Tonight at 9pm on ABC1 a new show hosted by Wil Anderson called The Gruen Transfer will attempt to give an advertising industry insiders view of the secrets of how they so easily sell products to consumers.

In The Gruen Transfer (named after the psychological effect shopping malls have on the human mind, first theorised by the architect Victor Gruen), Anderson and a team of advertising executives will pick over the various ads we see, identifying just which tricks are being used and assessing why they work.
via SMH

I will be curious to see if because of the show if there is any ad industry backlash or heightened consumer awareness of the tactics which advertisers then object to the ‘insiders’ revealing.

ABC1 ran spoof commercials that received more than 200 complaints by people confused that adverts were being shown on the ad-free public broadcaster. The promos (below) have been produced by award winning Sydney ad agency with the best business name ever – Three Drunk Monkeys,

Gruen Beauty

Gruen Bank

Gruen Beer

It has always fascinated me how a company like Apple can make much more complex devices like mp3 players and mobile phones unbelievably easy to use as well as sexy yet telly manufacturers continue to mess up a basic device like a remote control. Then when you add the frustration of multiple remotes for all your electronics it feels like the world is conspiring against couch dwelling people keen to enjoy their plasma.

The universal remote control is meant to be the answer and Trend Hunter has come up with a Top 10 list of the best ones.

The only two that show any real promise are David Chacon’s Tablet Concept and the InVoca 3.0 Voice Activated Remote Control. Most of the rest are over the top impractical ideas that would probably make the situation worse. The dire situation being sitting on your bum watching the teev, but still, we strive for a perfect world where we have one remote that is awesome.

I remember in high school I thought about collecting the animation cells of the opening couch scene from The Simpsons. Watching this video makes me wish I did more than just think about it. It is such a way cool feature of one the best television shows of all time.

Not watching it ourselves and have logged out of any social networks where it is currently being discussed. Not for an Australian Family Association style moral objections or dislike of the show itself. It is just that we have no level of tolerance to the sheer nothingness of Kyle and Jackie.

But, who are we but humble internet scribes to deny others the joy of a voyeuristic television show. Which is why we will tell you where on the web you can get the best Big Brother gossip.

Ignore any and all news stories on mainstream media sites. There is only one web site you need and that is Behind Big Brother.

Any rumours, stories and scandals that are published elsewhere have all been sourced at the veritable pez dispenser of house gossip first. Some of the people who write at this web site as well as those who participate in the message boards must have every camera feed from the house being streamed directly into their frontal cortex. Is quite mind blowing to see their knowledge and commentary of all things BB. Enjoy!