should i take the money and run?

I expect you're wondering what's going on around here these days? Nothing but questions, isn't it? And posts without pictures - that's not how it's meant to be, now is it?

But I've just been asked if I'd like to be paid to post a video feature which advertises beer. Yes, you read that right: beer. And not even designer beer. But the sort of beer that scallywags in Liverpool down by the four-pack. Before they hot wire the beemer. (By the way, if you're from Liverpool, I'm just pulling your leg. There's no offence intended.)

Of course, they haven't told me exactly how much money. But you can bet your bottom dollar that it'll be considerably less than they'd pay to get the same video onto TV. And there's a condition: 75% of you have to be over the age of 18. So how am I supposed to know how old you are?

What shall I do? Shall I take the money and run? Or should I tell them where to stick it?

And if I do take the money, do I draw the line at alcohol? Or shall I go for for broke and hustle around for a tobacco deal, and maybe a little porn on the side?

Your wish is my command, as it were.

Comments

[Richard]

Advertising is a dirty, dirty business. Have nothing to do with it! Filthy, smutty, sordidness. Dirty, filthy mucky stuff. Mucky, filthy, sordid, smutty, dirtiness...But let me know how you get on.

[David Airey]

It's common practice to sample the product before making a decision. If it comes down to it, I suppose I could help.

[davidthedesigner]

Richard and David: I have sampled the product (not today, though, I must admit). However, I'd still prefer a decent bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Do you understand my dilemma?

[Winnie]

I'm sorry - they want you to say that 75% of your readers are over 18? How are you to prove this? How are they to prove this? And what about all the 16 year olds attracted to your blog by the beer ad?

[Steve West]

Advertising is quite dirty but if not you, then someone else is going to take the money.

You won't lose me as a reader for the ad. I'll even click and watch the video to help assure them that it's a good place to pay.

Too bad it's not a good beer. But then again the really good beers put money into the process and great package design that tempts me into buying it in the store because they care enough about branding.

[davidthedesigner]

Steady on there, Steve. If I were to do things solely on the basis that somebody else would take the money if I didn't I could get myself into all sorts of trouble, now couldn't I?

And Winnie: don't kid me that 16 year-olds read this blog. And that advertising beer would attract them like flies to a Hirst sculpture.

[Loïc]

Take the money, and buy a bottle of Hautes Côtes de Beaune (forget about the Côtes du Rhone)

[Andrew Kingham]

They won't offer you enough to get rid of the bad taste in your mouth. Don't do it. But not for us.

[Kieran]

Stick advertising feature at the top and keep the post honest and as long as it doesn't happen often, I won't mind.

I ignore enough posts in google reader for 1 more not to be a problem.

[Mo]

It's the changing way of the world of advertising. Take it I say so you can influence the advertising. Before it was all the hands of the big companies. The upside of viral advertising (yes that is what they call it) means we can change things. Beer is not bad. Excessive drinking is.

[Chris]

Perhaps a reciprocal arrangement would be most suitable? Once the DavidTheDesigner logo is well recognised on their cans it would be appropriate (given sufficient remuneration) for their brand to have a brief mention here.

Firm but fair - it's the only way.

[davidthedesigner]

Smart thinking, Chris. The problem is that when those scallywags get their collars felt for hot-wiring the beemer, they're going to say "but it's all davidthedesigner's fault". I couldn't live with that sort of responsibility.

I'm quite taken by Loïc's suggestion, though. Surely that wouldn't leave a bad taste in my mouth, would it Andrew?

[Andrew Kingham]

Have they said how much is on the table?

[Andrew Kingham]

Think how much better you'd feel with a barca-style charity endorsement.

[Andrew Kingham]

How do you know I'm over 18, by the way?

[Bruno]

Take the money, run, don't repeat often (or at all). You do deserve quite a few beers for your content.