Pepsi Max Steps it UP : Hilarious Podcast!

[theFerf]

Ok, as you may have noticed, the new feature on the site is for Pepsi Max. I know what you are thinking, Im a sell-out. And this is not true by any means. Don't belive me? Download the Podcast and find out. IT IS ****ING HILARIOUS!

If anyone has seen Punked, heard of the Jerkey Boys, or every enjoyed just prank calling someone then the PepsiMax Podcast is for you.

Im stil laughing, it is so great! Read the feature on the home page and check out the wind-ups here in their podcast, and then you will understand.

http://83.138.191.83/pepsimax/pepsimax_podcast.xml

[offair]

Oh my god! It's really good! :lol:
i'd want to punch someone who did that to me!

if big companies get involved in podcasting all the features could get really big :!: :?:

[simulacrum]

Proper Uk style wind up's!!

[paulc]

Maybe whoever runs this feed (http://www.pod1.com?) should actually validate the XML? It contains so many stupid errors it is laughable.

Reading the RSS or XML specs is better than copy and pasting someone elses feed, editing the values and hoping it will work.

Although I should remember that there is actually a law which states that if you are UK-based web design company, you must be complete rubbish.

[dog_spawn]

I viewed the source of that one. It has dashes before some elements.

That really is mind blowingly dumb.

They must have copy+paste from IE/Firefox's dynamic XML view.

:roll:

[majts]

theFerf - I submitted a comment on the PepsiMax comments before I realised that all comments need approval and this one probably won't due to your new commercial responsibilities :wink:
Se will post the comment here instead.
Re: Pepsi Max No Sugar Wind up Podcast
mmmm, Well its not bad if you're into Jeremy Beadle or candid camera style wind ups. But more worryingly many of the above gushing comments don't look very genuine to me and smell of the Pepsi Max marketing team. Is the future of podcasting just to peddle fizzy water and has Podcast Alley sold its soul already? And will this comment stay up? so many questions

P.S. I am in no way anti-commercialism, but those comments look so dubious, in the style of a typical marketing companies idea of "web speak"
example comments (spot the signature exclamation marks!!!)
phonetastic wizard wheeze windups!!
Well done Pepsi. I'll drink nothing but you from now on -Burp!
Submitted By: book'em dann0 on 20050224
Scouser Gets It!!!
Quality, what a wind up! Felt sorry for the loser you could hear him getting more and more upset! Definitely worth a listen!!!
Submitted By: Ric on 20050224
Well funny!
Had me in stitches!! Can't wait for the next one!
Submitted By: Jay on 20050224
Genius
Silly beggars. Made me chuckle hard.
Submitted By: MR FERNANDO on 20050224
funny stuff
haha they're pretty funny... definately worth a listen!
Submitted By: jimmy on 20050223
Funny Guy!
Man, that presenter is good, funnier than some of the wind-ups - well worth a listen! but why's it only going for one week? i'd listen to this every day!
Submitted By: John Rostrum on 20050225
I've also just noticed that the Pepsi podcast has only 16 votes but 13 comments. Compare this to Reel reviews 679 votes, 7 comments or DSC 595 votes and 19 comments. Smells very, very fishy to me

P.P.S on the upside it's driven me from being a long time lurker into actually contributing something to these message boards :D

[theFerf]

matjs:

I have no commercial responsibilities to PepsiMax. They pay me to say nothing, write nothing, and do nothing with the exception of posting their banner to support their podcast. And would I dare censor someones comments, hell no. I am open to controversy and comments by anyone (negating obvious libel) and approve 99% of comments submitted.

Do I think Pepsi is coming to the site and posting or leaving comments, hell yeah its possible. But what to keep in mind is that it is no different than any other podcaster posting comments or bribeing their listeners to come to the site to vote and leave comments. You would be amazed at what different podcasters do to get votes and comments.

Anyway, I appreciate your concern at me selling out, but there is none of that here. I truely enjoyed the PepsiMax windups and was impressed at their efforts to not sell, just provide funny (IMO) podcasts.

PS > thanks for not lurking any longer and becoming involved :) Podcasting is an awesome community.

PSS > Check the comments: http://www.podcastalley.com/see_comments.php?pod_id=1549

[majts]

I apreciate the quick and reasonable reply, and if my tone was too accusatory then I apologise - I think you're doing a great job with this site and I wish you every success and have no problems if you do end up making money for all your hard effort. I appreciate that individuals and/or commercial organizations may try to manipulate the "killer apps" of this site (i.e. the voting and comments) Hopefully as you get bigger this problem will solve itself as it will be more difficult for individuals to try to skew results

Anyway I am reassured that you are doing everything in your power to "keep it real"

I can see alot of these types of arguments coming up in the coming months as podcasting hits the mainstream. But one question begs .... why the Pepsi Max banner in the forums? .. that's why I (wrongly) assumed you had a deal with them.

