View Full Version : "Nothing good ever came out of America" billboards
Silver Rusher
09-30-2006, 20:24
Adverts on billboards and other public advertisements have been cropping up around the UK bearing the words "Nothing good ever came out of America". The ads just contain that text on a black background, with nothing else on it. Here is an example:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielmorris/255005995/
Anyone else seen these?
EDIT: Reading a comment on that photo, I found this:
"A quick google check reveals that this is actually a teaser campaign for the New channel 5 US channel. It is deliberately unattributed and will follow with a campaign saying 'Who says nothing good ever came out of America? The new channel from Five showcasing the best of the US'."
Even so, doesn't get my applause.
Crazed Rabbit
09-30-2006, 20:35
So a US company is doing this? Screw them, and their arrogant attitude that the best the US has to offer is TV shows.
Crazed Rabbit
Silver Rusher
09-30-2006, 20:38
So a US company is doing this? Screw them, and their arrogant attitude that the best the US has to offer is TV shows.
Crazed Rabbit
No, not a US company, channel 5 actually (British TV station).
I'm pretty sure billboards came out of Amercia :2thumbsup:
King Henry V
09-30-2006, 20:49
I'm pretty sure billboards came out of Amercia :2thumbsup:
Exactly, that's why nothing good ever came out of it! -;)
have these morons never watched porn? :laugh4: :2thumbsup:
Samurai Waki
10-01-2006, 00:56
I rarely if ever watch TV anymore. Nothing THAT good ever came out of American Media (except perhaps going against McCarthy). The only TV I ever watch is the History Channel, Discovery, Food Network, Comedy Central, and Cartoon Network. Thats about the extent of it.
AntiochusIII
10-01-2006, 03:41
I rarely if ever watch TV anymore. Nothing THAT good ever came out of American Media (except perhaps going against McCarthy). The only TV I ever watch is the History Channel, Discovery, Food Network, Comedy Central, and Cartoon Network. Thats about the extent of it.Aww, come on. Admit it. You're just a closet American Idol fan. :2thumbsup:
(Who did you vote for, hmm? :P)
Quite frankly, though, I don't know why, but my Discovery channel is just terrible. All they have are crappy "build houses!" shows; and I'm not mistaking just Discovery for Discovery Home either.
count yourslef lucky forn having them, i only have 5 channels :2thumbsup:
They obviously don't know Tabasco, otherwise they wouldn't say this.
I've seen about three of them so far. Quite honestly I think they're inappropriate. If I'd put up a banner with for example:
"nothing good ever came out of Somalia"
I would probably be branded a racist and locked up, despite my pleas that I was intending to produce a second advert as an addition to the first stating something totally to the contrary as a sort of punchline.
lanky316
10-02-2006, 13:24
Channel 5 advertising that they're new channel will have nothing good on... It has to be said this is one of the worst advertising campaigns I've seen for a while.
Erm, no, it iis a two stage campaign. The first is about lowering expectations, the second about selling a product that exceeds those lowered expectations. In theory.
Watchman
10-02-2006, 15:37
Personally, I often wonder what the ***** those ad people get paid for anyway.
Byzantine Prince
10-02-2006, 15:42
Everyone knows that advertising careers are mostly for the borderline retarded of society.
lanky316
10-02-2006, 16:10
Erm, no, it iis a two stage campaign. The first is about lowering expectations, the second about selling a product that exceeds those lowered expectations. In theory.
But if you're generating hype around a new channel it isn't wise to start off with a campaign like that. Yes that's the theory but not exactly the best method of doing it. The second stage would work but the first stage will merely aliuenate people before you start off.
It'd be akin to me marketing a new band as "the worst band to ever play a note" and then releasing an album after all the smear as "the best album ever released. EVER"
And that is why the first wave of posters is not attributed to the product.
macsen rufus
10-02-2006, 17:49
It'd be akin to me marketing a new band as "the worst band to ever play a note" and then releasing an album after all the smear as "the best album ever released. EVER"
It worked for the Sex Pistols :laugh4:
And people will still be watching the channel long after the ad is forgotten. Not me though, it still hasn't convinced me to buy a TV :2thumbsup:
IrishArmenian
10-03-2006, 05:29
But U.S. invented blues and rock and roll... and its many bastard children.
Cars, planes, lightbulbs. Im not a historian, but if I did my research I could go on and on about the American-made inventions europeans use everyday.
And, as far as I know. Nothing good has ever came out of Somolia.
