OK … so judging by so many of the commercials out there, ads that put people off is hardly a new phenomenon but I’m pretty sure the misguided fools behind some of those brain-raping ads actually think they will work … which shows just how deluded and out-of-touch with the real world [and their audience] they really are.
However I recently spotted an ad that no one … not even the most brain ravaged, financially destitute, village idiot … could think would generate a response.
What the fuck is that photograph?
I honestly can’t tell if it’s supposed to be some spiritual leader or a mass murderer in San Quentin high security jail.
To be fair, if it was just the headline – and maybe the body copy – it could probably attract some interest, but that photo basically scares people away and even if people click on it out of curiosity, there is no way in fucking hell you’d trust this company to give you any financial advice you’d actually trust.
So why do it?
No idea … maybe the person behind it wanted to take the piss like my recent Facebook ad campaign where basically I threw some cash down the drain under the guise of ‘research’.
But then maybe I’m wrong.
Maybe this ‘campaign’ has been hugely successful.
Maybe they’ve made a bloody fortune from this horror.
Maybe TBWA are behind it and it’s another example of their new take on ‘disruption’ … which seemingly is just about grabbing attention, regardless of the impression it makes.
I must admit I hope it isn’t … not just because underneath it all, I quite like TBWA [or at least bits of them] but because if this monstrosity has worked, then the whole ad industry might as well pack up and go home because we’re dead and buried and that means I’ll have to get myself a proper job and I’m literally qualified for nothing.
Except maybe being a Birkenstock salesman … selling shoes to people who look awfully like the man in the ad above.