Porn

Cable companies may be raising their subscription rates – but apparently they’re starting to lower the cost of On-Demand-Porn channels. In addition, they’re starting to promote these services on ESPN and Spike TV.

Liquor

You may not have noticed, but major networks are loosening their rules on hard liquor advertising. Wine and beer have been allowed for years, but hard liquor has been a no-no. Absolut vodka ads were carried on the Grammy Awards. The first time in years that liquor ads ran in prime time.

Scene from Absolut TV spot

Gambling

Las Vegas may be in a recession, but spending by some local casinos is up. People appear to be looking for some diversions or get-rich-fast schemes during hard times.

Diets

“Belly fat” and “First Flat Stomach Rule” web ads suddenly seem like they’re coming out of the woodwork. Its not that they’re new; it’s just that websites in the past would have turned down this type of ad. But with revenues down they’re opening their doors to all kinds of low-end direct response ads and even pop-ups are coming back.

So, until the economy gets rolling again, we can all expect to see the worst of advertising, rather than the cream, rising to the top.