Contextual Ad Screw-ups Getting Funny
09.14.2006
Contextual ad exchanges continue to create awkward moments for advertisers, but at least they’re getting funny. Or sort of funny. Here’s an Apple ad — with “PC Man” featured in a wheelchair with broken limbs — that shows up on CNN Money next to an article on the recall of faulty Segway scooters. From Adrants.
This reminds me of my early days selling ads on cable networks. The early technology randomly placed spots in breaks without human oversight. I got a call one morning from an angry religious advertiser that ended up in USA’s late night “hot” programming. Nudity for Jesus did not play well.
The human sales element is always the best safety net.