Week in Advertising

This marks our second ever Thanksgiving 'Week in Advertising' which is pretty great. Today we're going to take you back to the fragile year of 1977. It was a lot like today, when you think about it: gas prices were high, pubic hair was thick, and advertising was terrible. It was a sentimental time of heavy drug use, swingers clubs and case after case of the crabs. Yeah, there's a lot to be thankful for this year, and anyone born in 1977 can bet they were the product of psychotropic abandon. Also: other stuff.

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So we're not sponsored, by anyone. We'll make that point abundantly clear in this week's episode. Also join us on a trip back in time. That is all.

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This week Kevin Allocca was away in Florida. Luckily we found a phone to represent him, and a tie that matched his glossy-black finish. Though short-handed we were, there was no lack of content. Modern Warfare 2, the worst cereal ad of all time and a sorry moment including my long-gone mustache and more are all wrapped into this episode of 'The Week in Advertising.'

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Today we present to you the 50th episode of The Week in Advertising. Full press release, below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Joe Ciarallo
212-389-2011

Joe@mediabistro.com

MEDIABISTRO WEB SERIES TURNS OUT 50 EPISODES, SOMEHOW NOT YET CANCELED

DESPITE TERRIBLE REVIEWS, 'THE SHOW MUST GO' SENTIMENT, CREATOR/HOST CONTINUES EFFORT

New York, November 4, 2009 — 'The Week in Advertising' [TWIA], a weekly Web program showcasing comical advertisements, today released its 50th episode, marking the 49th anniversary since the show ran out of humorous material. "Well, 50's a nice round number, so we figured it was time for a press conference," said show creator/host/AgencySpy.com Editor Matt Van Hoven during a press conference attended only by himself prior to writing this release.

"That show is still on?" asked TWIA producer, Weston Almond, who does the show's pre- and post-production. Aided in production and writing by TVNewser Editor Kevin Allocca, the program draws on "popular culture," "industry news," and "inexpensive whiskey," for laffs. Much of that inspiration comes from Allocca, a former 23/6 editor and sketch comic. "It's intelligent, informed, and always delivers a high level of important discourse," said Allocca, who at the time was speaking of CNN International's "Amanpour."

Industry professionals like Saatchi and Saatchi CEO Gerry Graf agree. "Don't quote me in your f*cking story, Matt," he didn't really say. Catch 'The Week in Advertising' every Tuesday at 1 pm at http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/week_in_advertising/.

ABOUT TWIA -

'The Week in Advertising' is a Web series highlighting the more entertaining aspects of the consumer-side of advertising. This less-than-seven-minute program also takes on confusing ads that the host is too limited in cerebral capacity to understand, and occasionally riffs on AMC's 'Mad Men' in order to garner traffic. Though the risk of being canceled is high, morale on set is always low. Since that makes no sense, it's time to end this press release, officially. OK, it's over. Now. Now it's over. Stop reading this.

Members of the media can receive more information about TWIA here: http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/week_in_advertising/.

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Last week we introduced you to Blake Gernstetter, Mediabistro's Associate Editor and the woman who is now responsible for letting us know when we're out of order (via fun facial expressions). We wanted to stick it to the man this week, so we stuck Blake's face on a ghastly ghoul named Roderigo. Take that, parent company!

But seriously folks, this is episode 49 which means that next week is episode 50 and well damnit how can they not have canceled us yet? Being so hilarious is exhausting, we're told. Attempts at humor, which is where we're most adept, are less tiresome. Enjoy the chez, as our producer Weston Almond (real name) would say.

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Mediabistro got their undies in a bunch about the things we say on our show and now, harrumph-alert, they sent along associate editor Blake Gernstetter to make sure we, you know, keep it clean.

This week, I have to apologize about the worst joke ever told. I tried to make fun of Kevin Allocca, like I do, and instead said that all women are lesbians. Yes, we could have cut the clip out, but the FCC doesn't even know we exist so it's all good. But ah, sorry.

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Watch yourselves, lest you want to catch cold. This week we're reporting live from an apartment in Manhattan somewhere, due to said cold. Nonetheless, here is this week's edition of The Week in Advertising, what with its ads and MadMen recaps and all. Be sure to watch through to the end, where you'll see a bit of my future right before thine eyes.

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Pip Gengenbach is a man you should know. His name is one for all times and places, and his kindly way is overshadowed only by his love of theater and his devotion to participating in the show despite the fact that he no longer works at Mediabistro. Go away Pip, for reals.

Anyway, so he went to Rio and climbed all the way up to the giant Jesus where his girlfriend (bless her heart) pointed the camera at Pip. She dun good. And then Weston Almond, our producer, got his hands on the tape and well let's just say today's episode (#46!) is a little ridiculous.

But that's OK because this is the Web where we do what we want and you watch hoping for one thing alone: a chuckle you haven't chuckled before.

Before this thing gets too fratty, we're planning to make an editorial addition to the program so stay tuned. Meantime, please enjoy our foray into video.

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So Weston, our producer, is sick today. That means TVNewser's Kevin Allocca did all the editing. Feel free to let him know how much he sucks.

This week's show is a little MadMen heavy, due in part to how awesome Sunday's episode was and also the fact that we're totally uncreative (word?) over here and this was the best we could do. Wannafightaboutit?

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I'm not sure what a hipstopotomus is, but let this post serve as a reminder to all of you that Kevin Allocca, bless his soul, is one complicated S.O.B. And I have to say that his segment in today's episode of TWIA is his best yet.

FYI in some cases we tape my portion of the show on, say, Friday and then add Kevin's part later. It's the magic of WebTV at work. I was expecting Kevin to lambaste me like usual, but this time he turned it around. Click play to see how. Or don't, jerks.

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