Advertising Space

It's rare that I quote Robbie Williams... *g*

The following originated at the Planet, but still, if it weren't so absurd, it would make a good joke. So it is worth reporting here.

Right, World Cup in Germany! And the FIFA dictates interesting rules for advertising... >>click<<

• in the official brochure, Frankfurt's skyline hat to be changed on the photograph - the Postbank is an official sponsor, and the pitcure also showed competitors' headquarters... But then it's not really Frankfurt's skyline anymore, is it...?
• in Nuremberg, HypoVereinsbank cash machines had all credit card logos but MasterCard removed - in order to 'protect' that sponsor. And I always thought those logos were for information...
• in Leipzig, the sale of gingerbread has been forbidden - McDonalds caters and no-one else! Er, so much for local specialities...

And much more.

I remember learning about the different views on advertising - advertising as information and advertising as persuasion - in 3rd year, but this surely is advertising as madness.