And why not?  Both companies have mastered the art of delivering packages to customers, which naturally makes them good at selecting the item being sent, right? 

Obviously I made that up.  But I did it to make a point:  if most can agree that delivering a gift bears no relation to selecting the gift being sent, why do we transform into Optimus Tard when ad networks and firms make the same argument?  I can understand why Marvel Comics would fall for the ploy…its survival depends on living in a fantasy world of nuclear-green purple-pant-wearing ogres.  But Stan Lee's not the only guy to pick up what ad firms are laying down.  

One has to admire their guile:  they successfully pulled the wool over our collective eyeballs and made us focus on delivery instead of message. They tell us not only that they know exactly where to distribute an ad, but also the ad that should be distributed.   I don't know about you, but I don't want the c-level boy-officers at Adbright picking out "my" advertising.  Aren't they the ones responsible for the atrocious ad-graffiti splattered across MySpace? 

A firm may know where the hot demographic hangs out, but don't ever presume that they'll show up bearing gifts anyone wants.  They do occasionally snag a click, a fact they trumpet to prove their value and close you into an agreement.  Conveniently missing from the pitch is the fact that each instance of user interaction is a sham, stolen with irresistible (and non-existing) i-pod/ps3/laptop freebies launching the unfortunate few into the 9th ring of malspamspyware hell.

Stan my boy, you're better than that.  You created Spider-man and the X-men after connecting with and listening to your audience.  Do you think we would have equally relevant superheroes had you instead surveyed your printer or delivery guy?  It's doesn't take a Professor X to answer that one.

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