"Show me just what America brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as their doctrines to spread by the sword the ideas they preach." :laugh4:
And, as far as I know. Nothing good has ever came out of Somolia.
of course it has..loads of nice people to start with (im quite liking somalia today, because a somalian dentist fixed my filling! :2thumbsup: )
Its not vary good advertising campaign (although i know very little about advertising - they're messing with out minds, and we dont know it :laugh4: )
Loads of good things have come from america, but an equal amount of bad things :2thumbsup:
yesdachi
10-03-2006, 16:39
Everyone knows that advertising careers are mostly for the borderline retarded of society.
It has been my experience that you are not far off with that statement! :~:joker:
For many it is very difficult to combine a good idea with proper execution (but somehow I manage to do it everyday :thumbsup:). This is an example of neither good design nor proper execution, but it has gotten peoples attention, which is a part of a good billboard campaign.
Good designs go to heaven, bad designs go everywhere else. ~D
It'd be akin to me marketing a new band as "the worst band to ever play a note" and then releasing an album after all the smear as "the best album ever released. EVER"
Good idea for vaccuum cleaner add.
'it sucks'
Sir Moody
10-04-2006, 13:30
Cars, planes, lightbulbs. Im not a historian, but if I did my research I could go on and on about the American-made inventions europeans use everyday.
im going to get it in the ear for this but the car is a french invention...
/runs and hides
KukriKhan
10-04-2006, 13:31
They obviously don't know Tabasco, otherwise they wouldn't say this.
Thanks, but, Tabasco comes from Tabasco, Mexico via Louisiana http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabasco_sauce
Good on breakfast eggs. On what do you use it?
Bonus note: US Army issues tiny (about one-eigth ounce) bottles of the stuff in their 'Meals; Ready to Eat' (MRE's).
http://www.nyp.nl/shop/products/media/product_pizza_pepperoni.gif
Now I am hungry :no:
Not me though, it still hasn't convinced me to buy a TV :2thumbsup:
:shakehands:
Vladimir
10-04-2006, 17:50
Yea, and what have the Romans done for us? :juggle2:
have these morons never watched porn? :laugh4: :2thumbsup:
Euro porn's better, heh.
Yea, and what have the Romans done for us? :juggle2:
You mean besides the aquaduct, security, baths....
Myrddraal
10-05-2006, 23:48
So, this is the first ad I've seen discussed on a totalwar game site. And you're claiming the ad isn't good?
I've seen them around to, and they really made me wonder wtf they were about. I must say I was expecting a second set of ads, and I was waiting to find out what it was for.
An ad doesn't have to make you feel good to be successful, it just needs to bring the product to the top of your mind. I'm sure tons of people who've seen that ad will watch the channel just to see...
"Show me just what America brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as their doctrines to spread by the sword the ideas they preach." :laugh4:
Well there's always the computer chip. Not only from the USofA but also created in the Great State of Texas. Without that piece of American brilliance this forum would not be around for you to voice your opinions on. We've brought you tobacco, and many other foods that are now called "european", potatoes arent from ireland. Other then the fact that your statement is completely false and quite racist America has brought alot to this world.
___________________
Speak softly and carry tactical nukes.
BigTex
Ridicolus
"Hilary Clinton is the devil"
~Texas proverb
Myrddraal
10-06-2006, 00:23
BigTex, he's joking, read spoil for details.
That quote was said by some medieval king in constantinople or something, about the Prophet Muhammad. The pope recently quoted it in an academic talk and the islamic world was up in arms.
Though I'm sure the Pope didn't have bad intentions, he really should have known better. Public figures cannot afford to make such slip ups. Plenty of mulsim figures have said that it is the duty of every good muslim to kill the pope if they can.
I did see a funny cartoon in Private-Eye. It could be taken as racist, but I couldn't help but laugh. It showed a steriotypical muslim extreemist, talking into a microphone with a speech bubble reading:
"How dare the Pope accuse Islam of being a violent Religion"
And another quote from off screen saying
"Lets kill him!"
The media isolates us emotionally from events :sad:
Stressing that they were not his own words, he (the Pope) quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire, the Orthodox Christian empire which had its capital in what is now the Turkish city of Istanbul.
The emperor's words were, he said: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."
Benedict said...
I was reminded of all this recently, when I read... of part of the dialogue carried on - perhaps in 1391 in the winter barracks near Ankara - by the erudite Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus and an educated Persian on the subject of Christianity and Islam, and the truth of both.
In the seventh conversation...the emperor touches on the theme of the holy war. Without descending to details, such as the difference in treatment accorded to those who have the "Book" and the "infidels", he addresses his interlocutor with a startling brusqueness on the central question about the relationship between religion and violence in general, saying: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."
The emperor, after having expressed himself so forcefully, goes on to explain in detail the reasons why spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable. Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul. "God," he says, "is not pleased by blood - and not acting reasonably is contrary to God's nature. Faith is born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly, without violence and threats."
