Home » Weekly Ad Round-Up: The Good, The Bad & The “What The Hell Were They Thinking?”

15 May, 2015

Weekly Ad Round-Up: The Good, The Bad & The “What The Hell Were They Thinking?”

In this fast paced marketing world, there are some ads that wow us and then there are ones that make us want to quit our jobs and join the circus. Here is B&T’s weekly roundup of the best, the worst and the WTF of this week in advertising.

The Good

The recent campaigns from Coca-Cola are making us feel all warm and fuzzy. In Mexico, Coke and ad agency Anónimo have created Braille versions of the “Share a Coke” campaign.

The campaign was originally available to blind and visually impaired people learning at a private nonprofit that helps train them to go into the workforce. Coke installed vending machines that dispensed personalised cans in Braille, allowing the people at the centre to experience the “Share a Coke” phenomenon.

Braille cans are now available at Coca-Cola’s customisation centres around Mexico. Hopefully the campaign hits our shores.

The Bad

When will male sporting teams learn that sexism isn’t funny? Earlier this week US basketball team, Cleveland Cavaliers, were in hot water after releasing a promo video which was accused of glorifying violence.

The video, which debuted during a playoff game, showed a man throwing his girlfriend across a room for not supporting his team and wearing a Chicago Bulls T-shirt.

The Cleveland Cavs released a statement saying that they didn’t realise chucking a woman across a room isn’t actually funny. “While the video was not intended to be offensive, it was a mistake to include content that made light of domestic violence”

“We sincerely apologise to those who have been affected by domestic violence for the obvious negative feelings caused by being exposed to this insensitive video.”

The WTF

Last week, McDonalds unveiled the new and improved Hamburglar. The internet couldn’t decide if he was creepy sexpest, a pro-wrestler or actually super good looking.

Either way, his first ad was disappointing and confusing. This guy is meant to be a badass burglar, but it seems to be more like a suburban dad who has lost his marbles and is living out some weird McDonald’s fantasy.

McD's is after me (apparently, so is my wife)! Tweet #RobbleRobble to keep them off my trail. https://t.co/JBVThrmHir
— McDonald's (@McDonalds) May 12, 2015

The new Hamburglar barely mentions the latest burger, instead he spends the majority of the ad being nagged by his wife. I think the joke is meant to be “haha women are so annoying”, because we’re back in the 1950s.

Twitter didn’t respond well to the latest teaser ads:

I don't know who the tool is doing the new #McDonalds commercials but he does NOT make me want to go there & buy a sirloin burger. #AdFail
— Craig D. Schroepfer (@CDSWCCO) May 14, 2015

@McDonalds omg that new Hamburglar is creepy af #creepy #RobbleRobble #RUN
— Sara Maria Dally (@sardonnica) May 12, 2015

.@McDonalds wants us to help a man abandon his family so he can indulge in a costumed fantasy.
— Twiττer's Good Boy (@twitersgoodboy) May 12, 2015

Sexist new @McDonalds promo perpetuates the stereotype of the "nagging" wife. #RobbleRobble #Sexism #YesAllWomen
— Brave New Films (@bravenewfilms) May 13, 2015

Also what the hell does “robble, robble” even mean?

Tune in next week, for what’s turning us on and what’s freaking us out about the advertising world.

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