Advertising Roundup: Starbucks' Election Offer Foiled, Consumer Brands Going Negative, and More

(MoneyWatch)  Starbucks reprimanded for Election Day offer -- Turns out the coffee chain's friendly marketing ploy -- a free cup of coffee for anyone who votes -- is illegal. Washington state officials notified Starbucks today that offering remuneration in exchange for voting is against state and federal election law. Starbucks quickly modified the offer to a free cup of joe for all customers. [Source: Ad Age]

Web ads pivotal in 2008 election -- TV ad spending is still king, but it has been a banner election season for the Web. Targeting became more sophisticated, Google emerged as a clear game changer, and the candidates learned how to get more ROI for their ad dollars. [Source: ClickZ]

Advertisers get more tactical -- If you thought the negative ads would go away after Election Day, think again. Consumer brands like Dunkin' Donuts and Campbell Soup Company are picking up on politics' negative ad trend, though Madison Ave. execs are spinning the strategy as "comparative advertising" and "disruptive marketing." Bottom line: It's time to hit competitors -- hard. But the smarter companies are learning it's best to soften the blow with humor. [Source: New York Times]

eMarketer CEO on the fate of online ad spending -- eMarketer CEO Geoff Ramsey remains relatively optimistic about the online advertising market, he told the audience at the ad:tech conference today in New York. Despite expected trims in forecasts, Ramsey says online ad spending will still grow in the double digits. [Source: ZDNET]