Not That Funny, Not That Offensive
November 29th, 2006
It’s really hard taking a picture on a moving tube train. And tube journeys are boring. To fill the time, we discussed whether this ad was offensive to ‘hard of seeing’ spectacle wearers. After much (well, not that much) debate, the LOVE creative view was ‘just a tiny bit funny and not really offensive’. Conclusion - it’s one of those ‘not really anything’ kind of ads and there are too many of those polluting the world for our liking.
November 30th, 2006 at 10:29 am
Been meaning to blog about this one. It’s one of those ‘here’s a rubbish strategy’ to explain to your mum what you do as a planner for a living. Although the ad’s not THAT offensive, the strategy - specs make you a four eyed saddo - is deeply so. Outdated, obtuse. Rubbish.
November 30th, 2006 at 10:50 am
I found it so rubbish that the first time I read it I thought it was actually promoting specs (They were so good she couldn’t take them off me). Now, those who know me best might argue this is just me being a bit of a literary numpty, but how many people (that aren’t in adland) would bother to stop and check that the message they’ve just received is the correct one?
November 30th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
I saw these ads at the weekend. As a spec wearer my instant reaction was that they could f off.
November 30th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
I’m not sure why we chose this ad to pick on (probably the first one we looked at when we were sitting at Earls Court waiting for the bloody train to move), but there’s something about it. Anyone know the agency? I remember seeing a completely different TV commercial with a woman rock-climbing. William - shall we launch a campaign against it?
November 30th, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Yes, I think it should be called “I heart specs, you bastards”.
And the first advert should have the catchy headline “I knew it was love, she couldn’t take her bloodshot eyes off me after wearing her contacts all bleedin day in front of that computer screen. They looked quite dry too but she lacked the spirit to go to the bathroom and take them out.”
I’m amazed that an advert like this could come from an industry where a quick flick through Campaign reveals that you’re nothing without a pair of heavy rimmed designer glasses.
December 5th, 2006 at 9:05 am
I bet they made the ad themselves. If they paid someone for that they are fools of the highest order.