Nun-Priest Snog Gets Ice Cream Ad Banned

Picture talking pill bottles and constant monitoring, writes Alex Poulos

(NEWSER) - If you think ads are inescapable now, just wait a few decades, writes Alex Poulos in the Boston Globe . Future generations will laugh at our primitive tech know-how; the question is “who will laugh last. And I’m afraid it won’t be the consumer,” he writes. Expect ads that are:

• “Intrusive.” The backs of cabs will have scrolling ads, and pill bottles will have audio messages when you open them.

Actor Paul Marcarelli breaks his silence

(NEWSER) - Verizon's iconic "Test Man" ad character is being dropped after nearly a decade—and after being silent for much of that time, actor Paul Marcarelli is finally talking. Marcarelli, who said "Can you hear me now?" in hundreds of ads, says the company let him know last fall that they plan to take their advertising in a different direction. His original five-year contract with the company had banned him from taking other commercial work or discussing any aspect of the ad campaign, he tells the Atlantic . Now, he is still under contract, but eager to promote an upcoming project. More»

She may sue over 'Baby Gaga' name in London

(NEWSER) - Breast milk ice cream is back on sale in London: Though British authorities seized the "Baby Gaga" ice cream upon its debut a few weeks ago, a government council has approved the product after running health tests, reports NPR , which rounds up British coverage. But the confection shop The Icecreamists, which pioneered the flavor, may face a more potent adversary—Lady Gaga. More»

Celebs making up to $50K per month pitching products to fans

(NEWSER) - American celebrities are raking in up to $50,000 a month for tweeting on behalf of brands. A single shout-out from 50 Cent or Snoop Dogg, for instance, can earn them $5,000, finds the Sun . The pay-per-tweet model is now heading across the pond, and UK celebs won't be required to use "spon" or "ad" to mark paid tweets. A government official urged the country's famous folk to tweet responsibly: "If people don't reveal a tweet is paid for it could undermine fans' trust," he warns. (Click here to find out how not to be a jerk on Twitter.) More»

Kotex commercials aim for a bit more reality

(NEWSER) - Tampon ads make your period seem downright fun, typically featuring girls clad in white, twirling around on the beach or perhaps doing yoga. One tampon company, however, is calling those ads what they are: ridiculous. “How do I feel about my period? I love it,” says the woman featured in a new Kotex commercial. “Sometimes I just want to run on a beach,” she continues, as clips from old, stereotypical Kotex ads are shown. “Usually, by the third day, I really just want to dance.” More»