Here is Advertising Age's list of the Top 10 ad icons of the 20th century. These recognizable images have been crowned the most powerful in the marketplace. The criteria with which these were chosen include effectiveness, longevity, recognizability and cultural impact. The Marlboro Man - Marlboro cigarettes Ronald McDonald - McDonald's restaurants The Green Giant - Green Giant vegetables ...

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New York ISP, Comcast, is planning to sign an agreement stating that they will block access to all newsgroups and websites that have been found to distribute child pornography. The agreement was drafted by NY Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo and has been signed by all the big ISP's in the NY area. Comcast was one of the last ones to come on board. According to Mike Sachoff at WPN "...internet...

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Our friends over at JibJab have done it again. Here's the new OBama and McCain animated short from JibJab. Welcome to the week.

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I have always thought that people driving pickups as their primary vehicle was a relatively new concept. Pickups are getting nicer and definitely more comfortable. I saw this December 1965 ad and started thinking back to when I was a child. I don't remember anyone that I knew or my family knew that drove a pickup. We all had station wagons from what I can recall. Most people even pulled...

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I decided to take a break for a little bit and wandered over to a client's motorcycle shop. They just happen to be a Can-Am dealer AND they just happened to have the new Spyder by Can-Am in. Oh yes cowboys and cowgirls, it is one primo ride. 2 wheels in the front and one fatty in the back, the Spyder is all business. It has so much power that you can effortlessly roll that rear tire over in...

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I have never mentioned it before but if you would like, you can follow me on Twitter. I don't have anything profound or important to say. It's just fun I guess. It's kind of like having a mini blog. Anyway, here's the address. Big Pops on Twitter.

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You know them, you love them, and most of you can sing the words to them. They are advertising jingles. A short tune with lyrics that contribute to a brand's awareness and below are the top ten jingles from the last 100 years. 1. You deserve a break today (McDonalds) 2. Be all that you can be (U.S. Army) 3. Pepsi Cola Hits the Spot (Pepsi Cola) 4. M'm, M'm good (Campbell's) 5. See the USA...

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I think I was slapped by Google. I have read about it, I have been warned and I have seen it happen to others. I figured I'm not out there creating any waves so they will be nice to me unless I had a big traffic site. Well it turns out I did. I was getting a ton of traffic on a little site that I threw together some time ago and I didn't even know it. You see, I have a simple fan site for an...

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So you think you're an equipment operator. I beg to differ. This guy has one up on most heavy equipment operators that I know. Even though I'm sure there is an OSHA violation in there somewhere, you have to admit it is pretty impressive. Happy Monday

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Before Columbine and Virginia Tech there was a time when someone thought a gun was a great "Gift Idea." This ad comes from the December 1967 issue of Outdoor Life. 1967 was a simpler time indeed. This was the time before background checks and 3 day waiting periods. As I looked at this ad, I realized something. The item in the ad hasn't changed in over 40 years. It's still a piece of...

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How does 235 miles per gallon sound? Impossible you say? Think again. According to Wired.com, VW's new "One Liter" car is bringing new meaning to the term fuel efficiency. The new concept car's body is made entirely of carbon fiber which allows for a total vehicle weight of only 660 pounds. Originally scheduled to launch in 2012, VW has decided ready the vehicle for market 2 years ahead of...

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I got back in town and I am finally getting back at it. Of course, when I got back to the office, Qwest was having issues and for the last 2 days so my Internet at the office has been on the blink. It never ceases to amaze me how crippling it is when you loose something like the Internet. Anyway we had a great time in the woods of Northern Wisconsin. Around the area are miles and miles of...

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In March of 1965 there was a campaign that ran before the "I'd walk a mile for a Camel" campaign and it was called "Camel Time." Here is one such ad. I think this guy is having his Camel Time in a ski lodge. It looks like he is holding a ski pole. In light of the Iowa ban on smoking that went into effect July 1st, it makes you think how times have changed. Doctors used to smoke in exam...

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If you don't think that your business needs a website or if you think that Internet marketing of your site isn't necessary, you are missing the boat. Even today, in this world of technology on demand, I have talked with several business owners that don't think they need a website. They typically say, "I have all the business I want." Believe it or not there are even multi-million dollar...

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No girls allowed! I guess women didn't like a gin Collins back in July of 1965. Sounds like a refreshing beverage to me, but then again, I am a "MAN." Actually this is one of several ads in a long running campaign from the mid-60's that attempted to make 7-up the preferred mixer of choice. Most of them did target men. As I run across the others I will make sure I post them as a follow up...

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Well I do and that's why I am putting up this post. I have been reading JohnCow since the day it hit the net and now he is going to reward me for all of my dedication by giving me an iPhone 3G. I guess I am telling you about the contest just as something to talk about. Don't expect to win, even in you enter. Anyway, go here to find out about all the ways you can get tickets in the pot. I...

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Things that are an irritation to me. Expensive social reform programs that accomplish no reform at all.Flat Pillows. 12 year old girls having babies.Women who wear next to nothing and get mad when you stare. You give up your rights to be mad when you wear a skirt that shows your underwear and tops that barely cover your raisins.Water in my basement. Not allowing drug testing for welfare...

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Happy Monday! I know I missed a couple of these but I am back on track now that the flood waters have receded. Remember, the WIFIMEM posts are not verified or confirmed in anyway. I just post 'em as I get 'em. Here's the story as I received it. It happened in Shishmaref, AK. Shishmaref is in the Nome-region of Alaska, up north, on the west coast. A photographer was attempting to take some...

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Ah yes, the age old concept of a cross brand promotional partnership. However, this is a very unique pairing to say the least. This ad for Crosman Air Rifles featuring Green Giant green beans comes from June of 1966. The copy states, "Enjoy the delicious flavor of Green Giant brand products, then save the cans for target shooting with America's newest, most exciting fun gun... Crosman's...

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Firefox 3.0 is out! OH, you aren't using the Fox yet? So what are you using, IE? Silly person, check out what you have been missing. In case you need some more data, here are the numbers. In the first 24 hours over 8 million people downloaded FF 3.0 to set a new world recordFirefox is said to have cured ringworm in 29% of the casesAs of today almost 12 million have downloaded it since "download...

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I am specifically referring to the newspaper and the yellow pages. How much do you spend on advertising in the yellow pages? Are there 2 or 3 yellow page books in your market and are you in all of them? Does the newspaper work for you? I have published several posts about the death of newspaper and how the industry is in turmoil. Newspapers across the country have been taking hits in circulation...

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Finally I am able to get back in the office and establish some sense of normalcy. For those of you who were wondering what was going on, here's the scoop. Pretty much the entire state of Iowa has had massive flooding. In fact, 83 (at last count), of the 99 counties in Iowa have been deemed disaster areas. I didn't think I had anything to worry about. Heck, I didn't even think we were in...

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The Internet is down all over the place and is sporadic at best. I am at home where my ISP has just come back online. Will update you all soon.

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Our building has water up to the door. It may take a couple days before I get another post up. I have pictures! Stay tuned.

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Some of you know that the area I live in has been hammered by tornados, floods and other bad weather. But here's a story about a man who thought he had lost it all. Dan Bleeker of Parkersburg, Iowa lost his Mother, his Home, his possessions, and his dogs during the EF5 tornado that devastated the small Iowa town. Once Dan saw the tornado coming, his wife and grandson ran for the basement. Dan...

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