In response to Subway's review of its interactive account, Agency.com uploaded a 10-minute video on YouTube showing the shop's employees preparing a pitch for the business.

Agency.com's video on YouTube ignited immediate response, most of it negative, as industry blogs such as Adfreak called it "uninspired," and "highly unfunny," and Adrants pleaded to ad agencies, "DO NOT DO THIS," writes AdWeek. Karl Long wrote on his blog ExperienceCurve, however, that the agency deserves "massive kudos."

The video has been watched more than 62,000 times as of today (Wednesday), and has inspired remix versions, a T-shirt, several mash-ups and a mock response from Coudal Advertising in Chicago.

According to Agency.com creative director Tom Ajello, creating visceral reactions was the whole purpose; he pointed out that the "pitch" was aimed at a target audience that tends to be opinionated and prone to hyper-criticism.

Subway declined to comment, but has acknowledged that it is aware of the hoopla over the video. A cut in the review is expected later in the month, according to the article.

Subway itself has been testing new interactive marketing methods, with franchisees in New York State dabbling in distributing discount coupons via customers' mobile phones.