We do have world class advertising. I think ads are so good and TV is so bad because all the really experienced and creative people were forced out of necessity to follow the money and jobs. Sadly they can be more creative in ads than they can with TV programs.
Riaan wrote:
These internet ads seem to be professionally made, but I can't imagine them being allowed on regular TV. It's actually a very good and cheap way of advertising - create something that's really funny but that won't be allowed on TV, and the rest of the world will distribute it for you at their own cost! Shrewd!
It's called viral marketing. Used to happen naturally, now a planned part of any major ad campaign these days.
The Nandos one with the blind person and guide dog was one they knew would be pulled due to complaints before they aired it. Complaints from SA council for the blind, the guide dog's association and I think the SPCA as well as a host of the usual Mother Grundies. Somehow that's one that didn't make it to the internet as far as I can see. Anyone see the followup ad? IIRC, same ad but about 20 seconds in, the image is replaced with a notice saying how they have censored the video for sensitive viewers, but the sound carries on and it finishes up with the usual tagline. That ad also didn't last long either... ?
Ever notice how the risqué ads that they know are going to get complaints always air on a Friday night? That's planned, and they know it's going to be pulled, but they get the weekend to air it. They can't do it too often or the agency/company are forced to submit all ads to the ASA before airing, but very effective when used sparingly.
Most of my faves have already been mentioned (Castrol ""Can of the Best", Cremora "It's not inside...", etc.), but one I also remember well was the Lemon Twist ad with the Bushmen. A group of Bushmen (AKA Khoi-San in PC speak) wandering through the Kalahari suddenly surprised by a fridge falling out of the sky (echoes of
The Gods Must be Crazy, for those who remember that), one of them opens it while the others cower, and then he turns round with a can of LT and says "Hey chaps! It's lemon Twisting Time!" and they all break into dancing the Twist to the sound of the Chubby Checker song.
Anyone remember the Old Mutual "Life" ad? A minute and a half of
very powerful images, starting with a baby being born.
VW have also been consistently good and usually have a very local feel.
