Joe Marconi

Who doesn’t like a good laugh? In product promotion, funny presenters, humorous commercials, novelty items and even clowns are among the most reliable and memorable devices. Solemn speakers, teachers and preachers often open presentations with a joke. But apparently, the climate change that accompanies global warming has left us with thinner skins. People are not so easily amused by marketers’ jocular antics these days—many answering back with angry blogs, anti-advertiser Web sites, press releases dripping with indignant outrage and a spokesperson for every occasion camped in at CNN. You don’t think that ad is funny? Tell the advertiser what you think and, while you’re