Okay, so I am the only one without a sense of humour.
I found Freedom Furniture's television 'peeping adults' advertising disturbing.
Invading the privacy of a young couple to perv at a lounge and carpet square was the funny/edgy/cut through advertising Freedom needed over the holiday period.
It was designed by the fancy Saatchi ad agency in Sydney.
The old couple are noticing the lounge, not staring at private behaviour and undressing. Saatchi and Freedom worked closely with the Commercial Association to make an edgy, humorous ad that would be acceptable in various timeslots - through from G rated to the M rated version.
I accept that anything goes on television, however, I have no choice about the ads they play on high rotation in programs I choose to watch.
Ads trivialising adults peeping into some elses property is sick, regardless of how funny/edgy/cut through the agency intended it to be.
Freedom's marketing representative rang to politely defend the campaign which has people flocking into Freedom wanting to buy the lounge and carpet square.
The current Managing Director of Freedom Furniture was kind enough to take my call expressing an alternate view about the series.
We agreed to disagree agreeably.
I acknowledge there was no intention to trivialise offensive behaviour.
I hope the success of Steinhoff Asia Pacific's campaign attracting people to shop at Freedom does not motivate a copycat humourous, 'invading privacy' advertising formula.
(Some references removed as there is a new MD at Freedom.)
4 January 2012
Advertiser really is committed to your privacy
Steinhoff Asia Pacific claims they respect your privacy.
Their website promises they are truly ruly "fully committed to your privacy."
So why is (Freedom) bombarding families with offensive advertising, featuring an elderly couple invading the privacy of others?
Do the owners of Freedom and Snooze stores want to get a message out that peeping neighbours are welcome at their shops?
Steinhoff funded a holiday advertising blitz for all ages to enjoy.
...
...
I have no intention of going near Freedom or Snooze stores if that's how its owners respect neighbours, friends and customers.
"Fully committed to your privacy" they claim.
Yuk! It is the start of a disgusting copycat advertising theme.
Freedom will claim huge success and fund a series of follow up ads.
Will they feature different staff invading the privacy of others, peeking in through their windows to see what they bought at Snooze or Freedom?
Will customers be treated in such a humourous manner shopping at Freedom or Snooze?
No comments:
Post a Comment