Walking out to the car this morning, my heart skipped a beat when I saw a note taped to the window. Is it a ticket? Nope. Did someone hit my car and leave information? Nope.

It was an ad.

Now, of course, this has happened to all of us more than once. And I'm wondering -- what is the success rate of these direct marketing pieces of trash? The average response rate for a successful direct mail campaign is only about 2.5 percent.

But, I'm also wondering -- isn't this form of direct marketing illegal?

I bet these "notes" are not only ineffective, but repel people away from their cause. This particular note touted the opportunity of pulling in $2,200 each month working for an "International Company" in "Health & Fitness."

These messages are usually about making gobs of cash, however, I have seen everything from dry cleaning deals to charity support.

A couple years ago, I even got one that was printed to look exactly like a parking ticket. The geniuses behind that one must have thought: "The best way to reach our audience is to piss them off, right?"

Now, are these people:
A.) Obnoxious
B.) Pitifully ignorant
C.) Just plain out-of-touch

You decide. I do know this much: Advertising, when done correctly, is informative, entertaining and motivational. When it's done incorrectly, it's pollution.

So, dear Aaron (the contact listed on my note), I suggest an effective social media campaign or, at least, an ORIGINAL guerrilla-marketing stunt. Until then, find something else to do in the middle of the night instead of cluttering up my neighborhood.