Aqua Teen Hunger Force Advertising Genius

I was driving to work this morning and was listening to the Opie and Anthony show for a few minutes and they were doing a bit on Boston Mayor Tom Menino's 2007 State of the City Address (video of which can be found here). Criticizing the grammar used throughout the speech and mispronunciation of Boston (as something like Bofsden, at a little past 20:40 on the video), they concluded that with a guy like this at the helm, it's no wonder the whole city flipped out when a few "blinking electronic signs displaying a profane, boxy-looking cartoon character" appeared along several roads and bridges. Now, had this event not been a hoax, the reaction would certainly be quite different; however, I am left to wonder what kind of weapon would look like a milkshake, a box of fries, and a meatball?

While meant to be a silly advertising bit that eight other cities didn't even notice, Boston, as has been widely reported, may have overreacted. In all seriousness, this overeaction in today's post-Sept. 11 society is probably a good thing. On the other hand, one may also conclude that the drivers who saw these blinking food products must have never seen a Lite-Brite or lit-up billboards for that matter. In any event, the hoopla surrounding this "hoax" has probably given the Aqua Teen Hunger Force more advertising then they would have gotten from say, paying the $2.6 million to put an ad on during this year's superbowl.

Collegehumor has posted the press conference of the two alleged suspects, and as they astutely note, this is probably one of the greatest press conferences ever.

And to make a simple observation - if Boston's hoax device law requires intent to cause a panic, I can't imagine how the intent to advertise could possibly cross over into some sort of constructive intent to cause the ensuing panic that resulted. This isn't a case of eggshell skull; rather, it seems to be a case of misdirected advertising consequences. Now, if Mike Nifong was on the case, this may become quite colorful; however, I would imagine this will result in either a fine (which, even if they had to pay back all of the emergency personnel costs would still pale to the amount of advertising they got out of this stunt) or a dismissal. On the other hand, they may be better off just pleading guilty to avoid a harsher sentence in case the state decides to get them under some sort of federal terrorist provision.

Tags: aqua teen hunger force, boston