Certainly interesting, but I would say, not a fair comparison. The 2nd example demonstrates the results of being ugly inside, which then eventually equates to being ugly outside. The first example, however, is striving to illustrate that regardless of what is inside, society often values only what is on the exterior.
Great observation, and completely accurate. I think I just dig the tongue-in-cheek play on the original, which incidentally, is my favorite ad campaign ever...everything Dove is standing for right now is absolutely the most responsible marketing I've seen in my lifetime.
on the contrary, I feel like the Dove campaign is no more responsible than any other- maybe less since they're not all that honest about their true intent. They're cashing in on seeming so benevolent and honest, when in all actuality it's just to make a buck.
There's nothing wrong with promoting a healthy image for the youth, and there's nothing wrong with making money, BUT pointing their finger at the industry and jugging a negative message that they themselves (unilever) actively contribute to is blatant hypocrisy.
http://tinyurl.com/3dhd3x That elaborates my point.
By the way the second vid is great. It's about poking fun.
Interesting observation, Ed, and thanks for participating in the dialogue. I will say that I was probably overstating when I said that it's "absolutely the most responsible marketing I've seen", as a few other campaigns (think Benetton in the '90s) have come to mind as having made great strides in doing it different and trying to put out a positive message.
And that's really what matters to me: the Dove BRAND (if not the parent company that owns them) is trying to say something worthwhile and meaningful, and it's that kind of message that I will be reinforcing with my own daughter some day soon. There will never be any escaping the AXE mentality, nor the inherrant humor that comes along with blatent misygonistic rhetoric (that shit cracks me up), so I'm not going to fault the companies that put it out there...or care to point out the hypocrisy, although doing so is just fine, too. We're all hypocrites, and living in America, it's impossible not to be. It's still our job to be responsible to tell the truth sometimes, and Dove is doing it. Does it matter? It does to me.
"so I'm not going to fault the companies that put it out there...or care to point out the hypocrisy, although doing so is just fine, too. We're all hypocrites, and living in America, it's impossible not to be."
That's the textbook syndrome of guilt. Since you're a hypocrite in some way or another, you don't care to point out hypocrisy on others. It's also playing right into their master plan (mu hahahaha). You have to point it out because where there's hypocrisy, there are problems. Problems can be addressed and fixed. So I refuse to let it go that there are people who respond positively to these crap ads. By my account, they're the next generation of the world's leaders, too. So telling them early that they're being lied to is a great thing. By not pointing it out, not only are you allowing the lying to continue, but you're also lying yourself because you'd hate to be called out and have to address your own hypocrisies.
Ouch, I've been nailed! Thanks, Mr. Jerz, for adding to the dialogue...and yes, I admit it: I'm guilty as charged! However, despite what you may think I regularly point out the hypocrisy in others. I probably do it too much, because after a while I know it just makes me come off sounding pompous and righteous, and I don't choose to make that my thing. I'm just not afraid to look in the mirror and see my own hypocrisy, too: I drive an SUV even though I know it's bad for the environment. I buy Nike products even though I know they have used child labor in Pakistan and other places. I am guilty countless times, not the least of which is when I find myslef laughing at Axe commercials even though I know they are promoting the wrong message. I guess I figure that they are so blatent and over the top, (stupid, really), that I wonder: who takes this shit so seriously anyway? Hmmm.
If you read my blog at all you might pick up on the concept that responsible parenting is MY idea of chaning the world. Kudos to you and Ed and everyone out there that continue to pull the silk curtain aside and reveal the sneaky bearded man that actually owns the Dove brand. And yes, you are right, pointing out these problems is just being socially responsible.
I simply believe the Message that's being delivered by Dove actually IS that "advertisers are lying to you, little girl". Sure, there's wicked irony in the fact that the company speaking the truth is at the same time telling a lie. The latter does not cancel out the former. The truth is there, in the advertisement. There's no denying that the message is right on the money. I'm not runing out to buy Dove soap because of this ad...I'm just posting in on my blog because it's cool.
