As noted over on AdRants, this advertisement has got to be the absolutely dumbest advertising idea that anyone has ever come up with.   The advertisement consists of a picture of a cockroach on the inside of a pizza box, so that when you pick up the particular piece of pizza that is over the picture, it looks like you have a cockroach in the box.  It’s supposed to be an ad for a pest control company.

Though there are times when off beat advertising can be effective and humor can certainly sell a product.  However, there also has to be a degree of common sense involved.  Looking at the ad, is there really anyone who’s going to be so impressed by the wit of the ad that they will (a) keep the pizza box with the number and/or (b) ever call the advertiser for pest services.  It would seem very unlikely that they would.  Not to mention, as the pizza company, who would want even the implication that there could be insects in your food?  There is nothing about the ad that makes any sense. 

The lesson that can be taken from this is that before you authorize or accept an advertisement, you need to step back and think about the effect it will have on the potential customer.  If its more likely to gross out or anger the customer than to entice them, then you need to reconsider, even if you find it amusing or novel.