The new Lexus RX 400h print ad may be a good looker, but according to the Chemist’s Laboratory Notebook blog, it’s just a pretty picture:

Whenever I see chemical information or structures in real world situations, it makes me excited that non-chemists are getting a little exposure to what I work with every day. Usually the chemistry isn’t great (and sometimes it doesn’t even make sense), but at least our industry is getting some recognition. Although I tried to find some connection between the structures pictured and hybrid cars, I couldn’t find one.

No word on what the structures actually indicate, maybe I can get a followup. Very curious, how hard would it have been to include relevant chemical bonds?

A new LS commercial debuted during last week’s U.S. Open, and it’s one of those posthumous pitchmen type of ads — Current PGA player Nick Watney picks up golf greats Bobby Jones, Sam Snead and Ben Hogan for a round of golf:

A nice sentiment, I suppose, but this type of celebrity appropriation never sits too well with me.