Most of the time, a single facebook ad catches my attention as potentially fantastic drivel. Sometimes, multiple ads for the same thing provide the requisite irony (cf carrot and stick: paranormal). But here, it’s the juxtaposition that is truly fantastic. These two ads appeared as you see them now, one atop the other; a monument to the laser-precision of targeted advertising in the 21st century.
I never saw “Paranormal Activity” but I hear it was quite a scary flick. I read about it in my favourite magazine, Entertainment Weekly, and I had a few friends who saw it. I was also targeted with a couple of facebook ads, each using a different method to try to get me to shell out $10 to be really scared. Those aspiring advertisers out there will quickly recognise the classic techniques: the carrot, and the stick.
Stalker Tool? or Matchmaker?
The caption in the ad suggests “stalker tool” is the appropriate label for this service. But wait: facebook ads are targeted. Facebook knows I’m single. Facebook is always throwing ads my way to help me find a girlfriend. This one goes one step further: it shows me her location on a google map. Matchmaking made easy.