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February 6, 2012
Let's Start Off the Meeting With An Ad, OK?
Posted by Derek
I'm sitting in the main conference hall at the SLAS meeting as things get going. And I have to say, it's a big crowd, and there are some very interesting things on the agenda. But I've just seen something I've never seen before: an ad being played on the screens for the entire attending audience, just before the keynote address. Thermo Scientific has clearly put a lot of money into this meeting (as well they should), but sitting through a NFL-voice-over style ad during the kickoff to a scientific meeting ("The power to win!" is a real first.
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1. Thomas McEntee on February 6, 2012 12:08 PM writes...
This is so cool! Imagine how you'll feel when Microsoft starting selling ad space within its PowerPoint application, and when the keynote speaker moves from his title chart to his next, a Thermo Scientific ad flashes on screen with a little note 'Your content will appear in 15 seconds...'
Everything's for sale today...your peace of mind, your time, your livlihood, your future.
Permalink to Comment2. JB on February 6, 2012 12:24 PM writes...
Sponsorships available from premier to diamond, platinum, gold, silver. I was hoping they would keep going to lead which is the company sponsoring the trash cans. Check the bathrooms over the urinals, haven't checked this year but last year biotek had some funny ads placed there.
Permalink to Comment3. DV Henkel-Wallace on February 6, 2012 1:29 PM writes...
Funny, I just attended a conference where the same thing happened with a Novartis ad. It was an international feelgood video that didn't really say anything, with pictures of happy people, words in various languages drifting around, and pictures of scientists (I knew they were scientists because they wore lab coats held flasks with colorful liquids in them).
Permalink to CommentThe fun part was they accidentally sent the version with the Italian soundtrack. People sat through it surprisingly politely. Perhaps we were all waiting for the punch line.
4. Dr. Manhattan on February 6, 2012 3:55 PM writes...
Can the first ever "wardrobe" malfunction at a scientific meeting be far behind? Actually, now that I think about it, that's already happened....
Permalink to Comment5. MoMo on February 6, 2012 4:39 PM writes...
I warned you Dr. Lowe. All those scientists in one locale that want to automate drug discovery the Fordian/Krockian way is frightening. What did you expect anyway? Did they highlight molecule dispensors shaped like ketchup guns?
It is a battle of form versus function, and the form is winning.
Permalink to Comment6. startup on February 6, 2012 6:39 PM writes...
I predict that ACS soon will wake up and the requested paper will be preceeded by a short message from their sponsors.
Permalink to Comment7. johnnyboy on February 6, 2012 8:28 PM writes...
As we all know, if there's something that scientists really love and appreciate, it's commercials. Thermo sales are going to go through the roof after this !!!
Permalink to Comment8. doc on February 6, 2012 9:10 PM writes...
Thermo is now my #2 choice, after "everyone else".
I'm not suggesting a boycott...just that the easiest way not to have to put up with this is to defund the marketing department.
Permalink to Comment9. cynical1 on February 7, 2012 2:30 AM writes...
@ startup: "I predict that ACS soon will wake up and the requested paper will be preceeded by a short message from their sponsors."
So they'll be in Mandarin?
Permalink to Comment10. newnickname on February 7, 2012 11:45 AM writes...
If they (anyone!) will generously fund my research, I will put their logo on all of my slides and wear their insignia clothing and accessories!
Nothing beats a
Coke and pizza.
The Pepsi Generation of New Drug Discovery
(Newbury Comics Logo here)
Permalink to Comment11. Jon on February 7, 2012 3:50 PM writes...
I might take a short ad before a journal article if it meant I could see it for free.
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