P.S regarding my original comment which you have now posted - I am eating humble pie :oops: I guess we can blame it on mainstream media that has made me such a cynical bastard.
You have my permission to remove that comment .... please .... oh well, leave it up then and make me squirm :D

[theFerf]

Thanks! i appreciate your comments majts.

As for the banner in the forum, its like i was saying in my last post, they were looking for a way to get their brand in front of the audience that was listening to their podcast. So you listen to the podcast while you browse the site, hear the words PepsiMax, see the banner, get intrigued and visit the site, I suppose :) I checked out the site and it is quite interesting as well..games and what not.

Like I said, I am very impressed with the efforts of PepsiMax in podcasting and hope that more corporate podcasters that are looking into podcasting can take a hint from them and not just try to shove propaganda down peoples throats. Thats not podcasting to me.

[paulc]

This is purely a "bandwagon jumping" action. The crappy web design company they paid to do the 10 minutes work for them couldn't even make a valid XML file.

The feed is a joke. Copying, editing and uploading an XML file doesn't exactly count as them trying to get involved in a community.

I emailed the company who did it and they said they would "look into the problem". They are so inept they haven't fixed it yet.

Getting on the frontpage of the only known podcast directory for free sure is great advertising. They would have to pay **** loads to get similar placement on any other site.

Having that banner in the forum is a piss take. I didn't even know it was there at first because it was adblocked.

[paulc]

Also.

I am very impressed with the efforts of PepsiMax in podcasting and hope that more corporate podcasters that are looking into podcasting can take a hint from them and not just try to shove propaganda down peoples throats. Thats not podcasting to me.

That is really funny.

[bob]

I have no problem with the banner ad, hell that's a normal thing in the online world..

What surprised me though, is that they are a "featured podcast" on the front page...

I didn't realize that Coverville, Rock n Roll Geek, Dawn & Drew, & the other "featured" podcasts had paid to be featured there too..

The things you learn,

[theFerf]

I didn't realize that Coverville, Rock n Roll Geek, Dawn & Drew, & the other "featured" podcasts had paid to be featured there too..

No one has to pay to be in the featured podcast section. What I do is keep my eyes (and ears) open to is what is happening in the podcasting world and I try to bring light to those podcasts. I have featured some of the best in technology, sports, music, video and the like, and thought PepsiMax was deserving of this spot. They are doing what no other Mainstream Podcaster has been able to do, and that is create content that was good (IMO) and not trying to sell.

Lets make this official: If you think your podast has what it takes to be a featured podcast (unique, interesting, enlightening, entertaining, etc) on the PodcastAlley.com website, send an email to featureme@podcastalley.com with your details and why you think it should be featured. if you are selected, I will send you the details. Right now I feature 1 podcast a week because I have been doing all the research myself regarding the podcast, and obviously, just because you submit does not mean you will be selected. Im looking for the best of the best podcasts, not just top 10 shows.

[bob]

Thanks Chris, that clears it up - sorta..

Surely you can see how it seems suspect when they show up as a "featured" podcast at the same time they start advertising on your site.

Just to be clear, I'm not against commercialism. I'm just wondering if your credibility might have taken a hit here.. I may be seeing this all wrong, and I'll welcome any "perspective realignment" that comes my way. But to me, now, DESPITE the hard work I know you've done finding featured podcasts, I'll be double-checking the banner ad to see if a new show is also a sponsor.

Still love the site- just hope you tread into commercialism carefully..

[cc_chapman]

Guys, why are we jumping all over Chris? Don't forget he does everything on this site for free and I can't even imagine how much time it takes.

I'll be honest that I thought the same thing when I first saw it. All of a sudden a new podcast that no one has ever heard of is suddenly the featured podcast. I thought Chris had sold out as well.

But, after talking with him and reading here how he picks the feature podcasts I get it. And let's be straight up here. No matter how cool of a community we have building here Chris is in charge around here and thus it's his call.

I don't want anyone to buy their way into any sort of top spot either...

I'm rambling....*grin*

[camilian]

I agree chris works his *** off on the site, he should make something from it. I am just pissed that the pepsi guys didn't take the time to make a decent feed. I would like to hear what is coming for the future of corporate podcasting.

