I was asked to participate in an online Nielsen survey evaluating two television commercials. I don’t watch many commercials these days thanks to TiVo and Netflix, but figured I’d take the time since Nielsen would inadvertently compensate me with a post. ;)
The first was a short, innocuous ad for Glad Press’n Seal which was could be pretty interesting if you’re into new forms of cling wrap. I generally avoid the kitchen and have a feeling Glad charges a premium, so I wasn’t overly compelled to go shopping.
The second commercial was for Celebrex, that prescription pain medication. I wasn’t paying very close attention until they said one possible side effect is death. I’m not an advertising expert, but it seems to me if your product may kill someone and you’re legally bound to disclose that… maybe, just maybe, a television commercial isn’t the correct venue for advertising. The Nielsen survey did ask if I would request Celebrex from my doctor (no) and what I remembered most from the commercial (death).
It’s also worth pointing out the freaky pictograms (see below) used to describe my emotional response. I’m not entirely sure what that middle one with the sunny-side-up-egg-in-stomach indicates, though the explosion clearly represents IBS.
