POET Waxes Ethanolic

June 24, 2010 By Dan Goldgeier 5 Comments

It’s an unusual approach for a company that produces cellulosic ethanol, but I’m intrigued by POET.

I like the attitude of these spots, and the facts at the end are very effective. Unfortunately, the setup of these spots mirrors much of our attitude about weaning ourselves off of foreign oil: No one seems to give a crap.

Filed Under: Brands

About Dan Goldgeier

Blogging on AdPulp since 2005, Dan Goldgeier is a Seattle-based freelance copywriter with experience at advertising agencies across the U.S. He is a graduate of the Creative Circus ad school, and currently teaches at Seattle's School of Visual Concepts. In addition, he is a regular columnist for TalentZoo.com. Dan published the best of his TalentZoo.com columns in a book entitled View From The Cheap Seats: A Broader Look at Advertising, Marketing, Branding, Global Politics, Office Politics, Sexual Politics, and Getting Drunk During a Job Interview. Look for it on Amazon in paperback and e-book editions.

http://www.adpulp.com/ David Burn

Nice one, Dan. I’d not heard of this company until now. “Part time scientist, full time poet” is solid copy. Rock solid.
http://YesTruebloodIsMyRealName.com Mark Trueblood

Yeah, I’ve been seeing these a lot because they play on MSNBC.
My Iowan ancestors may curse me for this, but ethanol’s biggest benefit is that it gives presidential candidates a way to butter up voters in Iowa’s presidential primary.
Ethanol is barely economically viable, only because of massive corporate welfare from states and the federal government. Not only that, it requires a ton of water to create (which is another diminishing resource) and quite a bit of petroleum-based fuels to make work.
Ethanol technology may get better over time.
But the only way we’re going to cut reliance on petroleum is to cut our driving and shipping. With as much government spending as goes to propping up the dysfunctional status quo, it’s simply not true we can’t afford conservation.
http://www.adpulp.com Dan Goldgeier

Mark, that’s how I first saw this too– MSNBC. Sometimes a good ol’ 30-second spot can still pique my curiosity. And you’re right about Ethanol subsidies and Iowa–the road to White House starts (and ends for a lot of candidates) with the Iowa caucuses. But right now, Ethanol sure sounds better than Gulf full of sludge. POET’s timing is good in that sense.
http://YesTruebloodIsMyRealName.com Mark Trueblood

“But right now, Ethanol sure sounds better than Gulf full of sludge. POET’s timing is good in that sense.”
I understand. I just wish somebody would be willing to say “Don’t buy a house two hours away from where you work” or “ride the bus when possible.”
http://adpulp.com David Burn

@Mark – Someone is saying it. His name is James Howard Kunstler. http://www.kunstler.com/