The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]


Beware Of The Initials …
November 18, 2010, 6:23 am
Filed under: Comment

I’m not big on things like ‘naming strategy’ – at least not in the approach certain brand consultancies endorse.

Sure, you want to make sure it doesn’t translate into “Granny Fucker” in Spanish or something, but having been mind-raped by Landor and their ‘proprietary naming process’ [which seemed awfully like putting words into a thesaurus and printing off whatever came out] I can’t help but feel a lot of what is often put forward is nothing more than an excuse in money making.

Saying that, I’ve recently seen something that highlighted that naming fuck ups can be much more than just how it translates into a foreign language – though by the same token, it could also be the greatest pisstake in corporate history.

So I was flicking through a magazine last week when I came across an ad for the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

Basically it was an ad advocating that women who wish to undergo cosmetic treatment should do so with a surgeon registered with the organisation.

So far so good – but then I realised the initials of the body were BAAPS, which is – albeit wrongly spelt – slang for women who have these …

Now I don’t know if that was intentional or not – I would assume given its the medical industry and they don’t do humour, it wasn’t – but I think it’s genius and hope to god they start doing ads that say:

Hey ladies, it you want some perky tits, make sure you have a good look at BAAPS.

Mind you, the Shanghai International Trust is giving them a run for their money with their brilliant acronym of S. H. I. T.

So it’s time to forget such theories as truth in advertising, it would appear the future is all about truth in acronym – which should make Landor happy, as I’m sure there’s a proprietary tool they can create to make an obscene amount of cash out of.


82 Comments so far
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I don’t know what’s funnier, B.A.A.P.S, S.H.I.T or the whole approach Landor and the like have towards naming strategy process.

Comment by Pete

Research has found baaps bring much more enjoyment to people’s faces than shit or landor.

Comment by DH

I don’t know what you and Sarah are into, but baaps and shit should never be next to each other.

Comment by Billy Whizz

Unless you like 2 girls & 1 cup.

Comment by Billy Whizz

The cup was your girlfriend wasn’t she?

Comment by Pete

Everyone’s a comedian today.

Comment by Billy Whizz

Planning
Regurgitates
Idiotic
Consumer
Klaims
Sometimes

And fuck you about my spelling.

Comment by Billy Whizz

I bet you spent ages coming up with that didn’t you Billy.

Comment by DH

No, I’m naturally quick witted.

Comment by Billy Whizz

Americas answer to Stephen Fry.

Comment by George

George goes all Andylike. Nice.

Comment by DH

what the fuck is everyone on here so early for? havent you sad fucks got a life? and why is george being a bastard? isnt that sackable in mountain view? and billy, youre making yourself look a twat, stop it and thank me for the fucking advice.

Comment by andy@cynic

didnt you know dave that george always wanted to be me. dont you fucking all.

Comment by andy@cynic

Billy’s
Invention
Lacking
Laughs
Yet

Comment by John

Posh looks like Iggy Pop with bad baaps in that photo.

Comment by DH

Very droll.

Quick question, how many people knew the “baps/baaps” colloquialism? Obviously the British association of aesthetic plastic surgeons didn’t.

Comment by George

You like Dave’s comment but not mine? Your taste is up you ass.

Comment by Billy Whizz

You’re working in another league Billy. I’ll leave you to ascertain which one that is.

Comment by George

If you need help to work it out Billy, I’m available to guide you.

Comment by DH

Yeah Dave, come work out the shit I want to lay on your desk.

Comment by Billy Whizz

I knew the bap/bapps slang George.

Comment by Pete

Very good Dave, mainly because it’s true.

Comment by Rob

Slow day in paradise methinks.

Comment by John

Incidentally you don’t want to know what tmoaos means in swahili. It’s quite ironic really.

Comment by John

i dont know what tmoaos means in fucking engligh doddsy but stop being a fucking little prick and cough it up.

Comment by andy@cynic

I think he means ‘tomato’ Andy, but to be fair to John, it must be hard typing with only one hand. Ha.

Comment by Rob

It’s swahili for gullible.

Comment by John

baaps and shit is fucking brilliant. finally campbell writes something good even though he just copied something someone else did. who the fuck do you think you are campbell, bbh labs?

Comment by andy@cynic

You take it to a whole new level of spitefulness. I’m impressed.

Comment by Rob

i have never heard or even see the term ‘baaps’ before today. i can’t think why. i feel like i’ve just accidentally walked into the boys club again. ha.

Comment by lauren

little boys club.

Comment by andy@cynic

Kindergarten you mean.

Comment by Rob

Very concerned that George has become some sick witted bastard. I can only conclude Mary is away and he’s in charge of his 3 “beautiful nightmares”.

Comment by Rob

she is. best fucking bit of planning youve ever managed to pull off.

