Favorite Audio Ad


Advertising never ceases to amaze me - there are so many different angles that can be taken, some are great, some not so great. My current favorite ad, though, is the one that has been appearing in Stereophile for Paradigm speakers. It shows a woman decked out to be a sophisticated professional sitting on a chair between a pair of Paradigm speakers facing out into the room. Behind the three of them (they're all facing the same way) is a big brick wall and, of course, it's wood flooring.

Just to be sure that we understand how sophisticated this music lover is, despite her awkward positioning, she's studying the back of a John Coltrane record cover. She's so into it that she can't take the time to put her other albums away, though, as they're scattered on the floor at her feet including a couple that aren't even in their covers - they're lying there naked on the floor. Who, exactly, is Paradigm trying to appeal to with this? Every angle (except humor) that I look at this from breaks down. At least I get a good laugh every time I see it.

Anyone else have an ad they think is particularly good, bad, ridiculous, tongue-in-cheek effective, etc.?

kthomas
Several years back there was an ad I found visually very stunning (great photography) but conceptually, I just did't get the point. It was the Red Rose or was it Cello? ad with Mark Levinson, a naked woman and an apple as props. Now what the hell any of this has to do with an audio product, I haven't exactly figured out. On the other hand it got my attention. Then again on the other hand I don't remember nor care what they were selling, a subliminal message maybe is the point? Was it effective in selling product? Maybe someone on the inside could enlighten us. It ran for quite a while so it must have worked to some degree.

Kurt I also have tried to figure out who that ad is appealing to. Certainly not an audiophile but maybe a man or woman that is attracted to the photo of the lovely young woman in her upscale barren loft apartment? My reaction was, I'll bet that room has a lively ring.
I remember the ad Tubegroover mentions. It get my vote too. It is actually bad marketing. We remember the woman, not the product. Mr. Wipple was not pretty, but we all remember the product. That's good marketing.
Recent Pepsi ads. I can't really remember what they sell in them, could be a drink??? I don't know. Great Ass though.
SORRY!!!! I did it again! TYPO above in that last one. Please replace a 'd' for that 's', should read "great ads though" The letters are so close on the keyboard. SORRY!
Thanks,
Chris