Cancelling my cable television was the best decision I’ve made in years. It has saved me countless hours that I would have spent watching commercials between my favourite shows, as well as all the other tripe I would have inevitably watched because I’ve got nothing else to do. Accessing these shows over the Intarwebz is quick and easy, without the time wasting commercials, or suggestion to tune in and watch junk programming. That being said, it has also hindered my ability to laugh with friends over that new “insert product” commercial that aired between Ben’s capture on Lost, and Starbuck’s demise on Battlestar Galactica. Case in point is eBay’s new TV ads, which advertised that the auction giant would give eBayer’s the opportunity to bid on airtime for their very own television commercials.
Some sellers, including the major networks, have rejected the process as something that would commoditize their inventory. eBay did however find interested networks, and has gone ahead with selecting a handful of auctioneers selling everything from automobiles to foosball tables. Each has also been given the opportunity to create their own stylized ad, which will appear on select, friendly networks. A brilliant idea, but perhaps a bit overkill to announce to all of the world that you’re selling your prom dress. Check out a video documenting the entire process over at Brainstorm9.