Starbucks Prints a 9/11 Ad
Here’s What Happened
In 2002, Starbucks released this ad:
Which, because of the 1) two cups, 2) strangely square-tipped blades of grass that resembled buildings, 3) zooming dragonfly, and 4) ad copy “Collapse Into Cool”, made people think Starbucks was…poking fun? (or just really that ignorant?) at the 9/11 catastrophe.
Why It Missed the Mark
Obviously it’s wildly offensive. Was it just a huge coincidence? I don’t even know—I still don’t understand the logic behind this one.
Takeaways
Stay alert for symbolism that might be—whether intentionally or unintentionally—depicted by the words or images in your ad.
Hyundai Belittles Suicide Victims
Here’s What Happened
In 2013, Hyundai ran a commercial in the UK that essentially said, “Our cars are so safe you can’t even commit suicide in them.”
The point was that the sedan doesn’t produce harmful emissions like other cars do, and unfortunately the campaign’s creators thought a good way to get that point across was to show a man’s unsuccessful suicide.
The last time I was in Starbucks I couldn’t figure out if the woman ahead of me was placing an order or chanting a Wican curse!
any advertising that gets people discussing the product is good advertising
“Caesar endorses these ginsu knives”
The first one is a joke grenade. LMAO.
[no phone number. lol]
Good design packaging and appeal = successful corporatism.
Just be weary!
That laughing doll gives me the creeps!
R I C H A R D
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A few years ago, Honda had a commercial where the driver and passengers break into Weezer’s song “Buddy Holly”.
Not a good song choice considering the commercial was for the Honda Pilot.
Subliminal brain-washing exists everywhere in advertising. Nothing is ever accidental or coincidental. Just as in everything else, nothing is taboo any more. Actually, being explicit has become common practice.
Subliminal Messages in Advertising and Their Widespread Use
Of late, there has been an upsurge of subliminal messages in advertising, which were a few decades back, considered to be immoral or inappropriate as per social ethics. Nevertheless, these still are, indirectly, an integral part of this vast industry.
“While advertising and marketing have progressed by leaps and bounds, the trend of subliminal messages in this industry too has become a popular tool for garnering maximum profits.”
https://marketingwit.com/subliminal-messages-in-advertising
The workzone.com view of why the Pepsi ad was a mistake was incorrect. most sane people don’t care about sjw nutters. The response I heard was that no one would accept food or drink from those filthy thugs.
Many commercials in the last few years are so strange that neither DH nor I even know what the company is selling.
Their ads leave the same bad taste as their coffee.
And don’t even get me started on Flo and those damn Progressive insurance ads. Or Liberty Mutual with Doug and the Emu.
geoff the aardvark – YES!!! That stupid Emu ad! Another bad one is Sheryl and her stupid she-shed. I feel really bad for her husband.
Whoever heard of a she shed before that stupid commercial first aired?