KEY POINTS:
Is the NRL going after the pink dollar, wonders Chris Hegan of the finely crafted NRL trophy of two men dancing together while gazing rapturously into each other's eyes. "I've heard of reaching out to new audience sectors but this is ridiculous."
* * *
Yesterday Douglas Ormrod revealed the "Save the Snifters" website belongs to Auckland advertising agency Admission and suggested the whole thing was a PR stunt, but Ben Slater, managing director of Admission (Australia) claims his ad agency is in no way associated with Cadbury. "We are as surprised as the rest of NZ as to the way that this issue seems to have galvanised public opinion. Slater's New Zealand cohort, Rod Davis concurs: "I am thrilled to hear that we are Cadbury's advertising agency. I'm sure it will make me a very rich man ... I hope someone at Cadbury's has told their incumbent agency ... otherwise they may be tempted to throw their Snifters, Tangy Fruits and Sparkles out of the cot." Melbourne-based Cadbury PR boss Daniel Ellis says there is no relationship with Admission. He said Snifter production stopped in June and "will not start again". I guess you've got to believe them, although, that said, Never Believe An Advertising Agency is, in my experience, a mantra to live by.
* * *
Control freak or safety first? Ford has released a car that nags teenagers about how fast they are going. The My Key feature will emit an annoying alarm if teen drivers go over 80 mph (128km/h) and sound warnings at 45, 55 and 65 mph. It also has the ability to turn the stereo volume down and sound a six-second chime every minute if seat belts are not fastened. If that's not enough to make you veer off the tar seal, there will also be a low-fuel warning at 75 miles to empty, plus more reminders. (Source: msnbc.msn.com)
* * *
Yesterday a reader suggested the Helen Clark/John Key chewy-face dog toys encourage dog attacks on humans. Joe rejects this: "Does this person seriously believe that a dog can tell that these plastic toys resemble people? Perhaps this person has a good idea. If I give a Helen Clark chew-toy to my dog, then set the dog free in Parliament, perhaps my dog will make a move against the PM.
Today's Webpick: The literal version (if songs sang what was happening in the music video) of a-ha's famous pop song 'Take On Me'. Watch it here. Scroll down.
These are the very best online videos from Ana's online magazine Spare Room.