The Best Local TV Ads (VIDEO, POLL)

While much ad market is still struggling, this summer BusinessWeek wondered if cheap, easy-to-produce local TV ads could be the next bright spot in the industry.

It's not as far-fetched as it sounds. Recently, Rhett and Link, two North Carolina entrepreneurs announced they're building a business around intentionally low-budget (read: hilarious) local television ads. The duo has already produced a couple of masterpieces of the genre. Another comedy troupe, called Big Dog Eat Child, working with the comedian Robert Hines, produced the instant YouTube classic "Jones' Big Ass Truck Rental & Storage."

Low-budget TV ads, like a great regional wine, just have something unique and all their own. Inspired by Rhett and Link, we decided to compile a list of some of the best local TV ads ever. We've com awesomely bad local classics stick in our brain for decades. (For what it's worth, we're partial to the ads from Rochester, New York lawyer Jim "The Hammer" Shapiro.)

But, to finish the list, we need your help. If you've got a favorite local TV ad from your area, let us know!. Email us at HuffPostbiz-At-Gmail-Dot-Com with a YouTube link to your favorite awesomely low-budget and a short description of why you think its great. We'll compile a user-generated list with the best ads from across the country.

Check out our collection of ads below:

Jones' Big Ass Truck Rental And Storage

In what's become a classic of the genre, this local ad builds on Mr. Jones' natural charisma. Also, he's drunk, which can't hurt. (Note: This was created by the comedy troupe Big Dog Eat Child and comedian Robert Hines.)

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Comments

[Stock market]

good articles; http://bit.ly/1NkbAn

[JPFranklin]

How is Norton Furniture now on this list?!?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jubP3t27IQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2z1YroJTRE&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztzPlgm_S4w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYzV6cjJfkA&feature=related
There are dozens of these, Marc Norton is my hero, you can count on it!

[SgtLucifer]

Now I see why the professional advertising agency charge the big bugs, and why many of their professionals go to college to train. These local amateur nonsense is the height of poor taste.

[Stock market]

The wealth gap will widen to levels never before imagined while the middle class ceases. Our politicians need to do more to ensure equality.

good articles; http://bit.ly/1NkbAn

that means no bank bailouts. no tax cuts except for those in the middle and lower income brackerts more heath reform. affordable tuition.

[LeftLeanWing]

A Goth Commercial for a Family Restaurant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR7yqkmNG3A&feature=related

[DennisMM]

Funny, but what part of it suggested to you that it's real?

[UnknownSolider]

Fernando from North End Wine and Liquor store, Brilliant

[Brothaman2k]

Not sure if it's a real business,, but the big @** storage and rental guy has t-shirts on his site. I'm seriously considering buying one...LOL

[Bud777]

Where is Trunkmonkey!!!!!!!

[lulad72]

Here are some of our local pizza joint commercials. I saw the first link run in the afternoon during the Oprah show, hahahaha.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ4PpQeq7sg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6376ca8SUHc... Read more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEDfheFxpXo&feature=related

[maggiee]

I love Crazy Gideon but I have to admit I would be afraid to buy electronics from him after he's been banging them against his head.

[dirigentin]

All crazy LA area merchants, including Crazy Gideon, owe their careers to Cal Worthington, and "his dog Spot" (which for you un-luckies outside LA was the animal of the week).

Go see Cal, go see Cal, go see Cal!

Great compilation of many of his commercials -- also has the full version of his jingle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOsLdT4slsk

[maggiee]

And Crazy Eddie from the NYC metro in the 80's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yYGoO5imyY

[maggiee]

Oh and Cal rocks. I forgot to acknowledge that fact.

[luziannagirl]

OMG, but somebody needs to get our local Cajun Catering and Welding Shop to make a TV ad. They claim to have invented both the "turducken" and the turkey fryer.

I am serious, folks. One time I took a broken trailer hitch to be repaired, and picked up a boxed lunch. From the same place.

[cbastian]

Sorry, but for local kitsch and cheap production values, none of these compare to the classic Krass Brothers ("Store of the Stars") commercials from Philadelphia in the 70's and 80's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9bIbje2_hk

[ulitave]

Keep up the quality journalism! Soon, Jon Stewart will also call HuffingtonPost "20% to 30% to 70% accurate."

Seriously, check your facts, maybe? Or just watch the ad you put in your poll - the first one clearly gives credit to a comedy troupe.

[vim876]

As a DC girl no matter where I go, we still had better local ads at home. For instance, here's one of the Eastern Motors ads (to which my 19-year old sister knows all the words) :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eD73Mx35jE. Also, Senate Auto Insurance, with their admonition to "Kiss my bumper, just kiss it." Watch one here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InUd_vuPQJA. You'll thank me.

P.S. Once the Eastern Motors song gets in your head, it can take weeks to get it out.

[LeftLeanWing]

It's Just Like
It's Just Like
It/s Just Like

A mini mall