The worst of Jay's Inbox: A neverending series. The company that claims to have pioneered "forehead advertising" (yes, it is what it sounds like) now says it will recruit couples to post ads in their (the couples') bedrooms. The company makes something called SnoreStop, which is apparently something snorers are supposed to spray in their throats to attenuate the Harley-Davidson effect. Of course advertising in people's bedrooms, as the company puts it, reaches "a very limited consumer base" and is even stupider than forehead ads.
But they're hoping that editors, producers and writers will be gullible or desperate enough for copy to seize on this as an offbeat trend story and write about it, which is the REAL advertising disguised as journalism.
Wait! I just wrote about it! I gave them a free ad! The only remaining question is: Gullible? Or desperate?
From the PR come-on:
Dear Jay,
SnoreStop, the company which helped pioneer forehead advertising in 2005, seeks to place ads in actual bedrooms in order to reach couples where snoring relief is needed the most.
More information about this new innovative marketing initiative can be found below. I’d be happy to put you in touch with Christian deRivel at SnoreStop to discuss their plans further. Please let me know if you’re interested and however I can help.
And:
CAMARILLO, CA- JUNE 20, 2007 – Call it the ultimate form of personal advertising. SnoreStop, the company which made news around the world by sponsoring forehead advertiser Andrew Fischer in 2005, is opening the door to yet another bold new form of advertising - and it turns out to be a bedroom door.
Anxious to reach snorers and their long-suffering spouses where they need snoring relief most, Green Pharmaceuticals (the parent of SnoreStop) will shortly begin seeking couples willing to permit SnoreStop ads within and just outside of their home bedrooms, in exchange for cash prizes, a brand new bedroom makeover, or a Second Honeymoon vacation package.
The ads will come in three forms: SnoreStop posters to be placed on bedroom walls; promotional flags to be secured just outside of bedrooms; and rooftop banners to be affixed just above bedrooms. Though the final look and copy of these ads is still being finalized, the message of the new bedroom advertising program will be consistent with SnoreStop’s overriding “Save Your Marriage” campaign, designed to help otherwise-happy couples finally enjoy sound sleep without the sound.
Recognizing that bedroom advertising can, of course, only reach a very limited consumer base, SnoreStop will supplement the campaign by sending real-life couples out into the public wearing branded pajamas reading:
OUR BEDROOM IS SPONSORED BY SNORESTOP.
SAVE YOUR MARRIAGE THE WAY WE SAVED OURS!
According to Green Pharmaceuticals’ Christian deRivel, “Since SnoreStop is designed for the bedroom, we realized there is no better venue for us than an actual bedroom to promote the effectiveness of our product. Our company has a history of exploring interesting new advertising venues, and we intend to make this our most ambitious campaign yet.”
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be PR flacks.