I have received a few e-mails objecting to the MS-NBC ad running in the Premium strip, asking me why I approved the graphic and/or why I don't cancel it. It's a fair question, and I'll throw the comments open for debate on the topic.

First, on the ad itself, the graphic shows the outline of a female torso and the word "Porn". I don't find the outline objectionable; I've seen bra ads that reveal much more. In fact, the ad just above it features a woman modeling an anti-ACLU T-shirt that has more curve (and a much more realistic image), and yet I don't consider that objectionable either. The word "porn" has appeared on this blog in the context of discussion and debate; I don't shy away from it, although sometimes I spell it "p0rn" to keep the Googlebots from delivering me fresh readership under false pretenses.

MS-NBC has made an initial ad buy with Henry Copeland of BlogAds that could assist him in opening up blog advertising to Fortune 500 companies on a regular basis. As a client of BlogAds, that means a larger and more lucrative advertising market for CQ and a better opportunity to expand the work I do here as a result. We were warned ahead of time on the MS-NBC ad, told that it would be as tasteful as possible but would probably still generate some controversy, and given the opportunity to opt out. I felt that as long as we didn't display realistic nudity, it would not create a serious problem.

The ad itself is due to rotate out either tonight or tomorrow, I believe, in favor of another topic altogether. In the meantime, if any CQ readers find the image offensive, I understand your feelings. However, I don't agree, and I hope that those who disagree with me can respect that as much as I respect their differing opinions.

The comments section is now open for the debate ...

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry is

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference About The Ad ...:

» BlogAds Takes Ad Order For 800 Blogs From MSNBC (Update) from Inside Online Advertising
BlogAds took an order from MSNBC a few days ago to place an ad on 800 blogs, a new record for BlogAds. Diggers Realm was the recipient of one of those orders and it is currently up and running. The... [Read More]

Tracked on December 13, 2005 12:27 AM

» BlogAds Takes Ad Order For 800 Blogs From MSNBC (Update) from Inside Online Advertising
BlogAds took an order from MSNBC a few days ago to place an ad on 800 blogs, a new record for BlogAds. Diggers Realm was the recipient of one of those orders and it is currently up and running. The... [Read More]

Tracked on December 13, 2005 12:32 AM

» BlogAds Takes Ad Order For 800 Blogs From MSNBC (Update 2) from Inside Online Advertising
BlogAds took an order from MSNBC a few days ago to place an ad on 800 blogs, a new record for BlogAds. Diggers Realm was the recipient of one of those orders and it is currently up and running. The... [Read More]

Tracked on December 13, 2005 8:56 PM