"Drink more water" PSAs banned from local cinema

Two low-budget health department PSAs promoting water drinking have caused unexpected controversy in Ukiah, California:





According to Daily Journal News, the ads have been rejected for placement in the Regal Ukiah Stadium 6 cinema by its national media placement firm, which is named as National CineMedia — which also serves theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Cinemark Holdings, and others.

The reason? According to the agency that produced the ads, DG Creative Branding, "It conflicts with soda sales in the theater lobby and will upset management and the theater circuit"

As the agency's video points out, bottled water (marketed by Coke and Pepsi) is also sold at cinema concessions. So it seems strange that these PSAs were seen as such a threat. Especially considering their unassuming DYI stock-photo-slideshow style, and the fact that they were sponsored by the CDC.

I doubt there's any vast cola conspiracy here. My guess is that some poorly-trained individual at National CineMedia made a stupid call. The company could not be reached by Daily Journal News for comment.

F'd Ad Fridays: "No refunds if this movie goes over your Philistine little head"

From the Avon Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut:

This is apparently real, although it would also make a really great subvertising campaign to attract film snobs.

Via The Consumerist

F'd Ad Fridays: Director's reel effs up good and proper

Stephen Reedy is a young Director of short horror spoofs and quirky ads who has also been working as a trailer editor in Hollywood, and is ready for his big break. So what does he do? He makes himself a video resume that makes fun of Hollywood cliches, uses cuss words, and basically self-deprecates all over the place.


BALLS + HEART: Director Stephen Reedy in 1 minute or your money back from Stephen Reedy+ZerofriendsFilms on Vimeo.

Will it work? Reedy says, “I use cuss words in my resume. It’s a 1-way ticket to being turned down by 99.9% of everyone I send it to. But all I need is that 0.01%, that one person of influence to appreciate the craziness and start a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Via Agency Spy

Remember (not to text at) The Alamo!

"We do not tolerate people that talk or text in the theater. In fact, before every film, we have several warnings on screen to prevent such happenings. Occasionally, someone doesn't follow the rules, and we do, in fact, kick their asses out of our theater. This video is an actual voicemail from a woman that was kicked out of one of our Austin theaters. Thanks, anonymous woman, for being awesome."



And now, according to The Daily What, The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will be playing this PSA before all R-rated films.