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Slate's Ad Report Card Whether pitching pickup trucks during a football game or devising a clever multimedia campaign, commercials can often be seen as an art. Or is it just that they're expensive, and short? Slate critic Seth Stevenson reviews the latest ads meant to capture America's hearts -- and wallets.
Special Series

Slate's Ad Report Card

Slate critic Seth Stevenson reviews the commercials out to capture our hearts and wallets.

Wednesday

Ad Report Card: Hummer H3 -- and Tofu?

Hummer is taking on a new marketing approach with the release of its smaller and more affordable H-3 model in hopes of broadening its appeal. Slate ad critic Seth Stevenson offers a review of the ad campaign.

Ad Report Card: Hummer H3 -- and Tofu?

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Wednesday

Ad Report Card: Apple's Sour Mac Pitch

Filmmaker Phil Morrison has turned his directing skills to a series of new ads for Macintosh computers. But does the match of Mac "coolness" versus IBM-clone "clunkiness" seem too mean-spirited?

Ad Report Card: Apple's Sour Mac Pitch

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Thursday

Slate's Ad Report Card: Wes Anderson's Card

Filmmaker Wes Anderson is famous for quirky, comic films such as The Royal Tenenbaums and Rushmore. Now he's winning new fans with his take on the American Express "My Card, My Life" ad campaign. Slate ad critic Seth Stevenson offers a review of the unique commercial.

Slate's Ad Report Card: Wes Anderson's Card

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Wednesday

Wednesday

Slate's Ad Report Card: The Century 21 Harpy

Slate advertising critic Seth Stevenson grades the latest commercials from real estate company Century 21, which feature a nagging wife and an agent listening in to what should be a private conversation.

Slate's Ad Report Card: The Century 21 Harpy

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Wednesday

Slate's Ad Report Card: Gatorade, Powerade Feud

Gatorade and Powerade are battling for the hearts of sports soft drink fans with television ad campaigns. But one Powerade ad, which touted that drink's lower calorie count, drew a lawsuit from Pepsi, Gatorade's parent company. Coke is the company behind Powerade. Slate contributor Seth Stevenson reports on the dispute.

Slate's Ad Report Card: Gatorade, Powerade Feud

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Thursday

On Television

Slate's Ad Report Card: The End of 'Priceless'

Slate contributor Seth Stevenson offers his take on what seems like the last breath of MasterCard's successful "Priceless" ad campaign, which has lasted nine years and spawned about 160 separate broadcast commercials. The new ad asks for viewers to fill in the blanks.

Slate's Ad Report Card: The End of 'Priceless'

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Wednesday

Slate's Ad Report Card: Obey Your VW Fast

Slate media critic Seth Stevenson reviews the new television ad campaign for Volkswagen. In the ads, a small, toy-like personification of a driver's "fast" compels VW owners to enjoy the open throttle -- and sometimes act like bratty frat brothers.

Slate's Ad Report Card: Obey Your VW Fast

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Wednesday

Opinion

Slate's Ad Report Card: Ford's iPod Focus

Slate contributor Seth Stevenson reviews the new television commercial for the Ford Focus. It features iPods prominently, although the car itself offers no integrated support for the devices.

Slate's Ad Report Card: Ford's iPod Focus

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Wednesday

On Television

Slate's Ad Report Card: Theraflu Sickness

Slate contributor Seth Stevenson reviews the new commercials promoting the flu and cold medication Theraflu. The campaign depicts sick people as disfigured monsters transformed back into regular humans with a single dose of Theraflu Thin Strips.

Slate's Ad Report Card: Theraflu Sickness

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Wednesday

Wednesday

Opinion

Slate's Ad Report Card: Drop Dead, Jaguar

Slate columnist Seth Stevenson reviews the new television ad campaign for the luxury car company Jaguar. The TV spots feature well-dressed, "gorgeous" people in exotic locations -- and just a hint of elitism that targets middle-aged men looking to attract younger women.

Slate's Ad Report Card: Drop Dead, Jaguar

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Wednesday

Slate's Ad Report Card: The Gap's Slick Campaign

Slate contributor Seth Stevenson dissects a new Gap ad the company developed to explain upcoming store renovations in certain cities. Stevenson says the company missed an opportunity to poke fun at its image troubles by using a big-budget, well-directed ad.

Slate's Ad Report Card: The Gap's Slick Campaign

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Wednesday

Slate's Ad Report Card: Schwab's Animated Spots

Slate columnist Seth Stevenson profiles a new ad campaign from the venerable Charles Schwab financial services firm. The new campaign features a hybrid live action/animation look focusing on the stories of middle-class investors.

Slate's Ad Report Card: Schwab's Animated Spots

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Wednesday