Clickity Clack

Internet banner ads are probably one of the most popular forms of advertising being used today. They're cheap and effective. Some are slick flash animations that are clean and to the point. Some... not so much. If you've spent any time on websites like MySpace or Pirate Bay, you know what i'm talking about.

It started with clickable ads featuring a singer or actor and three choices to "Name This Star". Does anyone on the goddamn planet not know what Eminem looks like? No. And that's why it's effective. Because toothless morons in Trailerparkansas start slapping their forearms together and clicking away on the ad (right or wrong sends you to the same place, the whole ad is a link) - thereby giving the advertiser's site a "hit".

Then I began seeing the "catch the baby" ads with flash animations that allow you to chase the cartoon around and click when you think you've caught the little bastard. It made the user feel like they were playing a game. This was slightly more amusing and irritating at the same time. There are several variations of this that are equally lame, but today I think it hit the wall.



"Johnson, what ideas do you have for the next Banner Ad/Game?"

"I've got 'Hit the Tourist with a Snot-Rocket', 'Wipe Your Ass with Your Roommate's Cat' and 'Out-Fart the Gorilla'.

"Make it happen, Johnson, Maaaake it happen!!"

The real victim here is the poor sap that had to design a "fart button".