Ad Nauseam: Spare the Toll, Save the Carmaker

By Brad Aaron
Nov 11, 2008

Yesterday we noted the auto-centric bias in local media coverage of an expected Ravitch Commission proposal to toll East River bridges as one source of revenue for the cash-strapped MTA. In perusing said coverage, we couldn’t help but notice a second common element. See if you can guess what it is.

After the jump: score one for the good guys.

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Ad Nauseam: Holy Rollover Risk, Batmom!!

By Brad Aaron | Apr 16, 2010

Lexus has suspended sales of its GX 460 after Consumer Reports issued a "don’t buy" warning earlier this week. Apparently the luxury SUV’s electronic "stability control" system can fail to correct drivers taking turns too quickly, resulting in a rollover risk. Times car blog Wheels reports: Mr. Champion [Consumer Reports auto testing director] said that […]

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Ad Nauseam: Use Any App You Want While Driving — Because Safety!

By Angie Schmitt | Oct 10, 2014

Here’s the latest in wishful thinking about distracted driving. A new application called “Drivemode” wants to make it easier for you to use all your mobile apps while you’re behind the wheel — but don’t worry it’s safe! Because, at least theoretically, you don’t actually have to look at your phone. That’s the marketing message […]

Ad Nauseam: Nissan Goes Car-Free for NYC Promo

By Ben Fried | Apr 2, 2010

Bicycles seem to figure more prominently in Nissan’s Leaf promotion than Leafs (or Leaves, as the case may be). It looks like one car maker has figured out an intriguing way to market its product to a city audience: Just don’t show it at all. In fact, try to sell it by appealing to the […]

The Opposite of Ad Nauseam: Farrah on a Bike

By Brad Aaron | Jun 26, 2009

It’s been a tumultuous week in more ways than one. We’re going to leave it behind with a flashback, via Cycelicious, to the late 1970s, when Farrah Fawcett pedaled to promote her own line of shampoo. What helmet could contain that hair? We couldn’t find video of Ed McMahon or Michael Jackson on a bike […]

Now Arriving on the Brooklyn-Bound Track, the Worst Ad Placement Ever

By Brad Aaron | Jan 14, 2014

Whoever convinced Jaguar to buy this ad wrap, spotted by Doug Gordon, is earning his or her salary. I mean, what do the F train and the F-Type have in common, other than the letter F? Yes, they’re both transportation vehicles. But one costs around $2 per trip while the other starts at $69,000 — plus […]

Ad Nauseam: Antisocial Thuggery From Pioneer

By Brad Aaron | Jun 19, 2009

We’ve published a couple of items lately on how noise from motorcycles and booming car stereo systems continue to diminish quality of life in Inwood and Washington Heights — not that these problems are by any means unique to Upper Manhattan. The Queens-based NoiseOFF website has compiled a fascinating case against the manufacturers of car […]