Global powerhouse, McCann, just partnered with the 4As, advertising's leading trade group, to publish a survey that may be the most disingenuous body of work since Clifford Irving penned a completely bogus biography of the legendary Howard Hughes.

Respondents of the co-branded survey about advertising provided the following head-shaking, jaw-dropping information:

– 77 percent said ads '…entertain me and make me laugh' (these people must not get out very often).
– 40 percent said they “loved” advertising (that cohort must be ingesting some serious prescription pain killers).
– And, get this, 72 percent say they think advertising has the power to make the world a better place!

I'm surprised the survey pool didn't also point to advertising as mankind's last, best hope for:
– ending war,
– eliminating poverty,
– and, curing cancer.

The results are truly laughable, especially in light of countless other research that consistently shows people think advertising is complete rubbish.

In addition, consumers everywhere are DVRing their favorite TV programs in order to fast forward past mind-numbing adverts. Or, they're buying a Hopper from Dish Network, which erases commercials faster than a Mafia hit man can dispose of a stool pigeon.

Laura Simpson, McCann's global director of 'Truth Central', the agency's thought leadership initiative that co-engineered the oh-so-dubious survey had this to say: “Surprisingly, the majority of consumers think advertising can change the world for the better.” LOL! Laura's even funnier than her brother, Homer.

Anyone with half a brain HAS to view the McCann/4As poll as having less credibility than Lindsay Lohan and Lance Armstrong combined.

Were the survey to come to life and be a person, it would unquestionably be Pinocchio, and the nose would just keep growing longer and longer, as each additional preposterous finding is revealed.