McAwkward

At first, I assumed this image floating around the internet was fake, because the placement of the "M" makes for a hilarious read.

But e-bay says differently.

Happy Long Weekend!

Awkward contextual ad on VIA terror plot news

Today, the RCMP announced the arrest of two men in connection with an "al-Qaeda-supported" plan to attack a VIA Rail passenger train in Canada. And this ad appeared above it.

This kind of thing actually happens all the time, from awkward grizzlies to PETA hamburgers. It's pretty much unavoidable in a major internet campaign.

A friend shared this unfortunate screenshot of a VIA ad above the CBC story. I can't seem to reproduce the combination through multiple refreshes, so I'll assume that VIA's media people caught it early. But not before someone else caught it for posterity.

F'd Ad Fridays: Awkwardness begins before birth

Adland shared this.

"Baby looking through closed curtain" Link

Talk about starting life off on the wrong... ummm... nevermind.

F'd Ad Fridays: "Apple Dumplings" and other random synonyms for boobs

This video is f'd in kind of a good way, since I support the cause:



The awkward burlesque. The synonyms. The cows. The babies as props. The breast pumps. The mysterious guy with the cue cards, who warranted an encore...

Okay, then...

F'd Ad Fridays: The gum that goes... what?

I can't believe this seemed so innocent when I saw it as a filthy-minded adolescent...



I guess it was a more innocent time.

F'd Ad Fridays: Long live the crunchy sensation!

Or would "crusty" be a better translation? Ewwwwww...

Via Failblog

F'd Ad Fridays: A shirtload of awkward

I spotted this last weekend in the kids' clothing section of Winners (a Canadian version of T.J. Maxx or Marshalls) in Ottawa's suburban east end:

[click to embiggen and read]

Yes, Michael. I know how to keep a secret. But it will cost you...

McDonald's awkward multiculturalism

Sociological Images shared this unfortunate "career ladder" snapped at an unidentified McDonald's by Near Earth Object:

From the context, you have to assume these are real people. And their ethnicities may reflect socioeconomic realities in the United States. But it's unfortunate because McDonald's tries so hard to be an equal opportunity employer, and this makes it seem like the higher positions are locked up by whitey.

By the way, if you are African, Latino or Asian American, and want to see how McDonald's is reaching out to you, please check out one of their painfully stereotyped sub-sites:

365Black: "Like the unique African baobab tree, which nourishes its community with its leaves and fruit..."

MeEncanta "We share your passion for music"

Myinspirasian: "Let's go do some karaoke!"

Most homoerotically awkward ad ever?

Not that there's anything wrong with that, but:



Yes, it's a real product. It's even been featured on Ellen Degeneres.

I'd give my usual creative and pseudo-sociological deconstruction of this campaign, but I'm feeling a little uncomfortable right now, so I think the less said the better.

If it makes you feel any less awkward, there's a female one, too: