The Mars Inc. commercial featured a speed walker being harassed by Mr. T to become a “real man.” It was targeted by The Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The Heinz Company commercial, which featured a two dad household, was targeted by The American Family Association, which is a Christian activist group. Neither advertisement aired in the United States.
"People in the U.S. tend to be very reactive," Gerry Moira, creative chairman of Euro RSCG, London, told Advertising Age. "Everybody there belongs to a minority — even if there are millions of them.”
One spokesperson for Stonewall, a U.K. gay-rights group, reportedly said the Mars Inc. ad seemed "harmless" and that there was “no suggestion [the speed walker] was gay.” In fact, not even one U.K. gay rights group was bothered by the ad.
All in all, it seems neither the HRC (nor the American Family Association on the opposite end of the spectrum) pressure on companies has made much of a statement for homosexuals or family values. Both groups have, however, made a statement about Americans.
For more some other views, see this post, which includes an interview with Mr. T, and this post for the Heinz ad. The latter, which offended some conservatives and some homosexuals in the United States, received a mere 200 complaints in the U.K. where it aired.
Personally, I think we’re getting ban happy. It’s just too easy to call something like this ad something it’s not.
2 comments:
Using humor is very tricky because of its subjective nature.
My initial thoughts after watching it were "How does this ad sell the product? Where's the motivation? Who is the intended audience?"
This TV spot is simply another dumb commercial.
I'm quite happy to know it won't air in the U.S. because we already have enough stupid ads, we don't need another one!
Hey Chief,
I would agree with you that it's not the funniest nor even most clever advertisement out there (but I do like it much better than the "Feast" commercials for Snickers).
Still, from what some people were saying about the banned advertisement, it resonated in the U.K. market where is aired. I don't know, but the show is probably airing there, which keeps Mr. T top of mind.
Best,
Rich
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