Consumerist.com Announces Nominees for Worst Ad in America Awards
Bad acting, loud spokespeople, and irritating but infectious jingles are all attributes of the 30 ads that were nominated for Consumerist.com's first annual Worst Ad in America Awards. The nominees are divided among six categories and include obnoxious characters such as Chase Bank Barbarians and cheesy celebrity endorsements such as Hulk Hogan for Rent-a-Center.
"The masses have spoken and they are sick and tired of viewing ads that only stimulate irritation, rather than substance," said Meghann Marco, Executive Editor of Consumerist.com. "Major brands like McDonald's and Toyota have made our list, along with some less known names like 5-Hour Energy and Liberator Medical, showing that bad ads don't discriminate."
All nominations were based on readers' submissions and the ads had to have aired in 2010. The categories include:
- Absolute Worst Ad in America
- Most Grating Performance By A Human Being
- Most Annoying Animated Spokesthing
- Duo Or Group That Most Needs To Be Broken Up
- Celebrity Who Must Have Lost The Most Money In Housing Crash
- Creepiest Commercial
Of all the industries represented, the insurance industry dominates the contest with seven nominations shared among six companies. Geico, whose animated gecko barely merited a mention in the nomination process, tied for the lead in total nominations by a single company with two.
Readers' gripes with the nominated ads stemmed from presentation rather than the products and services they were advertising. The one glaring exception to that statement is evident in the Celebrity category, where many readers expressed disgust with Ben Stein's endorsement of FreeScore.com. Dannon also received enough disdain to earn two nominations in the same category for its ads featuring Jamie Lee Curtis and Heidi Klum.
Click here for a printable pdf ballot of nominees or go directly to the voting!
Continue to visit Consumerist.com to track votes. The winners in their respective categories will be announced on Wednesday, September 29 and will receive the coveted "Fast-Forward" Award.
ABSOLUTE WORST AD IN AMERICA
- Honda – Mr. Opportunity — Paparazzi
- Progressive – Flo Dishes Out Discounts
- Quiznos – Singimals – Starring Kittens
- Staples – Wow! That's a Low Price!
- State Farm – Pocket Agent
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