Where's the bollocks?

The Outdoor Advertising Association in Britain is feeling rather pleased with itself. They've just launched a campaign they hope will show that outdoor advertising still has relevance in the digital age. Especially since, according to Google research offline initiatives are still an essential catalyst for driving traffic online.

So, for the next two weeks controversial "conversation starters" will be tossed directly at the British public from buses, billboards and posters. The aim simply is to provoke them onto a website called britainthinks.com, where they can continue the conversation with their fellow opinionated citizens.

What a splendid brief. As someone brought up in the age of traditional advertising, I more than empathize with the need to constantly prove one's relevance. But more importantly, I live for eliciting  emotional responses from the public. Glen Beck, the poor man's Howard Beale, is my anti-hero. (remind me how Network ends again).

Imagine the letdown then. A headline like, "Career women make bad mothers" might seem snotty, but will it stir up feminist rage. Will working women of the UK rip of their panties in protest as they safari their way to britainthinks.com. Alas, I doubt it.

Then there's, "1966 - It won't happen this year". Again, not exactly the spark to light up the hooligan in one. Feels more like a discussion point on "Coffee Talk with Linda Richman".

So what could work? Glad you ask. Here are three suggestions:

• "Off with the queen's head - it's time."
• "We suck at everything. And always will."
• "Ashley Cole is an ugly bastard."
  

Riled up yet?

(Sharing credit to psfk)