As Barack Obama plans a massive trip abroad and touts his foreign policy philosophy, John McCain has released his first attack ad, which attempts to cast doubt on Obama’s commitment to international causes.

You may not know this, but George Clooney has been the face of Martini vermouth since 2004. His ads often pop up on European television, where he thinks American audiences won’t find him and realize, in addition to lending his name to charitable causes, he lends his name to corporate come ons.

Here’s his latest spot, which, like his previous ads, features Clooney with a moustache, and uttering the one word he knows in Italian.

But analyzing the ad under another context makes it more interesting. In 2005, Britain’s Code of Advertising changed the rules for liquor ads, requiring them not to link alcohol to “seduction, sexual activity or sexual success.” However, romance and flirtation are … Continued…

Here are two of 23/6’s suggestions for South Carolina’s “So Gay” ad campaign, which gay group SC Pride will fund. The Tourism bureau, you’ll recall, originally squashed the ad, but SC Pride raised the money on their own.

Governor Mark Sanford was a particularly vocal opponent of the campaign, so we bet he won’t be laughing at these mock-ups. We are, though.

Designer and self-professed pun master Kenneth Cole signed off on this billboard for his new line of briefs. We agree with copyranter - Cole needs to chill with this shit.

Let the model’s penis speak for itself.

“Tomorrow we are going to vote to launch a campaign to fund raise the necessary money to pay the marketing company to keep [the So Gay] campaign going… We at the SC Pride Movement believe that South Carolina can be a gay-friendly tourist destination as we say that SC will be “So Gay” during our Sept 20th Festival and Parade featuring RuPaul. This comes in reaction to a recent marketing campaign in London, UK that was canceled by the SC Parks Department. We feel that this campaign, and others should continue!” [SC Pride]

Of all the people pissed over South Carolina’s squashed “So Gay” ad campaign, perhaps it was Republican Governor Mark Sanford who was the most furious: [When] Sanford learned that his state was being advertised as a gay tourism destination, he ordered a Cabinet-level department head “to do the right thing personnel-wise or process-wise to ensure this does not happen again,” Sanford’s spokesman Joel Sawyer told Q-Notes.
…
In the Governor’s office, Sawyer said that the state will not promote itself as a tourist destination through campaigns “aimed at a specific group of people.”

Sawyer said the “so gay” ad should have been “run up the flagpole,” but did not know whether any standard procedures were … Continued…

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn’s no homo, but that hasn’t stopped an enterprising gay hookup site from using his image in their adverts. Look! It’s almost like he’s calling you!

[Via Boi From Troy]

South Carolina’s tourism board continues to reel from last week’s decision not to join a pro-homo ad campaign.

At least one tourism employee resigned in the wake of the brouhaha, which began after an unidentified employee gave an international “so gay” campaign the green light - a move that had not been approved by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. While some lawmakers remain furious at the Department, others are wondering if the board made the right move: Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, a Democrat, said he has not seen the ad. But he said reaching out to gay and lesbian travelers is good business.

“How you do an advertising campaign in good … Continued…

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama today released yet another new campaign ad.

While his previous advertorial endeavors have focused largely on his biography and political evolution, the new 30-second spot - entitled “America’s Leadership” - broadens the candidate’s perspective a bit by taking on the “greatest threat” against America: nukes. [The] commercial is being released on the same day that Senator Barack Obama is giving what his campaign billed as a “major policy address” on Iraq and Afghanistan in Washington, D.C., and when his opponent, Senator John McCain is in New Mexico, offering his views on the wars. The ad also aims at reinforcing Mr. Obama’s opinion that the war against terrorism … Continued…

John McCain’s sure is spending his wealth of cash well.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee today released a new ad in Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada in which he praises Hispanic people’s dedication to the American dream, particularly with regard to military service. The audio comes from a Republican primary debate last year.

This is the second ad McCain and his camp have released this week. They previously released “Love,” a thinly veiled attack against Democratic challenger Barack Obama. This fresh advert goes by the patronizing name of “God’s Children.” You mean Hispanic people are the same as white folk?! You’re blowing our minds, McCain!

South Carolina’s gay no more. Well, their tourism board isn’t, anyway.

Hoping to profit on the pink dollar, an eager beaver state tourism agent signed up with London-based Amro Worldwide to market the Palmetto State to the gays. South Carolina would have joined London, Atlanta, New Orleans and a host of other cities in the “So Gay” campaign.

The deal would require the state to pay $1.4 million, as well as cost about $5,000 from the tourism agency.

Conservative politicians were displeased, to say the least, and squashed the plan…
Continued…

John McCain may be the supportive subject of this new campaign ad, called “Love,” but Barack Obama definitely provides the thrust of the message. Or, rather, takes the brunt of the message.

Like Obama’s recent advertorial offerings, this one minute spot provides some biographical information on McCain, particularly with regard to his time as POW and how it inspired his public service. With that background out of the way, the President Palmer-esque narrator turns his rhetorical attention to McCain’s Democratic rival: John McCain doesn’t always tell us what we ‘hope’ to hear… Beautiful words cannot make our lives better. But a man who has always put his country and her people before self, … Continued…

So, remember Heinz’s “gay” commercial that caused that big stink, nearly gave Bill O’Reilly a coronary and ended up getting yanked? If not, we’ve included it above.

Anyway, Britain’s advertising authority announced today that they will not be investigating complaints: The UK’s advertising regulator has decided not to investigate Heinz’s “male kiss” TV ad, despite 215 complaints from viewers that it was offensive and “inappropriate to see two men kissing”.

Heinz’s TV ad for its new Deli Mayo line, which features two men sharing a brief kiss, has caused an international furore after the food company decided to pull the ad off air after less than a week.

However, the Advertising Standards Authority said … Continued…

Barack Obama’s at it again. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee today released another commercial highlighting his personal background.

Just last month the Senator from Illinois let loose a different biographical advertorial, “Country I Love,” a keen attempt to fight back at all that “he’s not a patriot” propaganda.

Unlike his previous efforts, this new offering - entitled “Dignity,” as in the dignity “that comes from work” - stresses Obama’s post-law degree commitment to the working class and struggling families. And, as an added twist, Obama’s airing this ad in traditionally Republican states. Purple America, here we come!

They’re here! And definitely queer. That’s right, ladies and gents, it’s time once again for non-profit Commercial Closet’s Image in Advertising Awards, which celebrate positively homo inclusion in marketing and commercial ventures. This year’s nominees include Dolce & Gabbana, Levi’s and a host of other same-sex loving companies.

We’ve included this commercial for travel agency Orbitz, which has been nominated in the “Outstanding Commercial (Mainstream Market)” category. And, yes, that is model-cum-actor Marcus Patrick.

Check out the rest of the nominees - and the watch the commercials - over at Commercial Closet.