Comment by andy@cynic

Landor are charter members of the Cambridge University Naval Training Squadron. Do they still have their offices on a boat? If so someone should blow it the fuck up. Sorry. #iamspartacus

Comment by simon billing

why the fuck does cambridge university have a fucking naval training squadron in the first place, theres no fucking sea for fucking miles.
and landor are charter members of the bollocks? proves how fucking stupid those wankers really are.

Comment by andy@cynic

I wholeheartedly endorse Simon and Andy’s comments.

Comment by Rob

C.*.*.T.S.

Comment by simon billing

Just so you know Simon, I edited your comment because that’s the only word that’s not allowed on this blog. It’s bad enough my poor Mum has to put up with all of Andy’s “FUCKS” but the ‘c’ word is a whole different level.

Apologies for my lovingsoniness.

Comment by Rob

Maybe the learning is that there’s less chance of reputation impact if a brand chooses a name that is automatically offensive, irrespective of initials.

Comment by Lee Hill

You would say that wouldn’t you. Ha.

Comment by Rob

What happened to the wrath of Mary? Perhaps we’ll just notice the disappearances. Be afraid.

Comment by John

She attacks when you least expect it. I’m safe, I always expect it.

Comment by Rob

Angry
Narcissistic
Drawing
Yokel

Comment by Rob Mortimer

😉

Comment by Rob Mortimer

Randomly
Observant
But

Comical

Comment by Rob Mortimer

No
Other
Rounded
Thinker
Has
Exploded
Re:
Negativity

Comment by Rob Mortimer

This is tougher than it looks… nothing about Tea seemed to fit!

Comment by Rob Mortimer

No it’s not

Natatation+
Offspring+
Rigour+
Tea
Help
Enlighten
Regional
Numpties

Comment by John

Good, but mine is actually a sentence!

Comment by Rob Mortimer

The plusses arent silent you know.

Comment by John

Yes but it’s multiple words!!

Comment by Rob Mortimer

Quiet day at the office Mr M?

Comment by Rob

Not as such, just enjoying a tea break while checking my favourite ad blogs.

And yours 😉

Comment by Rob Mortimer

not when I’m singing it’s not

Comment by andreea

Twats
Believing
Whatever
A Media Arts chart tells them

Comment by northern

Brilliant. Now do Sorrell.

Comment by John

You’ll be giving Andy the horn again Northern ….

Comment by Rob

I don’t have the strength for this.

Comment by Marcus

Munich’s
Amazingly
Respected
Crazy, but
Understated
Superstar

Comment by Rob Mortimer

Neither do I – but it is quite impressive.

Comment by Rob

Media planning
Is done by
Numpties
Devoid of brains
Selling a ‘process’
Hard
And
Really ‘owning’ borrowed interest while
Endlessly bashing out powerpoint

Comment by northern

Silly little man
Owns half the world on a
Really bad Napolean Syndrome
Really good (he thinks)at
Economics predictions that have to
Look like letters or bathing furniture
L

Comment by northern

Forget the last L –
Likes libel lawyers. A lot

Comment by northern

And yes I have lots to do. Obviously, I’m putting off doing it

Comment by northern

Northern is simultaniously putting half his future employers off whilst making the other half do a little dance in anticipation at what he will bring them.

Comment by Rob Mortimer

I am very impressed with this – and on the bright side, even if Northern does become adlands social outcast, he’ll still get a job at W+K, afterall they employed me.

Comment by Rob

Doesn’t matter, no one with any sense reads this blog anyway

Comment by northern

Touche’

Comment by Rob Mortimer

Let’s hope your wife doesn’t given the ‘bored housewife / office porn’ comments of the past.

Comment by Rob

She’s a very understanding woman

Comment by northern

I’ve just read you thing NP. Thank you for the kind words.

Comment by The Kaiser

She has to be.

Comment by Rob

Not kind, just true

Comment by northern

Still. Thank you anyway.

Comment by The Kaiser

i

d
o
n
t

g
i
v
e

a

f
u
c
k

thats much fucking easier to do.

Comment by andy@cynic

C
O
C
K

Comment by The Kaiser

t
e
n

i
n
c
h
e
s

o
n

t
h
e

s
l
a
c
k

i
f

y
o
u

m
u
s
t

f
u
c
k
i
n
g

k
n
o
w

Comment by andy@cynic

Haven’t you got a building reconstruction to inspect?

Comment by Rob

no. but ive got a fucking planners nose to smash down.

Comment by andy@cynic

It’s like being on the Melody Maker Message Board circa 1998…

I love Placebo!
I hate Placebo!
etc

Comment by Rob Mortimer

i fucking hated placebo. but not as much as fucking queen.

Comment by andy@cynic




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