Budget Rent a Car TV ad in poor taste?
Question:
Have you seen the new one with the candles??? Now that’s a riot!
How about Aroma Therapy candles? Nah. Good stuff. They held the suspense all the way to the driver of the car. Perfect. As for the climbers, I haven’t seen it. However, I think if you look at the "theme" of the ads, you will find that they are making fun of themselves. Ads often will trivialize very dangerous things (look at any Mountain Dew ad). The reality of having a "board meeting" on top of a skyscraper is probably 4 dead idiots. I’m sure Budget’s ad agency did not write the climbers ad with Mallory in mind, and perhaps that was the reason it didn’t run very long. I’ve seen the Aroma candles ad about 8 times, and never seen the Expedition. Everyone knows Everest is dangerous, and these ads hearken back to the Saturday Night Live skit (when they were still funny) of "Bad Idea Jeans."
Response:
Pavlov at work Skinner. It’s an operant behavior, not a reflexive behavior, but still a warning about human behavioral sensitivity.
I think he’s referring to the stimulus(add)/response(strong emotion) …in which case Pavlov would be fine…
Both are S-R behaviorism, but Pavlov had a number of mechanical advantages. Reflexes are comparatively simple especially compared to "emotions." I’m not much into ascribing internal states in animals. I try to avoid using the word "mind" excepting "I would not mind …." This gets back to the knowing a polar bear is "mean" as say opposed to merely "hungry." I still have not seen this ad. I did just catch the news Honda ad, I am not aware if it was a Super Bowl ad: Couple on a country drive. Woman in the passenger seat starting to doze off. Man inserts a CD on liking football (joke based on quaint subliminal learning idea). "You will like football….." Should women be offended? This in poor taste? We need to lighten up. Should non-football oriented men be offended: more women doing outdoor things? Less competition. On jokes and political correctness: on another mailing list of some powerful/smart people, before Jan. 1. A friend suggested that the electric companies as a joke flick all the power on and off at briefly Midnight (Jan. 1) sort of like a joke: done in the movie Airplane (remember that?). Another friend pointed that the havoc that would wreck on hospitals and people on life support. It might be that our world won’t be safer until we develop computers which become joke tolerant.
Response:
Pavlov at work Skinner. It’s an operant behavior, not a reflexive behavior, but still a warning about human behavioral sensitivity.
I think he’s referring to the stimulus(add)/response(strong emotion) …in which case Pavlov would be fine…
Response:
The ad had the desired effect : it caused an emotional reaction while presenting the product. You’ll remember it far longer that way. The hard part for advertising is to get the audience to respond and pay attention, shock value is as good as any (if not better) way to do that, even if is in poor taste.
Sound like news group trolling to me. They’d make ads skewering and roasting live babies over a campfire if it helped the shareholders pocketbooks.
Humm, with a little soy sauce? Slurp. Oh, Jonathan Swift did that. In West Hollywood, on Sunset, there is a firm which tests TV ads on paper in a theater….. Stay tuned – more of the same to follow.
"We control the horizontal. We control the verical. We can change the focus from a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. Please stand by."
Response:
I think we all need to remember what it was like when we were allowed to have a sense of humor.
True. I believe we’ve been programmed to become offended at anything less than political correctness.
Yes, we, sort of, are slowly being programmed to it. Below. I love the Honda commercials and ads of the woman following the men who are venturing into the wilderness in their 4WD vehicle.
It took me a moment to remember, oh, you mean the woman (Jane-Goodall/Dian Fossey type) ethnologist. I think it’s hilarious!
It’s amusing. But, who’s to say I shouldn’t be offended by the way the male species is portrayed. I think being able to laugh at ourselves is important. It doesn’t mean we can’t be serious about serious subjects when appropriate but, we can’t be outraged every time a demographic group gets teased a little. I’m afraid we’ve all become hyper-sensitive to anything that *should* be offensive by today’s standards of being so generic that nobody’s feelings get hurt.
Well, it has been some time since this group has seen the: why aren’t there more women/non-white people? threads. We could poll the readership about the use of the Confederate flag. But I liked what Andy Rooney commented on this: get over it. It seems so often than ethnic jokes are simply recycling of prior ethnic jokes, and this is a group which could see more good humor. Do we need to continue to count bear bells jokes? On the other hand, my mom was interned, and I doubt that Jewish jokes (holocost jokes) would go over super well (the latter is a hot button for one of the mailing list moderators from when he was in this group). Life is about learning these inconsistencies and complexities. I don’t hold up WWII to the noses of my German friends. But I do know who my friends are (few), because most people would be part of a lynch mob than try to stop one. Am I alone here?
