It’s the ad with the funny-looking guy wearing that loud jacket and that jingle that sticks in your head for days. Maybe it’s the spot with the animated character who looks like dancing zombie road kill, or perhaps it’s the one with the actor-turned-singer-turned-security-guard. They are the ads we can’t stand but we can’t stand to turn off, and they’re being honored by Consumerist.com’s first annual Worst Ad in America Awards.
Last week, it was announced that a roster of 30 ads (airing this year) would be competing within six categories, among them major brands like Honda, McDonald’s, and State Farm and some lesser-known but equally as liable brands such as 1-800 Dentist and 5-Hour Energy. All of the contestants were chosen based on readers’ submissions.
“The masses have spoken and they are sick and tired of viewing ads that only stimulate irritation, rather than substance,” said Meghann Marco, executive editor of Consumerist.com.
The nation’s leading not-for-profit consumer advocacy organization and subsidiary of Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, and ConsumerReports.org recently announced the winners of the “Fast Forward” Award; here they are in each of the six categories. Take a look — is that spot you love to hate a 2010 winner? Would you admit it if it was?!
Absolute Worst Ad in America:
Staples — Wow! That’s a Low Price!
Most Grating Performance by a Human:
McDonald’s — The “Don’t-even-talk-to-me-until-I’ve-had-my-coffee” jerkface
Most Annoying Animated Spokesthing:
The General Insurance — The General
Duo or Group Who Needs to be Broken Up:
J.G. Wentworth — The Opera-Singing Bus Riders
Celebrity Who Must Have Lost the Most Money in the Housing Crash:
ExtenZe — Jimmy Johnson
Creepiest Commercial:
Liberator Medical — No More Used Catheters
Final results can be found here.
This post also appears at TalentZoo’s blog, Beneath the Brand, as “The Worst Ad in America.”