Recently this snake oil for your forehead has been being advertised on television (usually on the news networks, go figure) that magically removes your headaches when you rub it on your skull. Their advertising scheme is pure genius, if you were a 6 year-old child. They simply repeat how to use it 3 times, "Head On, apply directly to the forehead! Head On, apply directly to the forehead! Head On, apply directly to the forehead!" Nothing is said of how it works, or even what it does, just an obnoxious repetition of the same 7 words, very annoying.

Unfortunately, the "fat cats" on Madison Avenue are about as creative as a straight to video horror movie, and others have begun using this same tactic, though not exactly the same. Now, on radio advertisements phone numbers are being repeated in a loop 3 times, so that you don't forget it and can call them.

This has been common practice is radio advertising for years, you have to get the phone number out at least 3 times during the ad, so that people either remember the number or have a chance to write it down. That would be fine if that was how it was being done, but it is a looped voice saying the phone number three times in direct succession! I want to go road rage on my car's stereo when I hear it. What ever happened to hiring some out of work musician to write jingles that included the phone numbers? That is A) easier to remember and B) far less annoying.

What is more important to advertisers these days? Clearly, not pissing off potential customers is not the number one priority. It must be getting to their massages with a happy ending, so they just take the rule of 3 and slap it down with no thought or creativity involved. "There, it's in there 3 times, where's my $50? I need to get down to the parlor!"

I remember a time when funny commercials were the way to go, not a long winded spiel that nobody's listening to, followed up with autistic repeating of a phone number. The only time I notice these ads is when I've heard the same thing over and over until I freak out. Why not try getting me to laugh? If I'm laughing then I must be listening or watching, and then... I will remember the product, not my anger. Only beer companies are trying to get people to laugh. Soda companies and clothing stores are trying to convince you that you will be cool if your show them patronage. No offense Old Navy but I will never get my "Fash On", because that is not cool.

I want funny commercials, and I want them now. I am tired of being pissed off at the sound of a woman saying, "Head On, apply directly to the forehead!"


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