Another good Fark Link: Retailers experiment with human pop-up ads

Ahh.. I love Fark.com. I just HAD to post this one here..

http://www.thespeciousreport.com/2002_mallpopup.html

I did the bolding...

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Retailers experiment with "human pop-up windows"

The stalled U.S. economy has prompted many businesses to find more creative ways to market their products and services. The Galleria in Marietta, Georgia has tried borrowing a concept from the internet and adapting it to the real world.

Visitors to this suburban Atlanta mall may at any moment find their casual window-shopping interrupted by a pushy insurance agent, an insistent car salesman, or even a nude woman.

Glenn Cochon, of DC&B Promotions, says the week-long experiment has met with mixed results.

"We've done some fine-tuning since we first launched the campaign," Cochon explains. "Originally we tried to recreate the internet pop-up experience by having our associates dress in loud colors and leap out of nowhere. We also encouraged jumping back and fourth in front of the prospect if they tried to turn away - anything to make a sale, short of grabbing their shoulders and shaking them."

After several unfortunate incidents, frequently resulting in bloody noses or pepper spray injuries, Cochon said the methods had to be refined.

"We instructed our associates to try standing behind people and making 'subtle suggestions'. Sometimes they might even reach around and jiggle a flyer or business card in their faces."

Retail sales at the Galleria have declined by 68 percent since the campaign began. But Cochon is hopeful shoppers will grow to tolerate the concept.

"Actually, we've had better luck using the naked girls," Cochon said optimistically. "Most men don't seem to mind, so we'll be focusing on that now."

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My favorite part is "Retail sales at the Galleria have declined by 68 percent since the campaign began. But Cochon is hopeful shoppers will grow to tolerate the concept." It's obvious that this Cochon guy is an idiot. Everyone on the internet HATES pop-up ads, and this guy thinks that bringing them into the world is a good idea? And perhaps the internet should learn from this guy's mistake... POP-UP ADS DO NOT GET YOU CUSTOMERS!!