6 comments:
Certainly interesting, but I would say, not a fair comparison. The 2nd example demonstrates the results of being ugly inside, which then eventually equates to being ugly outside. The first example, however, is striving to illustrate that regardless of what is inside, society often values only what is on the exterior.
Great observation, and completely accurate. I think I just dig the tongue-in-cheek play on the original, which incidentally, is my favorite ad campaign ever...everything Dove is standing for right now is absolutely the most responsible marketing I've seen in my lifetime.
on the contrary, I feel like the Dove campaign is no more responsible than any other- maybe less since they're not all that honest about their true intent. They're cashing in on seeming so benevolent and honest, when in all actuality it's just to make a buck.
There's nothing wrong with promoting a healthy image for the youth, and there's nothing wrong with making money, BUT pointing their finger at the industry and jugging a negative message that they themselves (unilever) actively contribute to is blatant hypocrisy.
http://tinyurl.com/3dhd3x That elaborates my point.
By the way the second vid is great. It's about poking fun.
Interesting observation, Ed, and thanks for participating in the dialogue. I will say that I was probably overstating when I said that it's "absolutely the most responsible marketing I've seen", as a few other campaigns (think Benetton in the '90s) have come to mind as having made great strides in doing it different and trying to put out a positive message.
And that's really what matters to me: the Dove BRAND (if not the parent company that owns them) is trying to say something worthwhile and meaningful, and it's that kind of message that I will be reinforcing with my own daughter some day soon. There will never be any escaping the AXE mentality, nor the inherrant humor that comes along with blatent misygonistic rhetoric (that shit cracks me up), so I'm not going to fault the companies that put it out there...or care to point out the hypocrisy, although doing so is just fine, too. We're all hypocrites, and living in America, it's impossible not to be. It's still our job to be responsible to tell the truth sometimes, and Dove is doing it. Does it matter? It does to me.
"so I'm not going to fault the companies that put it out there...or care to point out the hypocrisy, although doing so is just fine, too. We're all hypocrites, and living in America, it's impossible not to be."
That's the textbook syndrome of guilt. Since you're a hypocrite in some way or another, you don't care to point out hypocrisy on others. It's also playing right into their master plan (mu hahahaha). You have to point it out because where there's hypocrisy, there are problems. Problems can be addressed and fixed. So I refuse to let it go that there are people who respond positively to these crap ads. By my account, they're the next generation of the world's leaders, too. So telling them early that they're being lied to is a great thing. By not pointing it out, not only are you allowing the lying to continue, but you're also lying yourself because you'd hate to be called out and have to address your own hypocrisies.
Ouch, I've been nailed! Thanks, Mr. Jerz, for adding to the dialogue...and yes, I admit it: I'm guilty as charged! However, despite what you may think I regularly point out the hypocrisy in others. I probably do it too much, because after a while I know it just makes me come off sounding pompous and righteous, and I don't choose to make that my thing. I'm just not afraid to look in the mirror and see my own hypocrisy, too: I drive an SUV even though I know it's bad for the environment. I buy Nike products even though I know they have used child labor in Pakistan and other places. I am guilty countless times, not the least of which is when I find myslef laughing at Axe commercials even though I know they are promoting the wrong message. I guess I figure that they are so blatent and over the top, (stupid, really), that I wonder: who takes this shit so seriously anyway? Hmmm.
If you read my blog at all you might pick up on the concept that responsible parenting is MY idea of chaning the world. Kudos to you and Ed and everyone out there that continue to pull the silk curtain aside and reveal the sneaky bearded man that actually owns the Dove brand. And yes, you are right, pointing out these problems is just being socially responsible.
I simply believe the Message that's being delivered by Dove actually IS that "advertisers are lying to you, little girl". Sure, there's wicked irony in the fact that the company speaking the truth is at the same time telling a lie. The latter does not cancel out the former. The truth is there, in the advertisement. There's no denying that the message is right on the money. I'm not runing out to buy Dove soap because of this ad...I'm just posting in on my blog because it's cool.
Again, thanks for your post.
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