Silenzio Stampa - No more Italian furniture ads

While there's so much (justifiable) talk going on across the country of the draconian law that would totally inhibit freedom of the press (including bloggers) to the point that writing about democracy in Burma or Iran would be less threatening, I'm for making a specific clause against all Furniture advertisements - forever.  In a democracy, one could say that they are offensive to the entire population, except the proprietor of course, who generally features in the ad.

Or, in the very least, until they actually paid for a proper ad agency to come up with their ads, to be submitted to a blind panel for voting -- very simply - like / dislike, just like on Facebook.

That way, we would avoid some of the worst eye pollution this world has ever seen.

 NERO BURNT ROME...and we

BURN PRICES

This ad is so appalling on so many levels that my camera lens broke when I took the shot.  But, as a sort of Case Study for all you students out there of marketing communications, we can list the ADVERT DON'TS for you:

• DON'T Use the proprietor of the store in any ad - ever - unless George Clooney happens to go into retailing [and even then, Sly Stallone & Co. didn't mug for the Planet Hollywood franchise].
• If you're going to go to Ancient Rome, perhaps you might want to show positive images of improving Rome, not burning it down to the ground. If I were selling furniture, I'm thinking reclining couches with Caligula & Co. and then - hey - you can even use semi-nude showgirls; much more eye-appealing than a guy dressed in a Roman Emperor costume.
• If you're going to draw from history, at least get your facts straight: Nero did not let Rome burn - he was in Anzio at the time. Dan Brown would be well-advised to take particular note of this recommendation for future publications.
• If your point is Tax Free - you might want to use a tie-in like some Emperor who reduced or cut taxes - not the ones who used the treasury to finance their Golden Palaces, just like Saddam Hussein.  

For more incredibly outlandish bad ads - in the furniture industry, go here.
I rest my case.

Advertising Age of this Ad:  6 1/2 (out of 45 years)