Time for Tax Season: ABC's The Office Has Some Advice

Published by on January 8, 2008

So while doing my normal morning log on to Amazon to check out the hot deals, I was greeted by a set of familiar faces: Dwight, Angela, Jim, Pam, and Ryan (so hot). I personally use the digital tax filing services offered by TaxCut or whatever the brand name is, so I’m already sold on the idea, but this ad really makes me want to use the products or at least makes the filing process not so bad. I kind of consider tax products like toothpaste: I use something with a C, not sure if it’s Crest or Colgate, just whatever packaging looks the prettiest.

the office tax season

From the ad, I guess you’re supposed to pick what type of filer you are, but since I figured Dwight’s monologue would be the best, I opted to choose a ‘fancy filer’, and here’s what Dwight has to say:

Dwight Schrute Profile: Fact: You’ve got a full-time job and an inherited family business and a burgeoning side project in the agritourism field (permits are pending). Fact: You’re going to need to account for your extra income or losses (because your cousin Mose can’t possibly guarantee the beet farm will turn a profit). Fact: The right tax software will help you get through even the most intricate tax return–alone and on your own time over a bowl of Count Chocula–without ever having to divulge private information.

So after taking the Facebook questionnaire yesterday, I am drawn to the advertising section. Here’s the question and my response:

What do you think of Facebook advertising? Do you find Facebook ads more relevant than other online ads? Ha! Facebook advertising is the worst. However, with the integration into the feed I have found certain ads not so bad. I mainly use the ads as a way of telling what new movies and TV shows are out. Perhaps if Facebook linked new movies/tv shows up to reviews, they might be more valuable.

Now, how do the adds on Facebook contrast with this, well, they suck. I doubt Amazon showed me this add because I have copies of The Office in my shopping cart, but rather I think it’s just a matter of Amazon having a better, more developed advertising department that knows what ads will work, and helps to create products that will get the message across best. That, or I’m just a sucker for anything with The Office in it — especially given this horrendously protracted writer’s strike.

By the way, I used Hulu this weekend to watch old episodes of The Office and it was a wonderful experience!