data pipeline to the advertisers? After all, they’ve spent the last 30 years aggressively exploiting it—and us.
Hallmark Card Sharks
How an early embrace of national advertising put Hallmark in the pole position of holiday memories.
These Eyes Are Trackin’
Pondering the tale of Gator, a company that created a password manager way back in 1999, but ruined goodwill by going full spyware. (Oops, I mean adware.)
Cut-Up Culture
Pondering how coupons became the lingua franca of the grocery store, and why they might be important to the survival of the newspaper.
This Old Scandal
Why Bob Vila, perhaps the most famous handyman in history, may have set the stage for a digital era in which stars aren’t afraid to cash in on their names.
Billboard Empire
The evolution of the billboard, an object that very much tends to keep pace with the times. Who doesn’t love outdoor advertising?
Marketing That Sticks
From Big Red to Juicy Fruit to brands not made by Wrigley, chewing gum has surprisingly catchy and effective marketing with a lasting impact on pop culture.
Thirsty? Oh Yeah!
Kool-Aid is a delicious drink with a fascinating story that extends beyond branding. Here’s how the powdered drink mix (and its mascot) came to define drinks.
When a Brand Ruins Your Faves
For the last couple of months, Facebook has leaned on The Muppets to help salvage its damaged reputation on privacy issues. Hey Facebook, could you please not?
Taboola Before Taboola
Taboola and Outbrain have changed the game for advertising on the internet with ads driven by weird images. This novelty company had the idea first.
The Free Ride’s Over
For decades, ad-supported free daily newspapers defined commuting. But the Washington Post Express’ demise shows the model is headed towards the history books.
Marketing in Ernest
For two decades, Ernest P. Worrell was basically the perfect regionally franchised TV advertising mascot—and showed Jim Varney’s sheer brilliance. Knowhutimean?
Channel None
For nearly 30 years, many schools aired a daily news show in exchange for free AV equipment. Channel One was a hit—but the ads drove seemingly everyone crazy.
The Golden Comedo
Why acne medication, from Clearasil to Oxy Pads to Proactiv, is pure marketing gold, and has been for generations of blemished faces. Just ask Dick Clark.
The Reese’s Piece
How a series of creative ads helped Reese’s peanut butter cups—and later, candy-coated peanut butter candies—conquer the world.
The Ballad of Yo! Noid
In the '80s and '90s, advertisers got the idea to market products to kids through video games. The games aren't half-bad (mostly), but they're still ads.
Nothing But Net (And Ads)
The rise of the ad-sponsored dial-up ISP offers some useful lessons on promising too much in the age of MoviePass. Good luck getting rid of that ad.
Leavin’ The Light On
The strange, fascinating career of Tom Bodett, who parlayed NPR radio essays into the longest-running spokesperson gig around. Not that it’s all he does.
Get Yourself A Treat
How movie theaters nudged film-goers out of their seats with short clips designed around the hard sell.
The Four-Minute Villain
How the classic Batman TV show created a major debate around how much TV advertising was too much—and why the debate’s lessons eventually faded away.