Why read when you can zone out with headphones on? If there are any stragglers left who still read books, don’t bother. Audible.com says its new ad campaign, which directs you to DontRead.org and a newly redesigned version of Audible.com, is “a satirical homage to the American Library Association’s ‘Read’ public service announcement posters.” A digital audio player built into the online ads allows users to listen to audio clips directly. The campaign was done by Agency.com. —Posted by Tim Nudd

December 12, 2005 | Permalink

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Posted by: marsian | Dec 12, 2005 4:50:00 PM

I think Audible REALLY missed its mark on this campaign. Not just by little bit, either. I have been a recorded books READER for the past 15 years. I also read lots of print books and eBooks. The audio book experience IS reading. For audible to dumb down the audio book experience with this ludicrous campaign is a huge insult to its subscribers (of which I am one).

Posted by: TF | Dec 13, 2005 2:23:40 PM

I think this was a mistake. If kids start seeing this they won't want to read at all--and they won't want to listen to books later either cause they won't be interested in books.

Posted by: Carrie | Dec 13, 2005 8:06:26 PM

Commentary on this campaign can be found at http://www.tfwrites.com/marketing-blog-by-trish/2005/12/14/audiblecom-dont-read-campaign-totally-misses-the-mark.html

Posted by: TF | Dec 14, 2005 8:06:38 AM

2 comments:
1) Yes, this campaign will cause waves of child illiteracy, so much so that we won't be able to function as a nation...

To say that kids will stop reading because of these ads is one of the most ignorant things I have ever read. Just completely absurd.

2) In an era where political correctness has circumvented (maybe I should say engulfed) society, people are way too sensitive and are beginning to lack a sense of humor. For those of us who grew up with the "Read" posters, I think this is a fitting tribute. It's very funny and I am am going to make my first Audible purchase because it caught my eye.

Posted by: Saphron Jenkins | Dec 14, 2005 11:16:37 AM

Too bad the mouth breathers had to steal their campaign from the ALA ( www.ala.org ). And the ALA read campaign actually is still going on. Saw another article that said ALA sent audible a cease and desist around Jan 6. I'm surprised they didn't just go straight after Akamai where the content is being hosted and where there are much deeper pockets. It isn't like Akamai is going to care about a small fish like audible.

Posted by: asdf | Jan 28, 2006 12:09:42 AM

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