anti-advertising advertisements

an organization called the "anti-advertising agency" is offering free "you don't need this" stickers so that you can stick it (get it?) to marketers.

now, while i work in advertising, i can't say that i appreciate advertising in every form or execution. a great example is an outdoor billboard i saw in Chicago near Cabrini Green (goverment housing projects) for stella artois that read, "Perfection has its price." there are obviously a gazillion things wrong with how this advertisement was executed. but, i do believe, to a certain extent, that it is a necessary evil.

• i love ugly betty, top chef, and re-runs of x-files. if those shows were not supported with advertising and placement, it would just be...well, it wouldn't be. could there be locally grown or self/government funded tv productions? well, yes. but then it'd all be...mr. rogers, the electric company, kids incorporated, and yan can cook. quality, but does not exactly give me the escape i'm looking for in HD.



• i love the interweb, for all the obvious reasons. and, it wouldn't exist without the marketing budgets of your macys, targets, and huggies of the world



• some advertisements are entertaining. i'm not talking about the financial planning talking baby or the 70% of bud light commercials that really suck. i'm talking about hearing zach braff's voice for the loveable cottonelle puppy, or the noid, or the "batman: the dark knight" previews, or "need to get away" southwest airlines commercials. they're funny or bring me some sort of positive feeling, and i'm ok with that.



• sometimes, i want to know about stuff/products. i AM looking for a new shampoo, or new sneakers or the best place to find a used car. i'm not saying i need EVERYTHING that's advertised, but maybe i am in the market for something and the ad will help start that product research phase.
  

so, before you go out there and make sure the world knows you don't think they NEED a pizza from dominos (gross, right?), take a second to think about what the subway fares would look like if it wasn't there, or if someone was thinking to themselves, "my god i want an extra large pizza to come to my door" what would happen to them.

not only that, but remember that you're smart enough to make the decision about what YOU need in your life.

you can tell me that i don't need the next futurama dvd that's coming out in a couple months, but you don't know that.