Advertising is an odd bird in the business industry. Many businesses hate advertising for one simple reason, it’s nearly impossible to track effectively. Is an ad working? Can one really tell if it is or not? Then you have to ask the questions — How do I make my ad effective? What changes need to be made?

For Microsoft, a recent ad was changed that really brought the wrong kind of response. In a photo for a Microsoft advertisement, a black man was photoshopped out when the ad made it’s way to Poland. Here’s the photo comparison:

First, it’s obvious this was a Photoshop job. Most of the blog writers have accounted the change due to Poland’s ethnic homogeneity, if it’s a viable reason is where the debate lies. What does the photoshopping of the photo actually mean? Is Microsoft being racist in this situation, or are they just relating to their audience who’s predominantly of one race? Whatever the answer to that question is, Microsoft is in the process of taking the photo down.

The big issue with me is how horrid of a Photoshop job this was. I mean this was a complete hack job, and I’d find whoever did it and fire them or relinquish them of service. They didn’t even take the time to change the skin color of the hand. Tsk Tsk.

Tags: Internet by JohnnyV - 3 Comments »

Stick a fork in me I’m done…The train has left the station…Obi-Wan Kenobi forgot to turn off the tractor beam. Whichever saying you use, you can attach it to my understanding of what’s cool with the kids these days. In my time, it was all Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Thundercats, and Transformers. Was it silly? Yes, of course it was. But even today I can still appreciate those shows and actually watch them from time to time.

I wonder if kids will be able to do the same thing when they look back on Fred Figglehorn. Apparently, this kid won a Teen Choice Award on Nickelodeon. It’s not even that I hate the videos, I’m just at a loss for words. Spongebob I understand, Pokemon I understand, but Fred Figglehorn? Perhaps you can tell me if I’m missing something by watching these videos. I literally want to comprehend why people like these.

Tags: Internet by JohnnyV - 2 Comments »