Not especially. It’s like a line from the film Blade Runner: "I am the business."
Response:
IMO it depends on personal interpretation. My initial reaction was of the possible legal repurcussions the ad might elicit. ( which seemed to come across even in the ad ).
That’s why I asked if he was related. Ads have been removed, but let me also say that this is not a topic in rec.climbing. It’s only sensitive to you guys. This ad seemed to step on enough toes to get folks talking about it. A successful ad? The execs know there’s thick skin out there and have to make the grade; even if it means causing some recrimination. I’d expect nothing less from an agency.
Bucks. Pavlov at work
Skinner. It’s an operant behavior, not a reflexive behavior, but still a warning about human behavioral sensitivity.
Response:
I agree with you totally. All this Politically Correct stuff has gone WAY too far. Unless everything is totally bland, it will offend somebody somewhere. Good! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’m afraid we’ve all become hyper-sensitive to anything that *should* be offensive by today’s standards of being so generic that nobody’s feelings get hurt. Am I alone here? Flector
Response:
I think you have pretty thin skin. The commercial is totally absurd, given that it costs $50K+ to climb and takes at least 2 months of your life to climb Everest, all so you can save $10-20 a day on a rental car. And its not like people who climb Everst don’t know what they are getting into. What I find frighteningand in bad taste is how some companies imply the use of ninja SWAT teams to invade private homes because the TV is too loud, or use said SWAT teams to stop some guy who likes to drive his car too much, is totally appropriate. I get really nervous when I see how the American people are being desentitized to potential tactics and atrocities of a police state. As Ben Franklin said, "those who trade essential freedom for temporary security deserve neither." – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I like to think that I have a pretty thick skin but this ad kind of shook me up and did not inspire me to rent a car from Budget. Anyone else see this ad. I’d be interested in hearing your impressions. — Greg Smith
Response:
It seems to me that many people increasingly imagine that they are possessed of a "Right Not to be Offended." These people place this supposed right as being of equal or greater importance than fundamental constitutional and human rights. A corollary right seems to be that anyone or anything deemed, in their sole unfettered judgment, to be a trespass on this supposed right not to be offended, is the right of the imagined victim and his or her supporters to quash, silence, exclude, ridicule, attack, destroy, vilify, slander, and humiliate the trespasser, as if the trespasser had thereby forfeited ALL rights, including fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, thought, and belief. This oppressive regime can most often be identified in the halls of academe, and in all forms of public discourse on certain "hot button" political topics. Its practitioners are vicious, and come form every political persuasion. However the greatest danger, I think, is that a diluted, more diluted form of this vitriol has percolated down to infect everyday political discourse, contributing to the increasing polarization, balkanization, and isolation evident in everyday life. In short, we have become more thin-skinned, less tolerant, and increasingly unable to cope with the daily rough and tumble of living in a diverse and dynamic society. There was a time when no one in the "mountaineering community" would have even thought to ask whether a TV ad would offend such a tiny fragment of the viewing audience, nor would anyone care if it did. Personally, I thought the spot was pretty funny. Perhaps advertising execs should be offended by their portrayal in the ad as being imprudent and "creatively challenged"? [of course, this isn't a direct response to Mr. Smith's simple, reasonable question about bad taste, but the subject did make me think off all the times I've seen the Politically Correct Thought Police "go off" over some silly or imagined offense, and that is obviously the topic I'm addressing] Jeff
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone seen the new Budget ads that portray ad execs brainstorming promotional ideas for car rental? In one segment, a guy suggests that they offer a free upgrade to Ford Explorer rentals to people who have climbed Everest. The video cuts to a shot of three climbers, half buried in snow and ice (two of them already frozen to death), then cuts back to the conference room where the execs decide it’s a bad idea. With the recent discovery of Mallory and Levine on Everest (not to mention hundreds of climbers worldwide who have died in a similar manner), does anyone else think this ad was in particularly bad taste? I like to think that I have a pretty thick skin but this ad kind of shook me up and did not inspire me to rent a car from Budget. Anyone else see this ad. I’d be interested in hearing your impressions. — Greg Smith
Response:
I think we all need to remember what it was like when we were allowed to have a sense of humor. I believe we’ve been programmed to become offended at anything less than political correctness. I love the Honda commercials and ads of the woman following the men who are venturing into the wilderness in their 4WD vehicle. I think it’s hilarious! But, who’s to say I shouldn’t be offended by the way the male species is portrayed. I think being able to laugh at ourselves is important. It doesn’t mean we can’t be serious about serious subjects when appropriate but, we can’t be outraged every time a demographic group gets teased a little. I’m afraid we’ve all become hyper-sensitive to anything that *should* be offensive by today’s standards of being so generic that nobody’s feelings get hurt. Am I alone here? Flector In article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone seen the new Budget ads that portray ad execs brainstorming promotional ideas for car rental? In one segment, a guy suggests that they offer a free upgrade to Ford Explorer rentals to people who have climbed Everest. The video cuts to a shot of three climbers, half buried in snow and ice (two of them already frozen to death), then cuts back to the conference room where the execs decide it’s a bad idea. With the recent discovery of Mallory and Levine on Everest (not to mention hundreds of climbers worldwide who have died in a similar manner), does anyone else think this ad was in particularly bad taste? I like to think that I have a pretty thick skin but this ad kind of shook me up and did not inspire me to rent a car from Budget. Anyone else see this ad. I’d be interested in hearing your impressions. — Greg Smith
Before you buy.
