I rarely, as in once a year, read Bob Garfield’s column in AdAge. I avoid it for a couple of reasons. First, I find that – like the billions of you out there that refuse to read The AdHole – reading other folks’ thoughts on advertising gets a bit tiresome. Second, and more of an issue, I tend to think he’s a bit of a twit.
Case in point: Bob’s May 26 column about the new Random Acts of Cheetos campaign from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.
Now, I’ll admit that the new campaign isn’t the best to ever come out of Goodby. But it’s not horrific, either. And at least it doesn’t scream at you like so many other chips/candy bars/soda/energy drinks/politicians.
Here’s a sample:
Okay, it’s no “Aaron Burr” from the “Got Milk?” campaign, but come on. Do you think any of these statements of Bob’s make much sense:
“It’s cynical and disgusting.”
“”¦there is another word for Random Acts of Cheetos: vandalism.”
“Can you see how this is all destined to lead to litigation? Or worse? Can you see how ethically bankrupt it is — Frito-Lay in the role of Ken Lay?”
Ken Lay? What? I don’t even get that connection. Wait. Because now Frito-Lay is ethically bankrupt like the disgraced and convicted former Enron CEO? Oh. Okay. Long way to go for a joke, Bob. And I know the long way around a joke. I write radio spots.
But my real question is this: Is this really the worst piece of advertising Bob can find against which to rail? Does he really believe people are going to watch this ad and then go commit horrid acts of corn puff-based hooliganism? Well, okay, some will. That happens. But if people can sell backyard wrestling videos with little fear of legal reprisal, I doubt Frito-Lay’s lawyers are too concerned.
And ethically bankrupt? Please. I don’t particularly fear the day when I have to explain to my now four-month-old son why he shouldn’t smash Cheetos in his sister’s MacBook (well, at least not from an ad-based standpoint). I do wonder how I’ll explain Victoria’s Secret ads or Abercrombie’s tweener porn or the 2020 version of OMFG.
A little corn chip tomfoolery I can handle.
Blatant Acts of Lecherous Commerce aimed at my kiddos’ eyeballs, not so much.
Later,
Fox
Case in point: Bob’s May 26 column about the new Random Acts of Cheetos campaign from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.
Now, I’ll admit that the new campaign isn’t the best to ever come out of Goodby. But it’s not horrific, either. And at least it doesn’t scream at you like so many other chips/candy bars/soda/energy drinks/politicians.
Here’s a sample:
Okay, it’s no “Aaron Burr” from the “Got Milk?” campaign, but come on. Do you think any of these statements of Bob’s make much sense:
“It’s cynical and disgusting.”
“”¦there is another word for Random Acts of Cheetos: vandalism.”
“Can you see how this is all destined to lead to litigation? Or worse? Can you see how ethically bankrupt it is — Frito-Lay in the role of Ken Lay?”
Ken Lay? What? I don’t even get that connection. Wait. Because now Frito-Lay is ethically bankrupt like the disgraced and convicted former Enron CEO? Oh. Okay. Long way to go for a joke, Bob. And I know the long way around a joke. I write radio spots.
But my real question is this: Is this really the worst piece of advertising Bob can find against which to rail? Does he really believe people are going to watch this ad and then go commit horrid acts of corn puff-based hooliganism? Well, okay, some will. That happens. But if people can sell backyard wrestling videos with little fear of legal reprisal, I doubt Frito-Lay’s lawyers are too concerned.
And ethically bankrupt? Please. I don’t particularly fear the day when I have to explain to my now four-month-old son why he shouldn’t smash Cheetos in his sister’s MacBook (well, at least not from an ad-based standpoint). I do wonder how I’ll explain Victoria’s Secret ads or Abercrombie’s tweener porn or the 2020 version of OMFG.
A little corn chip tomfoolery I can handle.
Blatant Acts of Lecherous Commerce aimed at my kiddos’ eyeballs, not so much.
Later,
Fox
I love these spots. Garfield is a windsock.