[radioclash]

I really appreciate the work that Chris puts into his site; I object to the sponsor - like McDonalds a corporate that markets nasty sweet drinks to children? And does it via music: e.g. charts (in the UK), ads with pop stars that kids like (Britney, MJ etc.)

Sorry Chris - I don't object to you recouping the costs or making money for your hard work which I and others appreciate...I just wish you'd choose your marketing bedfellows with care, because on a site like this the advertiser does reflect on the shows featured (and vice versa, which is probably why other people have avoided advertising, so it is a brave jump for them).

But podcasting existed before it got commercial, and will exist after when they get bored (probably very shortly - I work for marketing companies and they have a very short attention span)

Oh one thing:

Although I should remember that there is actually a law which states that if you are UK-based web design company, you must be complete rubbish.

As a freelance web designer in the UK I take REAL offence at that statement... :x I'm not complete rubbish, been making a wage at this for 8 years...and work for UK web design agencies...you say that from *what* experience, *exactly*?

I would add I see no real difference (or greatness or betterness, or crapness either) from web design companies elsewhere in the world, e.g. US, Oz, SA, rest of europe. They're all about the same, although I do think UK design in general is better than a lot of places (but then I WOULD say that wouldn't I ;-).

Personally I'm not a fan of US design for example; I tend to like european or japanese design...but even I wouldn't say all US web design companies are crap, just have to deal with clients that probably value design less?

But if you'd said they are all H&m/GAP-wearing upper-class Shoreditch whores who play table-tennis all the time and get the stressed freelancers to do all the real work with very little help, THEN I might agree with you :D
(At some point I'm gonna write a book about this which will make 'E' look like a walk in the park...).

But I doubt that's a purely UK phenomenon... :(

Tim

P.S. I'll definitely be playing 'Dispepsi' by Negativland on the next Radio Clash show (17, 16 is already done) in 'honour' of the Pepsi advertising and cast :D

[camilian]

But podcasting existed before it got commercial, and will exist after when they get bored (probably very shortly

Tim,

I totally agree, that is why I think Chris should take the money.

What is podcasting going to do for Pepsi? Not much. Podcasting is still very geek-centric and requires half a brain to use a feed catcher. Once they realize that people listen to the feed but don't fall for the marketing and could give a **** less about their NASTY pepsi max they will move this advertising money back to the typical mass market where you can hit Jim Bob who will buy it for his children with no teeth.

So I say TAKE their money now while they still think it will do something for them!

That said kiddies, don't buy this crap, it is bad for you.

[theFerf]

Everybody: Thanks for your support. The hours of work and coding into the wee hours are paid for by all the podcasters that visit and support the site through participating and driving traffic to it. Without you guys, this site is just another filthy hole on the net.

The advertisers dont make me much money, but enough to cover the rising costs of development, hosting, etc.

Radio Clash:
I have to agree with some of the comments you made about design styles: I am a big fan of european and japanese design as well. The only problem is that those designs are not well understood to a US market. The use of fundamental design properties mixed with great technology is almost too much for a normal American to Understand...even too much for me sometimes, but I love it none the less.

[radioclash]

Radio Clash:
I have to agree with some of the comments you made about design styles: I am a big fan of european and japanese design as well. The only problem is that those designs are not well understood to a US market. The use of fundamental design properties mixed with great technology is almost too much for a normal American to Understand...even too much for me sometimes, but I love it none the less.

LOL :D

I think you do fine with the site here, it looks very nice - I liked Nosebleed so much how you used it here that I used it as the basis for the style I designed for my forum (quite different tho)

http://www.mutantpop.net/board/

And there have been some great American designers, artists and architects...I just get the feeling that the designers in US have to fight for design more; and their clients don't want it or understand it (with some exceptions, like HP, Sony US etc). The reason I know this is that european and japanese designers are at a premium in the States ironically; if they want that design ethos they go and hire someone from abroad - again not really nurturing local talent, sadly.

Anyway this is taking it WAY off topic :D Back to bitching about Pepsi :twisted:

P.S. There's a very cool Nosebleed v2.0 that Mike Lothar has released only if you donate...quite different, I wish I'd seen that before I modded my board...dang. :D

[offair]

are forums usually this aggressive?!!!

i'm fairly new to all this and the pepsi wid up's were one of the 1st things i downloaded (and commented on - perhaps i'm a fake!!), now people are getting all tetchy :twisted:

Rock and Roll!