Response:
IMO it depends on personal interpretation. My initial reaction was of the possible legal repurcussions the ad might elicit. ( which seemed to come across even in the ad ). This ad seemed to step on enough toes to get folks talking about it. A successful ad? The execs know there’s thick skin out there and have to make the grade; even if it means causing some recrimination. I’d expect nothing less from an agency. Pavlov at work jr
Has anyone seen the new Budget ads that portray ad execs brainstorming promotional ideas for car rental snip< three climbers, half buried in snow and ice (two of them already frozen to death), then cuts back to (not to mention hundreds of climbers worldwide who have died in a similar
manner), does anyone else think this ad was in particularly bad taste? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I like to think that I have a pretty thick skin but this ad kind of shook me up and did not inspire me to rent a car from Budget. Anyone else see this ad. I’d be interested in hearing your impressions. — Greg Smith
Response:
<< I haven’t seen it, but it sounds funny. Ya, unless you’re Beck Weathers… Andy These are my opinions and I couldn’t care less if my employers disagree
Response:
It is more likely that Ford Explorer owners should be offended that the ad is an assault on their intelligence moreso than disrespectful/insensitive to climbers. As SUV’s come to look and perform more and more like a minivan instead of actual "utility vehicles", the ads will be directed at sparking adventurous fantasies in the hearts of couch potatos and soccer moms. Have you seen the First Aid kit in an Xterra? PLEASE.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone seen the new Budget ads that portray ad execs brainstorming promotional ideas for car rental? In one segment, a guy suggests that they offer a free upgrade to Ford Explorer rentals to people who have climbed Everest. The video cuts to a shot of three climbers, half buried in snow and ice (two of them already frozen to death), then cuts back to the conference room where the execs decide it’s a bad idea. With the recent discovery of Mallory and Levine on Everest (not to mention hundreds of climbers worldwide who have died in a similar manner), does anyone else think this ad was in particularly bad taste? I like to think that I have a pretty thick skin but this ad kind of shook me up and did not inspire me to rent a car from Budget. Anyone else see this ad. I’d be interested in hearing your impressions. — Greg Smith
Response:
Well you struck a nerve here. As a marketing weasel by trade, I love the ads. They entertain, they shock, and some of them make you laugh. Unlike the pointless Sprite ads of this summer, Budget is featured heavily in the ad so not only do you remember the commercial, but Budget – that means this is a very effective ad campaign. The one that I loved was with the bear cub. That is a GREAT one – however I was alarmed at how a bear cub was portrayed. Remember the audience, we eat, sleep and live the backcountry when we aren’t pounding on the keyboards. Most folks here know to never approach a bear cub and never feed a bear. I always thought the ad would be more humorous if the big momma black bear came along and disemboweled the guy (and it would should reality). To really answer your question, I find the picture of three people freezing to death disturbing, but not necessarily in poor taste. Showing the average American it’s OK to walk up to a bear cub and feed it, the worst that can happen is it will vomit in your face sends the wrong message. Have you seen the new one with the candles??? Now that’s a riot! — Take the -pants- off to e-mail David Obelcz http://www.outdoorplaces.com Your hiking, camping, paddling, travel place.
Response:
Has anyone seen the new Budget ads that portray ad execs brainstorming promotional ideas for car rental? In one segment, a guy suggests that they offer a free upgrade to Ford Explorer rentals to people who have climbed Everest. The video cuts to a shot of three climbers, half buried in snow and ice (two of them already frozen to death), then cuts back to the conference room where the execs decide it’s a bad idea. With the recent discovery of Mallory and Levine on Everest (not to mention hundreds of climbers worldwide who have died in a similar manner), does anyone else think this ad was in particularly bad taste? I like to think that I have a pretty thick skin but this ad kind of shook me up and did not inspire me to rent a car from Budget. Anyone else see this ad. I’d be interested in hearing your impressions.
The ad had the desired effect : it caused an emotional reaction while presenting the product. You’ll remember it far longer that way. The hard part for advertising is to get the audience to respond and pay attention, shock value is as good as any (if not better) way to do that, even if is in poor taste. Long after the original reason is forgotten, you’ll still recognize Budget more than the other companies – and they’ll have tipped the scales in their favor on who you’ll select on an impulse. They’d make ads skewering and roasting live babies over a campfire if it helped the shareholders pocketbooks. Stay tuned – more of the same to follow. JLG
Response:
Has anyone seen the new Budget ads that portray ad execs brainstorming promotional ideas for car rental? In one segment, a guy suggests that Nope. they offer a free upgrade to Ford Explorer rentals to people who have climbed Everest. The video cuts to a shot of three climbers, half buried in snow and ice (two of them already frozen to death), then cuts back to the conference room where the execs decide it’s a bad idea. With the recent discovery of Mallory and Levine on Everest (not to mention
Irvine. Andrew Irvine. hundreds of climbers worldwide who have died in a similar manner), does anyone else think this ad was in particularly bad taste?
Not particularly. I like to think that I have a pretty thick skin but this ad kind of shook me up and did not inspire me to rent a car from Budget. Anyone else see this ad. I’d be interested in hearing your impressions.
Oh, I’m not too worried about it. Are you related to Mallory (clearly can’t be Irvine)? Climbing is a far tackier pursuit than any TV ad. I won’t stop renting Budget rent-a-ars. There was a Mountain article years back entitled: A Morbid Pursuit. Rent "Tucker" by Francis Ford Coppola. "And I want to serve lunch, roast beef, very rare, blood red….." Ad agencies are really clueless. Don’t worry about them.
Response:
Has anyone seen the new Budget ads that portray ad execs brainstorming promotional ideas for car rental? In one segment, a guy suggests that they offer a free upgrade to Ford Explorer rentals to people who have climbed Everest. The video cuts to a shot of three climbers, half buried in snow and ice (two of them already frozen to death), then cuts back to the conference room where the execs decide it’s a bad idea. With the recent discovery of Mallory and Levine on Everest (not to mention hundreds of climbers worldwide who have died in a similar manner), does anyone else think this ad was in particularly bad taste? I like to think that I have a pretty thick skin but this ad kind of shook me up and did not inspire me to rent a car from Budget. Anyone else see this ad. I’d be interested in hearing your impressions.
I haven’t seen it, but it sounds funny. a.
Response:
I agree I thought the same thing. And while agree w/ one of the previous posts it does make remember the ad, it will also cause me to walk to the next counter and rent from someone else. Not that I rent a lot of cars but they have made a unfavorable impression. I would never suggest they pull the ads because I am sure others get a kick out of it. To each their own – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone seen the new Budget ads that portray ad execs brainstorming promotional ideas for car rental? In one segment, a guy suggests that they offer a free upgrade to Ford Explorer rentals to people who have climbed Everest. The video cuts to a shot of three climbers, half buried in snow and ice (two of them already frozen to death), then cuts back to the conference room where the execs decide it’s a bad idea. With the recent discovery of Mallory and Levine on Everest (not to mention hundreds of climbers worldwide who have died in a similar manner), does anyone else think this ad was in particularly bad taste? I like to think that I have a pretty thick skin but this ad kind of shook me up and did not inspire me to rent a car from Budget. Anyone else see this ad. I’d be interested in hearing your impressions.
Response:
Has anyone seen the new Budget ads that portray ad execs brainstorming promotional ideas for car rental? In one segment, a guy suggests that they offer a free upgrade to Ford Explorer rentals to people who have climbed Everest. The video cuts to a shot of three climbers, half buried in snow and ice (two of them already frozen to death), then cuts back to the conference room where the execs decide it’s a bad idea. With the recent discovery of Mallory and Levine on Everest (not to mention hundreds of climbers worldwide who have died in a similar manner), does anyone else think this ad was in particularly bad taste? I like to think that I have a pretty thick skin but this ad kind of shook me up and did not inspire me to rent a car from Budget. Anyone else see this ad. I’d be interested in hearing your impressions. — Greg Smith
Response:
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