If you're taking marketing classes in college, you've probably learned something about the practice of "ad jamming" or "culture jamming". If you haven't, the basic idea behind jamming is to subvert existing media to produce some kind of anti-consumerist or anti-mainstream message. Though technically illegal, for the most part, jamming is a fairly harmless practice and something which is widely practiced throughout the world. A good jumping off point to learn more is through Adbusters, a world-wide network of jammers and activists based in Vancouver.
Anyways, on to the point of my post. The Billboard Liberation Front, another culture jamming group has struck some Wachovia billboards in San Francisco, my new neck of the woods. I caught the finished results over at the Laughing Squid blog and was compelled to share them with all of you. In the light of the country's financial crisis, this jam is particularly bittersweet. The text of the accompanying press release can be found below the pictures.
--- --- --- --- ---
November 8, 2008
San Francisco, CAFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Intersection of Mission St.
and Cesear Chavez, NE corner
San Francisco
http://www.billboardliberation.com/burn.htmlDear Shareholders and Clients,
The Billboard Liberation Front has partnered with Wachovia to release a daring advertising campaign that celebrates Wachovia’s new money management strategy. This campaign emphasizes the silver lining in the economic storm front now threatening to swamp our economy as well as our individual fiscal inner tubes.
“The calamitous decline in the value of all investments and the impending total collapse of the dollar will render the true value of the average savings account or investment portfolio roughly equal to a bucket of warm piss,” noted Thomas J. Wurtz, CFO of Wachovia. Dr. John Silvia, Managing Director and Chief Economist noted: “After that golden shower we got from Golden West, we decided to fight fire with fire and start bailing for our clients and stockholders, mixed metaphors notwithstanding.”
This dramatic revaluation of your money has created the opportunity for our team at Wachovia to offer a unique service to our stockholders and clients. “With what promises to be the coldest winter in years now commencing, we’ve instructed our staff in all 21 States that we have offices in to start bundling greenbacks into tight rolls, perfect for small stoves and furnaces,” said Robert K. Steel CEO and President. “We believe this is the soundest application of our clients’ money.”
“‘We’re in the money. we’re in the money’ they sang in the 1920’s. Maybe we should be singing ‘Burn, Baby, Burn’ in light of the modern era of fiscal management,” - BLF CEO Jack Napier. Rico T. Spoons added, “The true value of this new campaign will be reflected in the ‘heat’ it generates for Wachovia’s clients.”
That’s right, you no longer have to worry about your money. As a matter of fact, don’t bother worrying at all.
The BLF (www.billboardliberation.com) has been improving outdoor advertising since 1977. Prior campaigns have included work for Exxon, R.J. Reynolds, and Apple Computers.
Wachovia Corporation (NYSE: WB), based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a diversified financial services holding company provided via its operating subsidiaries a broad range of banking, asset management, wealth management, and corporate and investment banking products and services.
The Department of the Treasury is a Cabinet department and the treasury of the United States government. It was established by an Act of Congress in 1789 to manage government revenue. The Department is administered by the Secretary of the Treasury.
Covertly Yours,
Milton Rand Kalman
BLF Chief Scientist
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