It has been reported in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and other media outlets
that advertisers are starting to place pop-up ads into TV programming, much like
the annoying ones on the Internet.
They claim that viewers are just ignoring traditional 30 second commercials, or
zapping them with personal video recorders, such as Tivo. These Ads have already
appeared on TNT. American Express has bought pop-up ads in sixteen movies this
year, such as Father Of The Bride II. Reports published so far have
considered the possibility that the ads might be annoying, and that viewers
might complain, but have not revealed the real problem with these ads.
We were contacted recently by Dr. Reynard Osborne of The Center for the Institute of Studies. He told us that he had seen one of the ads, and immediately applied for an American Express card. When reviewing a VHS of Father Of The Bride II, which he had recorded so his daughter could watch, he noticed some disturbing single frames. The pop-up ads contained subliminal messages. They not only drove him to want the product mentioned, but to not feel annoyed by what would have otherwise been quite a distraction.
We wanted to confirm his findings, so we had his tape sent to Brandine University, where it was analyzed by Psychology and Hypnotherapy expert, Dr. Janis Thayne. She not only confirmed Dr. Osborne's findings, but told us more. "It's insidious how they placed these ads. They are not in the front and center of the screen, but off to the side, and near the bottom. They only appear briefly. Since you barely notice them, they only enter your peripheral awareness. This opens the door wide to the subconscious mind." She went on to add, "These could have only been made with the aid of professional hypnotists. I've only seen such efficient use of mind-control before in military projects. I shudder to imagine what people can be made to do with these pop-up messages!"
UPDATE:
The practice of inserting ads with subliminal messages has continued. Now, the
fake billboards inserted into sporting events such as auto racing, and the World
Series contain signals aimed at the subconscious. The Billboard seen here
is not really on the wall, but appears only on TV. Producers still claim that
these fake signs are only intended to replace the commercials users of personal
video recorders are zapping. Doctors Thayne and Osborne have discovered that
they contain the same subliminal messages as pop-up ads. Dr. Thayne went on to
add, "These fake billboards may be even more effective than pop ups. The
subliminal suggestions depend on you barely noticing the ads, and a pop-up might
draw your conscious mind, diminishing their power. It is greatly disturbing to
see how unscrupulous money grabbing advertisers have become."