Anyway, this is completely off topic.
I personally think this is a very very successful ad :grin:
Byzantine Prince
10-06-2006, 02:05
What has america done for me lately?
Papewaio
10-06-2006, 03:11
I think someone needs to start teaching irony and self-depreciation at school in the US of A.
What has america done for me lately?
Tell me, do you enjoy using your car?
Papewaio
10-06-2006, 03:16
Tell me, do you enjoy using your car?
And the inventors of the automobile were
:drummer:
German.
Any of these names look familar:
Benz, Daimler, Maybach
Seamus Fermanagh
10-06-2006, 03:52
I think someone needs to start teaching irony and self-depreciation at school in the US of A.
Pappy:
He's from Texas -- not quite the same thing as the USA. Their version of self-deprectation is to brag about the ranch and skip over the fact that they've got 4 wellheads in the back 40. Irony is something they use to flatten shirts.
Papewaio
10-06-2006, 04:56
Well played. Methinks you could teach the aussies a thing or too.
I think someone needs to start teaching irony and self-depreciation at school in the US of A.
Eh no that was me glancing over something in a hurry. Very good advertising though, i think they'll get alot of viewers just by pissen people off. Becuase lets be honest even though they look horrible, and generally piss you off, you still gotta know what their doing.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-9/1217097/michael_jackson_150.jpg
________________
Speak softly and carry tactical nukes.
BigTex
Ridicolus
"Hilary Clinton is the devil"
~Texas proverb
Sir Moody
10-06-2006, 09:20
And the inventors of the automobile were
German.
welllll actualllly
The first Car (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Cugnot)
French :inquisitive:
lanky316
10-06-2006, 11:18
Well there's always the computer chip
Of course... However that invention would've been useless were it not for an Englishman inventing the computer :2thumbsup:
Duke Malcolm
10-06-2006, 11:28
Nothing good ever came out of Channel 5.
Sir Moody
10-06-2006, 11:31
apart from them showing CSI and criminal minds :idea2:
Duke Malcolm
10-06-2006, 11:55
Alright, except CSI, though only the original one, with Grissom (sp.), but that is moot, since it is also shown on non-terrestrial channels also (none of which I have)
Sir Moody
10-06-2006, 12:01
Living - CSI 11pm every night and normally a few times earlier as well :laugh4:
its csi heaven
Now the ads appear to have changed to the "real" adverts/hordings. The one near me has a pic of Susan Saradon (sp) so "what good has ever come from the US?"
....well DUH! the women stooopid! I have to thank the US for gifting the movies and TV with beutiful women (Susan included - yum!).
Yes, there are lovely ladies the world over but none get the same exposure or the same availabitly as those from the US.
We've brought you tobacco, and many other foods that are now called "european", potatoes arent from ireland. Other then the fact that your statement is completely false and quite racist America has brought alot to this world.
Tobacco was the native americans revenge upon the world. And Potatoes are distinctly south american.
Don Corleone
10-06-2006, 14:35
I'm terribly afraid Pape might be right. We appear to be a bit thin-skinned, methinks.
As for Susan Sarandon, she's getting to be a bit long in the tooth, and her eyes are too round and bulging. I don't have a thing against age.... Sigourney Weaver is around the same age, and that is one MILF (well, dream about it anyways).
I thought Karl Benz invented the automobile. Americans invented the assmebly line, which meant that automobiles went from luxery item to household treasure. We did however invent the airplane. The steam engine is a bit dicey... James Watt invented the steam compression engine, but Robert Fulton was the first to apply it to locomotion (on steamboats).
As for American porn... the amateur stuff is okay, but most of it is way too formulaic.
And don't take puffed-chested orgahs as typical of Americans inability to laugh at ourselves. Check out Jay Leno's history quizzes out on the streets of LA. :laugh4:
By the way, I thought Bartix's apropos requote of Pope Benedict quoting Manuel Commenus was a hoot. Spot on.
yesdachi
10-06-2006, 15:13
To me (and I might be a freak, but) Susan Sarandon is so ugly I cannot look at her for any extended period of time, I could never watch her in a movie again (Boogie Nights nearly killed me, thank god Heather Gram was also in it).
Duke Malcolm
10-12-2006, 18:28
I thought Karl Benz invented the automobile. Americans invented the assmebly line, which meant that automobiles went from luxery item to household treasure. We did however invent the airplane. The steam engine is a bit dicey... James Watt invented the steam compression engine, but Robert Fulton was the first to apply it to locomotion (on steamboats).
Not only was Robert Fulton not the first to apply steam engines to locomotion (which was a French chap), he was not the first man invent the steamboat. A Scottish chap was (again)... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Symington)
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